"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth."
Song of Solomon 1:2
Song of Solomon 1:2
What an opener! This is so atypical of an average Bible read. What the heck is the author talking about? Plenty.
We Americans enjoy fast food everything but people who read this book with a drive-through-window appetite always leave hungry. Let's consider for a moment who is writing these pros. Yes, Solomon is in the title but God made the words come through his fingers. This book is every bit as holy as the Ten Commandments or the Sermon of the Mount. Remember that.
Next question: Who is speaking in the opening verse? Male or female? The pronouns give it away. "Let him kiss me" is obviously the voice of a woman. But here's my point. If God wrote this poem then HE is choosing the words the woman is saying. Rather than recounting a historical event, poetry can introduce hypothetical dialogue that reflects the heart of the author. This book does just that. It gives us a rare window into the very heart of God! So, what's He got in mind? (This is SO fascinating.)
First of all, the Hebrew word for "kiss", as used in this verse, is "nashaq". It means to touch with the lips but the word is also identical to another Hebrew word that means "to catch fire" or "to kindle". God is qualifying a term of passion BUT it's not in reference to romance! My commentary even specifics that nashaq "rarely has romantic implications". In contrast, the term actually refers to a kiss that comes with an embrace to communicate acceptance, warmth and confident love. You see this kind of affection at a farewell or a reunion between close friends or family.
Typical American culture does not include a nashaq but it is an acceptable social practice in many parts of the eastern world. My husband is Polish and when we visit his family, I can expect a big smacker right on the lips (from both men and women) followed by a bear hug. It's just what you do and it serves to kindle the strength of our love. In one passion-filled moment I feel unconditionally accepted by his family. I think God had something like this in mind. But there's more ...
Nashaq also has a figurative meaning "to equip with weapons" or "to arm". God knows the intensity of our battle because he knows our adversary. He knows that spiritual victory cannot come without spiritual weapons. I find it interesting that we are equipped with necessary arms to "fight the good fight" by a kiss from his mouth. What a surprising combination. Just as His breath brought life to Adam so His breath brings life to our confidence, our faith and our energy to endure. All we have to do is ask!
"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth." It's what God wants you to say.
We Americans enjoy fast food everything but people who read this book with a drive-through-window appetite always leave hungry. Let's consider for a moment who is writing these pros. Yes, Solomon is in the title but God made the words come through his fingers. This book is every bit as holy as the Ten Commandments or the Sermon of the Mount. Remember that.
Next question: Who is speaking in the opening verse? Male or female? The pronouns give it away. "Let him kiss me" is obviously the voice of a woman. But here's my point. If God wrote this poem then HE is choosing the words the woman is saying. Rather than recounting a historical event, poetry can introduce hypothetical dialogue that reflects the heart of the author. This book does just that. It gives us a rare window into the very heart of God! So, what's He got in mind? (This is SO fascinating.)
First of all, the Hebrew word for "kiss", as used in this verse, is "nashaq". It means to touch with the lips but the word is also identical to another Hebrew word that means "to catch fire" or "to kindle". God is qualifying a term of passion BUT it's not in reference to romance! My commentary even specifics that nashaq "rarely has romantic implications". In contrast, the term actually refers to a kiss that comes with an embrace to communicate acceptance, warmth and confident love. You see this kind of affection at a farewell or a reunion between close friends or family.
Typical American culture does not include a nashaq but it is an acceptable social practice in many parts of the eastern world. My husband is Polish and when we visit his family, I can expect a big smacker right on the lips (from both men and women) followed by a bear hug. It's just what you do and it serves to kindle the strength of our love. In one passion-filled moment I feel unconditionally accepted by his family. I think God had something like this in mind. But there's more ...
Nashaq also has a figurative meaning "to equip with weapons" or "to arm". God knows the intensity of our battle because he knows our adversary. He knows that spiritual victory cannot come without spiritual weapons. I find it interesting that we are equipped with necessary arms to "fight the good fight" by a kiss from his mouth. What a surprising combination. Just as His breath brought life to Adam so His breath brings life to our confidence, our faith and our energy to endure. All we have to do is ask!
"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth." It's what God wants you to say.
