It has been FOREVER.
I’ve missed you.
So, what have you been up to?
I’ve been translating Hebrew. And Greek. And more Hebrew. And then even more Greek. And so on and back again. For now, since it is LOVE weekend, I want to tell you about my Song of Songs class that I recently completed. Without a doubt, my Song of Songs class was one of the most fascinating courses I have ever taken. I spent the bulk of the second half of last semester preparing for this class alone. Why the bulk of my time? Well, because the Song is composed of 9.2% Hapax Legomena. Hapax Legomena are words that are only used one time in a given corpus. This means that about one in every ten words used in the Song have never been used anywhere else in the Hebrew Bible. This makes translating the Song of Songs, well,
By the way, Hapax Legomena would be a really fun phrase for you to throw around on a date. Super dorky and dorky can be super attractive, right? I wouldn’t leave you without some dating advice on Valentine’s Day! Grin. Anyway, since several of you have been asking me to share some of what I am learning, I thought I would take the chance to walk you through a segment of the text I translated for my final paper.
So let’s just get right to it. If someone hasn’t broken the news to you yet, the Song of Songs is what most Scholars call “erotic poetry”. For some of you this is quite a thrilling thought, for others it is crude and crass. For those of you in either camp, what do you make of your own personal reaction to the Song’s place in the Canon? Or maybe this is a better question: do you think there are any significant theological implications that could be derived from the inclusion of erotic poetry in the Bible?
Rumor has it that ancient Israelites were forbidden to read the Song unless they were thirty years old or married. Oh and by the way, if you are either offended or irritated by me right now, will you please do yourself a favor and close out this blog immediately? I don’t want to upset anyone on Valentine’s Eve.
Now that I am dealing with the remnant, let me tell you, when you slow down enough to really dwell on the metaphors in the Song, things get super heated. I once had a Professor at Moody Bible Institute teach the Song of Songs with a garbage bag over his head the entire class period. He had cut out little holes for his eyes and mouth. Now I know why. Anyway, as I’ve been translating the Hebrew through this class I’ve literally had to fan myself on several occasions. I wrote my paper on the intersection between the erotic poetry in Song 8.1-7 and wisdom literature, like Proverbs or Ecclesiastes, for instance. I won’t bore you with all the technicalities but I do want to share with you part of the message of the passage I worked on. Here is my own English translation of a segment of the text from the Hebrew (vv. 3-7)
like a seal on your arm,
For love is as strong as death,
Jealousy as severe as Sheol.
Its flames are flames of fire,
An almighty flame.
7 Floods are not able to extinguish love,
nor can rivers sweep it away.
The passage begins as the main female character, the Shulammite, describes her lover’s embrace in v. 3. She says, “His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me” and then out of nowhere she gives the daughters of Jerusalem (and us, the reader!) a warning:
There is a timeliness to love, she says. A right time and a wrong time. We must not prematurely awaken love. We don’t know what the consequences entail but we get the feeling there are indeed consequences. As the woman and her lover are walking away from the countryside from their private rendezvous toward the city they pass by a tree and the woman says, “Under the apple tree I aroused you; there your mother conceived you, there she conceived you, she gave birth to you.” That the woman has awakened her lover’s desire at the same place he was born hints that she has been bound to him all along, ever since he was born.
Notice that she is not saying that love is a victor over death but that love and death are equals. She is not saying love is stronger than death but that love is as strong as death. Moreover, love and jealousy are allies in this verse, not enemies. This is strange, right? Not a line you would expect in a Hallmark greeting card. Love is compared to some dark images here. Indeed, some of the darkest images that the Ancient Israelite could have imagined: death, Sheol (the abode of the dead), flames, and even chaotic waters. The mightiest waters, the most chaotic cosmic forces, cannot extinguish love’s flames. What do you make of these kind of images and metaphors?
