Awakened Love: A Journey Through Sacred Romance and Divine Intimacy
- Be God's Glory
- Jul 17
- 11 min read
Welcome to Day 199 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Songs of Songs. Chapters 1–4 of Song of Songs portray a poetic and passionate dialogue between lovers, most often interpreted as Solomon and the Shulammite woman. These early chapters form a tapestry of admiration, longing, and mutual delight, interweaving themes of romantic love, emotional connection, and spiritual symbolism. The lovers express desire and commitment with increasing intensity, with vivid metaphors drawn from nature, perfume, and royal imagery. Beneath the romantic surface, many theologians also view the text as an allegory of the covenant relationship between God and His people—or Christ and the Church—highlighting the beauty of faithful love, mutual pursuit, and spiritual intimacy. These chapters lay a foundation for how love can be both holy and expressive, emphasizing pursuit, purity, and praise in a God-honoring relationship.
Song of Songs 1 opens with the Shulammite woman passionately expressing her desire for the king, longing for the intimacy of his love which she compares to the sweetness of wine and fragrant oils (v. 2–3). She feels self-conscious about her appearance due to her sun-darkened skin (v. 5–6), a result of hard labor in the vineyards, yet she invites the king’s attention, revealing vulnerability and longing for acceptance. The man affirms her beauty, calling her “my darling” and comparing her to a “mare among Pharaoh’s chariots” (v. 9), a compliment of strength, rarity, and elegance. Their mutual admiration builds as she compares their closeness to the scent of myrrh resting on her chest (v. 13), indicating cherished nearness. The chapter sets the tone for emotional and physical desire balanced by respect and poetic expression. It highlights the beginning of pursuit and courtship in love.
The Songs of Songs 2 begins with the woman identifying herself as a “rose of Sharon” and a “lily of the valleys,” signifying both humility and beauty (v. 1). Her beloved elevates her above others, calling her a “lily among thorns” (v. 2), symbolizing her uniqueness and purity. She joyfully reflects on being brought into his “banquet hall,” expressing safety and delight in his love (v. 4). The passage includes the well-known caution: “Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires” (v. 7), emphasizing the importance of timing and restraint in romantic love. The man arrives “leaping over mountains” to pursue her (v. 8–9), a dramatic image of joyful pursuit and eagerness. As springtime awakens creation, the lover calls her to arise and join him (v. 10–13), reflecting how love invites us into a season of blossoming intimacy, joy, and readiness.
Chapter 3 explores the woman’s deep yearning for her beloved, describing her dream-like search for him at night (v. 1–3). Unable to find him, she roams the city streets and eventually finds him, refusing to let him go until she brings him into her mother’s house (v. 4), symbolizing a desire for lasting union and familial affirmation. The repetition of the charge not to awaken love before its time (v. 5) again emphasizes the sacred pacing of love and desire. The latter half of the chapter shifts to a vivid scene of Solomon’s royal procession, complete with a palanquin and an entourage of warriors (v. 6–11), highlighting the grandeur and protection surrounding covenantal love. The bridal imagery reflects not only majesty and celebration but also permanence and public recognition of their union. Together, these images portray a love that is both intimate and celebrated.
Chapter 4 is a lyrical celebration of the woman’s beauty from the perspective of her beloved. He praises her eyes, hair, lips, neck, and entire form using rich metaphors from nature and royal imagery—such as doves, goats, pomegranates, and towers (v. 1–5)—to express admiration and delight. His words affirm her value and elevate her, seeing no flaw in her (v. 7), reinforcing the biblical principle that true love sees through a lens of grace. He invites her to come with him from the wilderness (v. 8), symbolizing a movement from isolation to intimacy. The garden imagery that follows (v. 12–15) speaks to her purity and the sealed nature of her love—reserved, sacred, and ready to be shared in covenant. The chapter closes with her invitation for him to enter her garden (v. 16), signaling a mutual readiness to fully consummate their love, with joy, purity, and mutual delight.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The title Song of Songs (also known as Song of Solomon or Canticles) comes from the Hebrew phrase “Shir HaShirim”, which means “the greatest of songs” or “the most excellent song.” This superlative construction mirrors other Hebrew expressions (like “King of kings”), emphasizing its supreme status among songs. The name reflects the book’s lyrical and poetic nature, presenting it as Solomon’s finest composition out of the 1,005 songs he is said to have written (1 Kings 4:32).
Purpose of the Book:
The primary purpose of Song of Songs is to celebrate the beauty, intensity, and sacredness of love between a man and a woman. On the surface, it is a romantic and poetic dialogue expressing desire, affection, and delight in a covenant relationship. On a deeper level, many theologians interpret it as an allegory of God's covenant love for Israel or Christ’s love for the Church (see Ephesians 5:25–33). The book uplifts physical love within the boundaries of marriage while also reflecting the intimacy and joy found in a faithful relationship with God.
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
Traditionally, King Solomon is believed to have authored Song of Songs, as stated in the opening verse: “The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s” (Song 1:1). This attribution is supported by internal references to royal settings, cities associated with Solomon (like Jerusalem, Lebanon, and Tirzah), and imagery involving grandeur, vineyards, and luxury—consistent with Solomon’s reign and wealth. Additionally, Solomon’s literary reputation is noted in 1 Kings 4:32, which records that he wrote many proverbs and over a thousand songs. While some scholars suggest the possibility of a later author writing in Solomon’s name or style, early Jewish and Christian tradition consistently ascribes the work to Solomon. The Talmud (Tractate Megillah 7a) and early church fathers, including Origen and Jerome, also affirm Solomonic authorship.
