Songs 8 Commentary
A brother’s relationship with his sister is what marriage becomes. It is natural. A bond so created attracts no public ridicule. It becomes an expectation. A man acquires new relations. The family is extended.
It’s not exactly a parallel thought but the reader can reflect on the events at the cross. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. John 19 verses 26 and 27.
A saved man has Mary as his mother. There are many more brothers and sisters in the family of the LORD Jesus Christ. It is a powerful analogy for the transformation of the heart. It acquires new blood relations. You can think of the blood that the LORD Jesus Christ shed.
The chapter opens with the bride reminiscing about a possibility that wasn’t without marriage. It is however a possibility, an expectation, and even a function of marriage. Imagine! His left hand cradling my head, his right arm around my waist! And heaven says yes! The community is happy, but let the community wait until the bride is ready for it.
The scenery is switched and the bride and groom are seen together and in love.
The mention of the place of the bride’s birth by the man satisfies the woman’s wishes. The mention of her mother brings thoughts of an important connection. Her mother becomes his mother too. Importantly, the bride becomes a mother to the groom. He can have the taste of her breasts freely.
It is interesting that the scripture hasn’t at all mentioned the role of the father. He is not important here. Childbearing is a function of the woman. Childbearing means everything from conception through childbirth to nurturing life. In between are breastfeeding, love, care, and control. It is a total package that only a woman is mandated to provide. Let the man concentrate on hunting game and digging up the ground for food!
Every child is fully dependent on his mother. A boy is fed by his mother at the breasts. Even when fully grown, the same boy will still be fed by another woman – the bride. It’s a woman’s show. Let not the woman abandon her life-initiating, life-supporting, and life-sustaining role. It is a shame that men want to disturb this space. A total shame! Perversion. Sinful!
Love cannot be bought. It is that expensive! It cannot be sold because it’s not extractable. It cannot be found. You cannot mine it. The LORD deposits into the heart of a woman. Not even the community can do much about it. Not even Solomon’s wealth comes close to its price.
Men’s value system should remain at the workshop or at the farm with their workers. Love matters won’t have the same rules as the factory! Let life ooze with a mother’s unconditional love! Let love win.
Verse 14 closes chapter 8 as well as the Book of Songs. It is a call to life to enter into the bride’s love system. The New Testament reader knows that this love here is too good to be real on the ground. Only the love of the Messiah, ably represented by the physical love here, is the real stuff for humanity.
The shortfall in the groom’s love, actually forever short, can only be met fully at the Cross. And the bride’s love is never really there. It is a myth. But it still represents the possibility of God’s ultimate love. And the gospels say yes, it is possible!
The Book of Songs is ended. Next, we travel into the ministry of the great prophet Isaiah.
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