I don’t know about you but I can truly resonate with the woman’s desire to possess her man with a seal. When I was engaged I remember having this fear about what would happen when all the desire and anticipation started fading. It made me sick to my stomach to even think about. I would hear married women speaking about how it was an “act of worship” to be intimate with their husbands and I would literally feel ill. I would think to myself, is it really going to be that hard?! I had such a fear of the intensity of our desire fading that it made me dread marriage in a sense. I wished that I could have pushed some kind of imaginary hold button and frozen the intensity of our yearning for one another for the rest of time. Love is not only powerful in its budding but it is powerful in its fading or even the fear of its fading. To feel love and passion at such extreme heights is like being on a drug and to sense it fading even a notch is like a crash. Human love, like death, is mortal to its core and mortality is fickle. Colin might wear a wedding ring but my name isn’t inscribed on his heart and I have no promises that I will be the object of his desire for the rest of my life. Yes, I know what you’re thinking, I have his promise that he will remain married to me for the rest of time. I hear you. But I don’t have the security of knowing that I will forever be his one and only desire. And let’s face it, we’re just human beings. We’re human beings who are surrounded by a whole lot of men and women who have broken these same promises. It’s frightening stuff we’re talking about here. But, like the poet says, love is like death. And death is scary. Sexual love is one of the greatest triumphs of the human experience. Yet you and I both know (*or ourselves are*) people who have been scarred and marred by the tragedy of sexual love as well.
You are so loved.
Melissa
Wow girl, you are deep! I do have a college degree, but whew you are a smart one! Thanks for all the explanation and understanding, it's the most I have ever learned about the Song of songs. Enjoying a day with my man, NOT. . we've all had the stomach bug, now he has it. Oh well, maybe next Valentine's Day? Enjoy yours!
Wendy
Melissa – beautiful post, and your Mom is right, you have a gift, and I for one am thankful you are using that gift for the Kingdom (and for us bloggers)!
My man and I went to a marriage retreat several years ago, and the speaker used Song of Songs. It was great, appropriate, and the retreat was good.
However…what I remember most about his use of the Song of Songs was this crazy recording he had where different voices and sound affects were used for the text.
The Daughters of Jerusalem sounded exactly like those little aliens in the movie Toy Story when Buzz Lightyear gets caught in that game…for the life of me, I could not get past that…it was hilarious!
So…thank you for redeeming Song of Songs for me! I mean it. I loved what you wrote about the SEAL – beautiful – just beautiful.
And your pictures are beautiful too. The thrill of young love – you and Colin are stunning – and yet so precious.
And I'm thankful that old love is precious too, because as II Corinthians 4:16 says:
"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day."
Fine line minimizer, anti-wrinkle whatever, my "outward" doesn't look the same – but my "inward" is so much better than it was when I was a young bride.
Too bad I can't have my 52 year old "inward" and my 25 year old "outward." I'm just saying. God knows best – He didn't make it that way…
After 32 years together with my sweet valentine, I'm telling you, it just gets sweeter and sweeter.
Happy Valentine's Day sweet girl,
you are so loved.
Mrs. Jan
Beautiful. Just beautiful.
"Oh love that will not let me go.."
Happy 2nd Anniversary!
Love,
Jenny from VA
Well, Melissa, coming from one of the "remnant" few, you nailed it right on the head. I am guessing you to be in your early 20's, which is when I first read the Song and realized it's erotic overtures. And "scandalous love" very nice touch! It is so refreshing to see your generation noticing things and not being afraid to be truthful about them. I have three sons in their 20's and I wish they were as open and honest as you are. I'm sure your mom is extremely proud of you. And the most important point you made is that the Song is truly about Jesus' love for us. I think a lot of people have a hard time dealing with that fact. Well, seems like to me, they better get used to it, because, after, all He is our Husband and we are the bride of Christ! Glory!!!
Mischelle
Greater Nashville, TN (area)
divorced and very insecure about herself and life
46
My gosh, you and your husband are the cutest!! Your love truly inspires me!!
Thank you, Melissa. I think today I really needed to hear what you had to say. On this day I'm feeling sad and not so special but rather a little unloved and unappreciated by the man who should love me the most–my husband!
You remind me that we are mere mortals and our love does wane and fade and not always shine as bright as it did when we first fell in love. But God's love for us never fades, and he loves us very much! He loves us and cares for us more than anyone!
