“…the Jewish doctors advised their young people not to read it till they were thirty years old.”  – Puritan Commentator Matthew Henry

Because of the frank sexual and marital content, some Jews did not allow Song of Solomon to be read until men were adults and some Christians have not allowed its reading at all.

Paul writes, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The content and instruction of Song of Solomon, given by God, will be helpful to everyone, generally. Nonetheless, there are four groups of people who will be served particularly well in studying Song of Solomon.

Singles

More than half of Americans are single men and women who are increasingly holding off on marriage until 28 and 30, respectively. While more singles are delaying marriage, they are not delaying pre-marital sex or cohabitating, and nine out of ten still ultimately marry.

Song of Solomon recounts the years of attraction and pursuit between Solomon and his bride. This will provide instruction for singles seeking marriage by discerning what is attractive in a mate as well as how to speak to and pursue a man or woman of noble character.

For singles seeking to remain celibate, Song of Solomon’s message, “do not awaken love until it is time,” will both instruct and motivate during that season.

Singles are not second-class citizens in the Kingdom of God, but rather singleness—equal to marriage–is viewed as a gift of grace (1 Corinthians 7:1-7). Song of Solomon will aid singles in stewarding this gift for the glory of God.

Teenagers

The average age a boy views pornography whether intentionally or accidentally for the first time is eight.[1] If you’re waiting until a kid is thirteen to talk about sex, you will probably not be the first to talk to your kids about sex.

Saturated with music, and culture and friends providing views of sex, teens are having their view shaped not by wisdom but by folly. Half of teenagers have had oral sex and the increasingly common practice of middle-schoolers is to text naked photos of themselves to their boyfriend or girlfriend.[2]

It’s a father’s role to instruct his kids in the fear and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:1-3), and Song of Solomon presents a biblical, God-honoring relationship that every teenager should be working toward. The joy and reality of sex as God created allows a teenager to discern the folly of the culture around him and instead choose to honor God in his or her body. The goal is for children not to be naïve and uninformed, but to remain innocent and wise (Matthew 10:16, Proverbs 1-2).

The refrain of Song of Solomon again and again is “Do not awaken love until it is time.” Song of Solomon is filled with a portrayal of the beauty and joy of monogamous sex that should be seen and celebrated often as the gift from God given through marriage.

Engaged Couples

We encourage every engaged couple to pursue pre-marital counseling. Song of Solomon provides a template and goal to begin discussing what God-honoring attraction, pursuit, marriage, and sex can look like.

Studying Song of Solomon can heighten the excitement of engaged couples, strengthen their resolve in guarding their relationship, while giving them much to talk through before their wedding night comes.

Married Couples

For marriages that are stagnant, Song of Solomon incites passion. For marriages that are broken, Song of Solomon provides redemption. For marriages that are thriving, Song of Solomon enriches.

Song of Solomon shows pure passion grows worshipping God as creator, learning from God as redeemer and enjoying his creation of sex freely in the marriage.

Married couples would do well to regularly study the Song of Solomon and discuss together on date night areas of their marriage and passion that may be growing cold. Song of Solomon can provide a measure to assess how a couple’s sex-life, communication, enjoyment, friendship, fun, and future currently look as well as the fuel to spark repentance and the motivation to joyfully pursue one another for the deepening of the relationship.

 

[1]http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/sexuality/when_children_use_pornography.aspx

[2] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/15/AR2005091500915.html as well as

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/sex/9828589/Children-and-the-culture-of-pornography-Boys-will-ask-you-every-day-until-you-say-yes.html