Song of Solomon is a challenging but clarifying book of the Bible to preach. It is a love poem that traces the move of love between a bride and bridegroom through anticipation, intimacy, disconnection, and restoration.
But some avoid preaching it altogether. They fear the book is too scandalous to teach from the pulpit because it could be considered vulgar. This is obviously incorrect, but one can see how they reason there with the explicit references to sex and intimacy. More than this, it can be difficult to see how a love poem with strange metaphors can be profitable. I mean, should I really describe my wife’s hair like “a flock of goats” (SoS 6:5)? Maybe not. But I’ve always been a big believer that it is the texts that we are most likely to ignore that most need to be preached.
In reality, Song of Solomon may be one of the most important books of the Bible to preach today. Why, though?
Wisdom on Marriage and Sex
First, you need to exposit the text to provide practical wisdom from God’s Word on marriage and sex. These are deeply contested topics today, but God’s people need to hear from God’s Word regarding marriage and sex.
It seems that many in the Reformed tradition either downplay this or ignore it altogether. Instead, the entire text is treated as an allegory for Christ and the church. That is important, but it is unfortunate that the real wisdom regarding sex and marriage is ignored.
I typically enjoy reading Puritan and Reformed commentaries in my sermon preparation. There are gems that they offer in regard to Solomon, but in general they stretch the metaphors and allegories too far.
Christ and the Church
Second, you also need to show how the text points to Christ and the church. This, of course, is where the Reformed tradition shines. But this makes some squeamish.
To speak of consummation in relation to the eschaton confuses many Christians. Some get very uncomfortable with this kind of language and fear being crude. But if we understand intimacy with Christ, we can see that sex is a signpost that points to union with Christ. Unfortunately, some have a view of sex that is worldly and carnal instead of a beautiful gift designed by God.
It is crucial to preach Song of Solomon with Christ and the church in mind, even in the places where intimacy and ecstasy are addressed.
Clarity on Body, Soul, and Destiny
Finally, the book is clarifying because it reveals fundamental confusion for many regarding the body and the soul and the eternal destiny of mankind.
The book deals with dating, marriage, temptation, lust, desire, fornication, conflict, and sex. All of these are incredibly important topics. And underneath all of them is the gospel. As Paul describes in Ephesians, marriage points to Christ and the church.
If we want to see the church built up in our day and we want to see strong and healthy marriages, Song of Solomon should be a starting point for churches. Perhaps no book of the Bible more directly confronts the gender confusion in our day than the Song of Solomon.
We’ve been preaching through Song of Solomon at The Well Church. You can check out the sermons here.