Bless you, Melissa.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Thanks for the great theological "inside" with those verses. My husband and I had a trans-atlantic relationship and engagement prior to getting married and those were a few of the verses where we felt God speaking to us – especially about how the vastness of water (or a really large ocean) could not and cannot quench our love. Love from God is the most immeasurable joy and it just keeps growing deeper. Amazing.
My current bible was a gift from my ex-finance…in it he highlighted several verses for me that were special to him…SoS 8:6-7 being one of them… when i ask him for an explanation to why these verses where special to him he said that it was to him God's plea to him…pounder on that for a moment…imagine God telling you, "Put me like a seal over your heart, Like a seal on your arm. For love is stronger than death, Jealousy is as sever as Sheol;(I proved this with the cross.) Its flashes are flashes of fire, The very flame of the Lord. Many waters cannot quench love, nor will rivers overflow it; If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, It would be utterly despised. (And this is why our love is so despised I have done so just for you.)
You and Amanda are the proof that you can "Break Free" and leave insecurity behind. I can tell that your Mama is so proud of you. You two girls are the apple of her eye and it is a privilege to have a glimpse into your lives. Thanks so much for sharing with us. It is just the "shove" we need to leave some "stuff" behind and to seek true freedom from captivity.
Blessings Abundant!
Nancy
Tennessee
Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing and btw…the pictures are fabulous!
Melissa,
I loved this post! Ahhh, divine romance indeed! I think one of the day-to-day ways the Lord romances us is through music and your post reminded me of two songs out right now that just speak to this post, and personally to my heart! I'm terrible at keeping up w/ “who's-who” on the radio, but I know the lyrics… one of them is: "When I don't amount to much in this life, I'm a treasure in the arms of Christ" and the other: "It’s more like falling in love than something to believe in." OH! Those just sing romance to my heart and make it flutter like a young girl in love! In love with the Lord, with my man, and with our darling little girl… and FIVE dogs– all angels in disguise of course!
Happy Valentine's Day!
And Happy Anniversary!
Monica
Ok, this is yet another post I've got to copy & paste in a Word doc so I can keep it, study it, reflect on it. Melissa, you do have a gift. I love how you can take us to the depths and it be so fresh and real, not stale. Please do share some of that Hebrew & Greek. Some of us siestas just eat that stuff up!!
I'm going to be celebrating 25 years with my husband this coming August. I want you to know that it is possible to be crazy about your man, long after the honeymoon. This year we each bought each other cards that spoke of the other as their best friend. I thought to myself, "Isn't our God so good that He even has us buying the same kind of cards for each other". We really do think alike – well, not all the time. Grin. There's still a bit of mystery don't ya' know.
And your pix?? Well ya'll should be on the cover of a magazine – a classy one mind you! Love ya' and happy, happy anniversary.
ok so duh, does Colin have a brother older than 30? Geesh, he is a precious thang, and I mean that with all due (or is that "do"??) respect…I promise!
Ya'll are adorable and your post is wonderful!
Have a great Valentines!
–and I mean that about Colin having a brother…send him to Alabama if so!! Hee Hee
Melissa, I am far from offended or irritated–I love that you posted on the Song of Songs. How fitting that today you elevate possibly one of the church's most ignored books of the Bible, yet to me one of the most intriguing. (Maybe congregations and pastors alike could all don the bags were it to be preached on Sunday!) In response to your question regarding the theological implications, I find it personally fascinating to consider the allegory of Christ and the church–and yes, Christ to me! And don't you find it indeed offers practical advice as well. As the mother of teen girls, I find a wise warning to them in the admonition to not "awaken or arouse love" before its time. How easily prematurely awakened desires can lead to disastrous choices….I'm sure y'all know where I'm headed with that one. As for your question (and I'm surely hoping you were not speaking rhetorically!), "What do you make of these kind of [dark] images and metaphors," I rest in this:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:35-39 NIV
Wow, I think I'm going to have to read this several times to fully get it. :o) Powerful stuff. I love knowing we are loved like that by our LORD. I so needed the reminder of that divine romance. :o) Now that is a Valentine I can happily hold onto.
