by Doreen Kajulu | 9 December 2020 08:46 pm12
Answer: ” refers to “love”specifically, the romantic love between a man and a woman, as described in the Scriptures. While the Bible acknowledges various forms of love, such as familial love (e.g., the love between siblings, a parent and a child), and refers to the intimate, passionate love shared between a husband and wife. The term can be used in the plural form, but it fundamentally speaks of the deep, intimate affection and devotion shared in the marriage relationship.
In Song of Solomon 1:2 (NIV), it says:
“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
for your love is more delightful than wine.”
This passage captures the intensity of romantic love and the emotional connection between the two lovers in the Song of Solomon. The imagery of kisses emphasizes intimacy, affection, and the joy that comes from the closeness of love.
Similarly, in Song of Solomon 4:10 (NIV), it reads:
“How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride!
How much more pleasing is your love than wine,
and the fragrance of your perfume more than any spice!”
Here, the bridegroom praises the bride, comparing her love to wine—a metaphor for the richness and depth of the relationship. Wine in Scripture often symbolizes joy and abundance, and the reference to perfume emphasizes the allure and beauty of their bond.
Other references can be found in Song of Solomon 1:4 and Song of Solomon 7:12.
Now, why is this specific type of love mentioned in the Bible, and what significance does it hold for us as Christians? This love has profound theological implications.
First, it speaks to the nature of marriage, as instituted by God. Marriage is not just a cultural or social institution, but a divine covenant designed by God to reflect His relationship with His people. The Song of Solomon provides an allegorical picture of the beauty and sacredness of this marital love, which can also be applied to the relationship between Christ and His Church.
In the New Testament,
Ephesians 5:25-27 (NIV) explains this profound connection:
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”
This passage demonstrates the analogy between the love of a husband for his wife and the love of Christ for the Church. Christ’s love is self-sacrificial, pure, and unblemished just as marital love should be. The love in Song of Solomon reflects this kind of sacrificial love, which is the model for Christian marriage.
The love of Christ for the Church is further explored in
Revelation 19:7-9 (NIV), which describes the marriage supper of the Lamb:
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’”
This passage highlights the Church as the Bride of Christ, eagerly awaiting the marriage to the Lamb (Jesus), which will take place at the end of time. It signifies the ultimate union between Christ and His redeemed people, where the Church, purified and made radiant by His love, will be presented to Him in glory.
The intensity of love also manifests in jealousy a theme that appears throughout Scripture. In
Song of Solomon 8:6 (NIV), it says:
“Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.”
The verse speaks to the unrelenting nature of true love, which is not passive but active and protective. The jealousy described here is not negative or sinful, but rather a holy, righteous jealousy that guards the relationship. This mirrors Christ’s zeal for His Church. Just as a husband is zealous for the purity of his wife, Christ is fiercely protective of His Church, and He is jealous when His people turn to other idols or the ways of the world.
This zealous love is further illustrated in
2 Corinthians 11:2 (NIV), where Paul says:
“I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.”
Paul is echoing the same idea of a bride being set apart and kept pure for her husband—this is the nature of Christ’s love for His Church.
For Christians, this picture of marriage points to the eternal relationship between Christ and His Church. Those who are saved are part of the bride of Christ, cherished and loved by Him. Christ has prepared a place for His bride in the eternal Kingdom, as described in
Revelation 21:9-10 (NIV):
“One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’ And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.”
This “New Jerusalem” represents the final and eternal union of Christ with His Church. The Church, the bride, will dwell with Christ forever in the perfection of heaven.
Will you be part of this eternal union? If you have not yet accepted Christ, you will not inherit this eternal life. But the invitation remains: accept Christ today by repenting of your sins and being baptized. Christ, the Bridegroom, is waiting to receive you into His eternal love.
Maranatha—Come, Lord Jesus!
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2020/12/09/what-the-meaning-of-let-him-kiss-me-with-the-kisses-of-his-mouth-song-of-solomon-12niv/
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