In honor of Valentine's Day, this blog is taken in part from my book, The Greatest Romance.
"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine"
Song of Solomon 1:2
Kisses and wine - sounds like a Valentine date to me. The stage has been set for romance and a theme of intimacy. The bride, addressing the bridegroom, asks for kisses. Using Scripture as my primary guide to symbolism, this kiss speaks of reconciliation and forgiveness. In the Old Testament, Esau kissed Jacob as a sign of forgiveness and reconciliation. In the New Testament, the father kissed the prodigal son, showing forgiveness and reconciliation. It is our responsibility to call out to Jesus for this kiss: for the salvation of our souls, for the forgiveness of our sins, and for grace, which will reconcile us to the Father.
The bride tells the bridegroom that His kiss of grace and reconciliation is love. She also says that His "love" kiss is better than wine. Wine has a particular effect on us. It makes our hearts feel glad and light. It exhilarates and revives us. His love is more effective than wine in making our hearts glad and reviving our spirits. Based on those truths, here’s my interpretation of verse 2:
“Jesus, kiss me
with the kisses of grace,
forgiveness, and reconciliation,
for Your love refreshes
and revives me better than wine.”
Let's look at the next verse: “Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee” Song of Solomon 1:3.
His kiss leaves a taste to be savored. The Hebrew definition of the word savour is “an odor, scent, or smell which is blown across the room.” Blown across denotes wind. I thought about the Holy Spirit appearing as a wind in Acts 2. Much like the wind carries a fragrance found in the air, verse 3 is a picture of the Holy Spirit who carries the grace and love of God to us. The Holy Spirit is also found in the word ointment. Its Hebrew definition is "anointing oil.” This savory anointing oil is poured forth like the Holy Spirit as described in Joel 2:28.
Grace, forgiveness, reconciliation, and all that the name of Jesus makes available to us is poured upon us by the Holy Spirit. This outpouring of grace and goodness causes the virgins, those made pure in heart by His forgiveness and gift of righteousness, to love Him. Putting these thoughts together, here’s my interpretation of verse 3:
“Holy Spirit has carried Your fragrance of love and grace to me.
Jesus, all that Your name makes available
is being poured upon me by the Holy Spirit.
It’s no wonder the pure in heart, the forgiven, love You.
I love You, Jesus.”
So, Jesus kisses us. “Poured forth” points to a continual and generous outpouring. He continuously and generously showers us with kisses of love, grace, mercy, goodness, and all that the name of Jesus makes available to us. The least that we could do is KISS HIM BACK!
Psalm 2:12 tells us to do exactly that. It says: "Kiss the Son." How do we do that? How do we kiss Jesus?
Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, …
Blessed are all they
that put their trust in him.
Psalm 2:11-12
We kiss Him and love on Him by faithfully serving Him. Fear and reverence Him. Rejoice in Him. Tremble before Him. Trust Him. These actions say I love you. And be like the Shulamite woman in Song of Solomon - tell Him you love Him with your words and worship.
Keep those Kisses Coming
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The Greatest Romance is a 10-week devotional style Bible study on The Song of Solomon. Verse by verse, all the symbolism (sexual and otherwise) is unlocked enabling you to understand this mystifying book and apply it to your relationship with Jesus.
You will discover:
The Savior's deep love & longing for you
Your true value
Freedom from generational issues
How you look in the realm of the spirit
What hinders your intimacy with Him
How to reach your destiny
The true purpose of Song of Solomon
And much more