Description
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What you get with the Song of Songs Bible Atlas:
- 9 high definition maps in 3D
- All created just to illustrate the story behind the Song of Songs
Sample map in Song of Songs
Rate this Bible book PG for sexual matters
It took Christians nearly 2,000 years to admit that the Song of Songs is a book with no mention of God—but with a lot of sex-talk. An awful lot.
That’s why some Jewish scholars argued against adding it to their Bible, which Christians usually call the Old Testament or the First Testament.
Other Jews said we shouldn’t take the book literally, but should take it as a metaphor, kinda like a parable.
So, they argued, the Song of Songs isn’t the story of a love-hungry young man telling his lady how beautiful she is and that he is going to climb her like a palm tree.
Instead, it’s God expressing his love for the Jewish people.
If so, God sure did love them. Love, love, love.
Love talk or God talk?
The Jewish scholars said that the man in the story represents God and the woman represents the nation of Israel. The various places where they make love represent the land of Israel. And the man kissing the woman is God giving the Jewish people the laws they need to live a happy and blessed life.
Christians seemed to like that idea. So, they adapted it to their beliefs. Christian scholars said the woman in the Song of Songs represented the church, not the Jewish people. And the man represented Jesus, who loves the church.
So, it was Jesus speaking to the church and saying:
“Sugar Lips, my bride,
I taste honey and sweet milk under your tongue” (Song of Songs 4:11).
It wasn’t until the 1800s that Jewish and Christian scholars started introducing the idea that the allegorical interpretation of past centuries was wrong.
They said a kiss is a kiss, a tongue is a tongue, and two breasts fragrant with frankincense made up a double dose of the real deal and a genuine cause for a man in love to shout his Hallelujah.
A modern approach to the book argues that passionate love expressed in love talk and in the love dances is God-sanctioned. Sex isn’t just fun. It’s good and godly fun. Hallelujah.
But the Song can make for an awkward sermon and embarrassing moments in a Bible study. Yet, it doesn’t have to. Love is a good thing. Still, sometimes people need to get a room.
In addition to the Song of Songs Bible Atlas
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