Key People:
The Shulammite woman – the female protagonist and beloved; her voice dominates much of the book. She represents a woman of strength, beauty, and longing.
The Beloved (often interpreted as Solomon) – the male speaker who passionately pursues and praises the Shulammite.
The Daughters of Jerusalem – a chorus or group of women who occasionally interact with the Shulammite, offering commentary and witnessing the progression of love.
Watchmen and Guards – minor characters symbolizing external challenges or boundaries encountered in love and longing.
Conclusion
Song of Songs is a poetic masterpiece that extols the beauty of love, emotional intimacy, and mutual desire in a committed relationship. Whether read as a celebration of marital love or as a spiritual allegory of God’s divine affection, the book upholds love as powerful, pure, and worthy of deep honor. It stands out in Scripture for its rich imagery and tender language, boldly affirming that true love is both deeply personal and profoundly sacred: “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away” (Song 8:7). Ultimately, the book calls readers to recognize the depth of faithful love—between spouses, and between humanity and God.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:
In Songs of Songs 1, although God is not directly mentioned by name in this chapter, His character is reflected through the themes of intimacy, beauty, and covenant love. The mutual admiration and longing between the lovers reveal a God who designed love to be expressive, honoring, and full of delight. God's character is seen as one who values both emotional connection and physical purity, showing that deep love is not only allowed but celebrated within the right context. This mirrors God’s desire for His people to experience closeness, affirmation, and belonging in their relationship with Him and one another.
The lesson in this chapter is that true love begins with admiration, honor, and pursuit rooted in covenant. God teaches us to long for connection that values identity and affirms worth—just as the beloved values the Shulammite despite her insecurities. His design for love involves not only physical attraction but emotional safety and spiritual trust.
God's character is reflected in Songs of Songs 2 through the imagery of creation and renewal. As the lover calls the woman to “rise up” and join him during springtime, we see God as a God of new beginnings and seasons of flourishing. He is inviting, patient, and desirous of intimate fellowship that grows with time. The imagery suggests God’s gentle pursuit of His people and the joy He takes in drawing them into relationship.
This chapter teaches the importance of timing and waiting for love to mature in its proper season, as emphasized by the repeated warning not to awaken love before its time. God teaches us to cherish love with wisdom, to be patient in its unfolding, and to recognize the sacredness of relationships built on mutual readiness and respect.
In Songs of Songs 3, God is portrayed through the longing and seeking expressed by the woman as she searches for her beloved. This reflects the seeking heart of God and His responsiveness to those who earnestly desire communion with Him. God is near to the searching soul, faithful to reveal Himself when we pursue Him with sincere hearts. His character is loving, present, and secure, like the one whom the woman finds and brings into her mother’s house—symbolizing union and belonging.
The lesson in this chapter centers on the perseverance of love and the reward of seeking with intentionality. God affirms that when we pursue love (and Him) sincerely and persistently, He honors our desire with fulfillment and closeness. He also teaches us that true love is not reckless—it’s purposeful, cherished, and protected.
In Songs of Songs 4, God’s character is mirrored in the beloved’s affirmation of the woman’s beauty and purity. Just as the lover sees no flaw in her (v. 7), God sees His people through a lens of grace and delight. He speaks identity over us, not based on our imperfections, but on our position as beloved and cherished. The garden imagery reflects how God sees our hearts—cultivated, reserved, and sacred.
God teaches that love should be honoring, affirming, and tender. This chapter reminds us that God not only calls us into intimacy with Him but does so with gentleness and joy. He teaches us to see others through His eyes and to treat love as a gift that is treasured and holy.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
How is God’s nature as a pursuer reflected in the mutual longing between the lovers in Song of Songs 1–2?
In what ways does God's affirmation of our worth echo the beloved's praise of the Shulammite in chapter 4?
How does God’s tenderness and gentleness toward His people appear in the poetic descriptions throughout these chapters?
What do these chapters teach us about God’s view of emotional and physical intimacy within a covenant relationship?
How is God's faithfulness mirrored in the devotion and security expressed between the lovers?
What does the restraint shown in “Do not awaken love until it desires” reveal about God’s wisdom in the timing of love?
How does the imagery of protection, celebration, and pursuit reflect God’s protective and joyful role in our spiritual relationship with Him?
Questions About Themes:
What role does longing and pursuit play in the development of intimacy in these chapters, and how is it portrayed poetically?
How does the theme of beauty—both internal and external—shape the way love is expressed in Song of Songs 1–4?
In what ways does the theme of timing influence the way love unfolds throughout these chapters?
How is mutual respect and admiration demonstrated between the two lovers?
How does the theme of garden imagery relate to purity, readiness, and covenantal love?
What does the use of natural metaphors (spring, vineyards, animals) teach us about the organic and growing nature of love?
How is public celebration (e.g., Solomon’s procession) contrasted with private, intimate longing in the text?
Reflective Application Questions:
How do I respond to God's pursuit of me the way the Shulammite responded to her beloved?
In what areas of my life do I need to wait on God's timing, especially in relationships or emotional desires?
Do I view myself as cherished and beautiful in God's eyes, like the beloved was seen by her lover?
How can I cultivate purity and readiness in my own heart like a “locked garden” (Song 4:12)?
What practical steps can I take to express honor and respect in my relationships, following the example in these chapters?
When I feel distant from God, do I seek Him with the same determination as the woman searching in the night (Song 3:1–4)?
How can I better celebrate the sacredness of love—whether in friendship, marriage, or my relationship with Christ?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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