REAL ROMANCE

REAL ROMANCE

THIS BOOK WASTES NO TIME in establishing its theme-in verse two the Shulamite woman says, ” Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth-for your love is better than wine.” The word love here means sexual love; it is mentioned four times in the book and two times in the first four verses. The idea here is that sexual love is better than any earthly celebration, any earthly party, any earthly drink, anything you can partake of. Sensual, erotic, sexual love is divinely designed to be celebrated between the husband and his wife and in a way where they are not ashamed that they can delight in that pleasure.

Two other significant themes appear in these first few verses. First, the woman says, “Your name is ointment poured forth, therefore the virgins love you”. What she’s saying is that he had a name that was above reproach in the marketplace. All the women knew Solomon. They respected and admired him. I think a man needs to know that his character is crucial if he is interested in seeing his wife respond to him sexually. As you become a man who is devoted to pursuing God, you become a man who is attractive to your wife.

For example, at the heart of godly character is humility. This means being teachable, responsive to God, and quick to admit to mistake and error and ask for forgiveness. A husband who is the opposite-arrogant, stubborn, rebellious-will not be attractive to his wife.

A second lesson appears in verse nine, when Solomon recognizes his bride’s need for affirmation and doesn’t hesitate to go beyond mere acceptance. He lavishes stunning praise on her, “I have compared you, my love, to my filly among Pharaoh’s chariots.”

Now, before you try that line on your wife, keep in mind the context! Solomon carefully painted a picture of his finest mare, most likely an Arabian beauty, a dark creature of unquestioned magnificence, the finest horse that money could buy. This exotic creature would have turned heads, maybe even caused a stampede, because of her exquisite beauty.

In other words, Solomon skillfully uses evocative poetic language to tell his wife how magnificent she is. But that’s not all! He quickly adds, “Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with chains of gold”. He not only accepts her and sees her as a woman of great loveliness, but he lavishes jewelry on her to accentuate her beauty.

Husband, when did you last spring for a new bracelet? A necklace? A ring? Like Solomon, you married someone extraordinary. Let her know how greatly you esteem her!

NOTE:  This article is from the book Family, Life, and Marriage Bible

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