BTW, I am so happy to hear from you! It sounds as though you are doing well and your photos are gorgeous. You two make such a lovely couple. Congrats on your anniversary.
May you have many, many years together.
Blessings to you & take care!
Anna
Thanks for sharing, Melissa! All so fascinating and inspiring. What a great reminder for young newlyweds like me to cultivate passion in our marriages!
I also enjoyed the paragraph at the end of your post about how we don't have to envy Christ's love for our neighbor! This week in my Law, Literature, and Culture class I brought up that very same point during our discussion of Dostoevsky's The Idiot. So much to unpack in those verses! Wish we could sit down over coffee & do just that!
Happy Valentine's Day!
Stunning pictures that truly capture your love for Colin and vice versa. Wish I had more pictures of when I was dating my hubby and our first two years together. But digital just wasn't out yet! And that was only 15 1/2 yrs ago!
Such beautiful photos of you and your love.
He is Cuh-yooot!!!
I annoyed my mom and sisters to death recently on a girls trip about how amazed I am to be married to "the love of my life". I actually started to get on my own nerves. Anyway, as much as my husband and I love each other, and as deep as that commitment is, there's always been a lingering sense of insecurity with respect to our future. How will I age? Just how fat will he get? What if Jessica Alba moves in next door? All I'm saying is anything can happen, and when you've got an overactive imagination it seems like all that anxiety can surface with something as trivial as a bad hair day. And then I come to my senses…eventually… It's so beautiful and calming to know how we are loved by our sweet Jesus, isn't it? And so gloriously backwards to only want to share that love with others…even Jessica Alba. Your post was a recent revelation for me so it really struck a nerve. Thank you.
Hapax Legomena,
Wait, I mean, Happy Valentines Day,
Sam
Love that last paragraph you wrote!!
thanks, melissa! i feel like i just met you! i'm a new enough siesta that i haven't really heard from you yet! so appreciated your work on the song of songs ~ HIS love is so truly extravagant. thanks for sharing! and for the pics! holy smokes, you two are flipping adorable!! 🙂
Melissa, thank you.
God has gifted you — I too like another blogger stated, read and reread every word. Over the past 18 months, my man and I have been in a storm — and so often your Mom's posts would just speak to me. God used her and this avenue to minister. I would print them off and read them over and over.
Now — your post is going to be printed off and read over and over — that scripture you translated — powerful. Presently, I am reading a book with my 15 year old son "don't awaken love before its time". And I shared a bit of your post with him. How cool of God to have that connection — of all of the passages — again, God is using this blog site as a tool to speak to me and my family.
Thanks.
The photos are so real or as my son would say "raw".
Again, you have a gift — I want to hear from you more often!
And about the yearing fading — God – through HIM — well, the yearing won't fade and the time together will get even better.
I can attest to that — it has been some 22+ years! It may not happen as often as it did — no, it actually happens more now than it ever did in our 20's — !!
Probably because we did awaken love too early — thank HIM for restoration!
Thank you again,
Michelle
Okeechobee, FLordia
Thank you for the beautiful post with applications for all siestas, lovely Melissa!! And, I'll bet all siestas agree with me — we would never forget you! ❤
denise in NC
I have been married for 40 years plus and they only get better because of the Love of Jesus. Thank you for sharing this wonderful poetry.
How appropriate on this day,OH to know the love of Jesus!
Gayle
Hmmm, Melissa, great brain food as always!
I don't have a seal to put on my husband's heart. I wish I did. Some way to "mark my territory" to him against the world (of other women.)
What I do have is a seal on my heart to Christ. That IF EVER my husband's heart strayed from mine, Christ is my Eternal Husband and He would comfort me, hold me, carry me, provide for me, protect my heart and heal it. And only by His Grace, all while I kept my commitment to Him on my wedding day.
I felt called to marry my husband and he felt the same with me. I am SO GLAD because if I had chosen my husband, I would have surely leaned on luck, not God. So for times when ever I think about marriage being too hard, I remember my commitment is to God, not my spouse.
