Throughout much of church history there has been great confusion, and even tragic error, regarding the interpretation and use of the Song of Solomon. While some Jewish leaders have been on record discouraging it from being read by any man under the age of 30, Christian leaders have been almost as obvious in their discomfort with the book. One Christian forefather Origen even suggested that it should not be read by anyone who has not first completely crucified all his carnal, fleshly desires.
Perhaps as a result of this discomfort with the explicitly sensual content in the book—and because it was thought intellectually “astute” to interpret allegorically in ancient times—many church leaders for a large stretch of history argued for an allegorical approach to understanding the book.
In our culture, marriage is considered confining and boring, and affairs are considered exciting and free — when in fact the opposite is true!
In an allegorical interpretation, the literal meaning of the text is important, admittedly, but only in order to go beyond the literal meaning to find the spiritual interpretation or application. The result of this method being applied to the Song is that the love and beauty that is spoken of throughout was applied, not to any literal relationship or persons, but only to the love of God and his people. One clear problem with such an imaginative approach, however, is that the text’s “meaning” can be anything the reader wants to make it or imagines it to be.
However, the more careful and accurate interpretation of the Song as a literal love poem still has powerful and practical implications for today.
First, it addresses both of the false extremes of sexuality—either banning it or being supersaturated with it—by showing the joy and pleasure of sexuality within the proper context of marriage.
In our culture, marriage is considered confining and boring, and affairs are considered exciting and free — when in fact the opposite is true!
The Song also does have, through the New Testament lens that Paul gives us into marriage (e.g. Ephesians 5:28-33), insights regarding the joy and love that is found between Christ and his church. The longing and satisfaction within this exclusive relationship is reflective of our longing for, and relationship with, Jesus Christ — a complete and mutual love and enjoyment of each other.