Is Song of Solomon related to Christ and the church?

[IamPJ]

I have read that the Song of Solomon is supposedly representing the relationship of Christ and the church. How can this be when the Old Testament never speaks of the church. Could it be more about God and Israel? Or is it just simply about Solomon and his bride? Why is this book even in the Bible? Surely I'm missing the point of it.

[mattfivefour]

Sis, the tabernacle in the wilderness, the temple, everything in the tabernacle and the temple, the various rituals and services, the clothing, the Sabbath, various events in the wilderness and throughout the OT, are ALL types (that is to say foreshadowings; often, indeed, actual pictures) of Jesus Christ, Salvation, and the Church. We are told in First Peter that even the OT prophets did not understand these things. Peter writes: "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into." (1 Peter 1:10-12). The Song of Solomon fits in perfectly with this. It was originally seen as a love story between Solomon and the Shulamite woman. And that is valid both in terms of literalness and history. But, like all prophecy, it has a deeper meaning— it also pictured Jehovah's love for Israel (which is why it was in their canon) and it pictures Jesus's love for His Church (which is why it is in ours.)

I pray this helps.

[micah719]

Son 2:8 The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.
Son 2:9 My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.
Son 2:10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
Son 2:11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
Son 2:12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
Son 2:13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

A fair bit of symbolism there...

[IamPJ]

Sis, the tabernacle in the wilderness, the temple, everything in the tabernacle and the temple, the various rituals and services, the clothing, the Sabbath, various events in the wilderness and throughout the OT, are ALL types (that is to say foreshadowings; often, indeed, actual pictures) of Jesus Christ, Salvation, and the Church. We are told in First Peter that even the OT prophets did not understand these things. Peter writes: "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into." (1 Peter 1:10-12). The Song of Solomon fits in perfectly with this. It was originally seen as a love story between Solomon and the Shulamite woman. And that is valid both in terms of literalness and history. But, like all prophecy, it has a deeper meaning— it also pictured Jehovah's love for Israel (which is why it was in their canon) and it pictures Jesus's love for His Church (which is why it is in ours.)

I pray this helps.

I understand about all the temple and rituals and all being types and foreshadowings of Christ, I just wasn't sure about the Song of Solomon. The reason I asked is because I just got a devotional book on the Song of Solomon by Esher Shoshannon and in it, it pictures Christ as Solomon and the woman as the church. And the point of the devotional is to show how much Christ loves his bride, the church. And to help develop a closer understanding of how much Jesus loves us. Thanks for answering...I'll continue on with the devotional book then.

[mattfivefour]

Read always with caution, sis. Esher likes some people whom I find questionable, people such as "apostle" Kim Daniels. That does not mean this book or her others in which she teaches of the love of Christ for us are bad. It just means you should read carefully, being alert for things that are not scriptural. Feel free to PM if you have any specific concerns as you read.

[IamPJ]

One thing about me, I always question everything I read. I'm still not 100% sure about this devotional. I've read about halfway through it, but am just not sure about how he interprets the scriptures and his comparisons. Thanks Adrian!

[mikhen7]

Son 2:8 The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.
Son 2:9 My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.
Son 2:10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
Son 2:11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
Son 2:12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
Son 2:13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

A fair bit of symbolism there...

There certainly is! Here is another i appreciate:


¹¹ Come, my beloved, let us go out into the fields and lodge in the villages; ¹² let us go out early to the vineyards and see whether the vines have budded, whether the grape blossoms have opened and the pomegranates are in bloom. There I will give you my love. ¹³ The mandrakes give forth fragrance, and beside our doors are all choice fruits, new as well as old, which I have laid up for you, O my beloved. Song of Songs 7:11-13 (ESV)