Sometimes, alot of times, we don't see our own growth. But I've seen mine where my marriage is concerned over the last year. I am bragging on God here, and by His hand, I did the work. I'm not saying we are immune, but we are intimate; a word that couldn't be used to describe us a year ago. Intimacy is a strong shield around marriage.
God, I've been single and I've prayed for single hearts. But today I pray for every wife on this blog; that Your Word in
Isaiah 54:4-6 would cover each heart here, whether struggling or strong:
"Fear not, for you will no longer live in shame. The shame of your youth and the sorrows of widowhood will be remembered no more. For your Creator is your Husband! The Lord Almighty is his name! He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel! For the Lord has called you back from your grief-as though you were a young wife abandoned by her husband, SAYS YOUR GOD!"
AMEN!
Love God, love yourself, love your spouse, love your children. (I'm preaching to myself here.)
Heather G
Charlotte NC
RE: RETTA'S POST – Thank you for your recent comment. I wish this was set up to comment after certain other comments; We could start a real conversation, here ! I have just come through a very emotional time with someone, myself. He is a believer and has taught me a great deal about God's Word, even though our relationship did not work out to my "expectations", we are still good friends. A clear lesson I have learned recently is that we as humans (me) always want what we can't have, or can't reach. You also can't gently bludgeon someone into loving you. If it is not directed by The Holy Spirit, it's not worth the grief, no matter how good and Godly the person is. These verses speak very clearly about this and hit me right at home. I have learned to appreciate the great promises that God has spoken to me and look forward every day to seeing them come to pass – until the day I reach my Ultimate Prize !
Thank you so much for sharing! Awesome!
p.s. I didn't let Dailey Rae read this post but did show her the updated pictures. Her quote "Mom, she is simply awesome and Colin is cute too." Out of the mouths of babes!
Tracy L.
Richlands, NC
That was absolutely beautiful, Melissa! Happy Valetine to both of you love the pics speak word they do blink,blink time passes.
The love of God sweet words of truth to each of our hearts. With enduring love everlasting! Even death does not stop love, no never. As I have told you before of walking with a dear friend through the home going of her child, she asked one day in desperation will I forget him. No love for a child never through all eternity and that's God love for us. Joy will come in the morning, come Lord Jesus come.
I don't often comment here….just figure that there are so many comments that one less won't matter. 🙂
But I agree with so many of the comments….we would love to see a study on this book. I have been simply amazed that so many women I have talked to don't think that God wants to lead and guide them in their love life with their husband. And so if God put this book here to help us out…I think it deserves a shot right along with all those other books we are willing to study.
I don't know about anybody else…but I'd be willing to wear a bag on my head and teach a class on this book. 🙂 So…are you willing to help your Mom write one?
Awesome post…Glad to hear from you again.
I too love your pictures, you both look wonderful…Your love for each other is captured in the pics.
Blessings, Kim
Hey Melissa!!! Of course we won't forget you! : ) I loved this post – what you wrote about and how you wrote it. Thanks for sharing the depth of insight. (Please don't ever hide how smart you are!) In church this morning I was thinking about how we need to know who Jesus is or we won't really care how much he loves us… we need to know He is our mighty, magnificent, holy, strong, faithful and true knight who's coming on His white horse to take us away someday… And then He reminded me of how much I need to remember who He is and how much He loves me. His love for me is overwhelming. Thanks for another reminder.
Happy Anniversary!!
I always love your posts! And the pics are awesome. Gonna need to read it a couple of times to let it all sink in.
Peace,
Kim Feth
Apex, NC
Awwwweeee I missed you Melissa
Melissa you have such a gift for being able to express yourself so honestly and clearly.
It is frigtening to know that we can lose a love in our lives, whether married or single.
The passage "Place me like a seal on your heart" is really what I think we truly desire as you shared, but know it can only be God who could love us in such a manner. What a joy to know I will not fade away with "Him".
awesome pictures!
Have a wonderful day~
Louise
Melissa, I loved your insight and perspective, especially for Valentine's Day. Thank you!
And Happy Anniversary!!
So good to see your face/read your mind! Been missin' you.. 🙂
Shortly embarking on an empty nest venture and this is good food for thought.
Happy Anniversary.. you two rock.
How lovely, both the message and the pics !
I want to thank Miss Poppins for putting me onto this blogging thing. I met her in line at the SLI book signing in Franklin. She's darlin'. Melissa, may I say that I worried during my first years of marriage that that would be as good as it would get and I was dead wrong! That was most of what I had seen modeled, but praise God He has brought change in me through His Word that allows me to say after 20yrs, we're having more fun than ever–and I mean that on every level 🙂 Heh, I didn't bring up SofS! But, thank the Lord you did. What a marvel–that He is smitten with one look of my eyes! Be still my heart. And as I hear you saying, it is that very heart that He continues to make whole so that I'm safe to love my husband well and not need a toxic level of anything from him.
Did I mention I learned that in many Bible studies by your mama?
Happy Valentines to each of you ladies and Happy Anniversary dear Melissa
Kathy from TN
You are BEAUTIFUL, inside and out! Thank you for such an amazing insight…
Happy Valentine's Day!
I loved your post, Melissa, and always learn so much from you. The pictures of you and Colin are beautiful!!!Thank you for sharing them with us.
Loving the new book, Beth! I bought 2 extra copies as Valentine's gifts for my mom and sister. We all love reading and studying what you have to say.
Blessings and much love to you all today!
Shelly
Portland, Oregon
your mama bragged on you at the bookstore last week, and just one look at this post and it's no wonder why. you DO have an incredible gift and ability to intellectually dive into a topic and communicate your findings through a beautiful Christ-centered heart.
you amaze me more with every post. so honored to know you and serve Jesus alongside such a sister. (and your hair is still amazing.)
I'll have to take the time to read your post cause I know it will be a thought provoking one. I did want to say that B/W photo of you and Colin is stunning! Allison
Thanks so much for sharing this Melissa. S of S is near to my heart. Your pictures are GORGEOUS!
I have done a Study on Song of Solomon twice. What do you think about this book being an allegory about Christ and the Church, collectively and individually? I know there are some graphic parts that could make the our hearts incensed to think of Christ as Solomon, but for me it is so much more about trust and developing an understanding of Christ's gentlemanly qualities. I know you don't have a ton of time to respond, but I would really be interested in what your thoughts are.
Happy Valentines to you too!
Jina
Dear Melissa,
I'm recalling a post you wrote right after you got married. You talked about how you still had a place in you that could only be filled by Jesus. I've thought about that often. Thanks for posting all the great photos. 🙂
Michelle, TX
Young..new…fresh love is so precious. Thanks for sharing. Your pics are wonderful. Be blessed.
eden,nc
Melissa,
Thank you for such a wonderful post on the Song of Songs, as well as on what have you been up to. I really enjoyed the mixing of theology on what the section of verses meant with your personal thoughts on sexuality, being in love and seeking love in relationships. Heavy writing, but not so heavy as to overwhelm. I hope you have the chance to write more things like this.
I really like the past paragraph as well: "…The flame of his love for me can never be quenched. His desire for me is never dependent upon my youth or my (fading!) sexual allure." In a culture where it is easy to feel stressed out about our looks, how wonderfully you pointed out that Christ has a passion for us – for ME! – that lasts for all time, that will never fade and is based on the TRUTH of who I am in him. That is the real beauty!
Thanks for sharing,
Heather
What a beautiful commentary Melissa. God is going to use you just as he uses your Mom to teach us. Thank you.
Wow! Yesterday I was listening to Susie Larson on the Family Life Today radio program explaining the need for women to really grasp an understanding of who they are in Christ. This post shows the confidence of a woman secure in who she is in Christ Jesus. I want to get there. Thank you so much for this post.
This was a precious written blog. Thank you for your hard work and sharing the fruits of your labor. Hope there is more to come from such a gifted disciple of the LORD!
Happy Valentines Day!
Happy Anniversary!
You make the Body of CHRIST JESUS shine all the more brightly!
lynn