Preaching the Word: The Song of Solomon—An Invitation to Intimacy
Overview
Our culture holds the megaphone when it comes to talking about sex today. Yet the church has maintained a reputation for keeping quiet, hesitant to teach people about this sacred aspect of life. The Song of Solomon, however, holds nothing back as it sings loudly about the holy practice of sexuality and pushes us into the conversation with godly theology.
While this biblical text has been subject to a broader range of interpretation probably than any other book in the Bible, Wisdom Literature expert Doug O’Donnell offers this comprehensible guide to help uncoil its complexities and solve its riddles. He explores the poetry, themes, and wisdom of this song from a Christocentric perspective, and gives us a profound, rich, and witty reflection that encourages right thinking and behavior.
Showing how this “song of songs” is meant to teach us about biblical sexuality and God’s heart for his people, O’Donnell elucidates on the greatest subject of all time—love.
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- Provides practical application from the Scriptures
- Contains exegesis and word study on The Song of Solomon
- Consists of material ideal for pastors and students
Top Highlights
“ ‘Before you touch her body, touch her heart and mind.’32” (Page 37)
“The book of Proverbs can be called ‘a book for boys.’ The word ‘son’ is used over forty times; the word ‘daughter’ is never used. ‘My son, stay away from that kind of girl, and don’t marry this kind of girl. But marry and save yourself for that girl—Proverbs 31:10–31.’ That’s how the book ends, quite intentionally, for Proverbs is a book for boys. The Song of Songs is a book for girls. And its message to girls is, ‘patience then passion’ or ‘uncompromised purity now; unquenchable passion then.’ I’ll put it this way: In Proverbs the young lad is told to take a cold shower. In the Song of Songs the young lassie is told to take a cold shower.” (Page 24)
“Indeed it was so very remarkable that first-century Jewish rabbis warned the young men of their congregations not to read the Song until they turned thirty. And Christian preacher Adam Clarke counseled pastors, saying, ‘I advise all young preachers to avoid preaching on Solomon’s Song.’” (Page 28)
“It’s important because the most fulfilled human being ever—our Lord Jesus Christ—lived without it. And so did John the Baptist and many of Jesus’ followers who came after him. Jesus was and is a virgin. That’s an important reality to remind ourselves of today and every day.” (Page 34)
“So we move from ‘him’ to ‘your,’ then to ‘you.’ Finally, we move from third person (him) to second person (you) to first person plural: ‘Let us run.’ The two have become one.” (Page 32)
Doug O’Donnell is becoming one of the most edifying pastors of our time. I heartily recommend this wise and winsome set of comments on a biblical book beloved by many Christians through the ages but sorely neglected in the present. May God use this commentary to renew the courage of pastors in preaching the Song of Solomon once again.
—Douglas A. Sweeney, professor of church history and the history of Christian thought, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
The wisest man this side of the incarnate Christ, inspired by the Holy Spirit, on a topic that always grabs attention, in poetry, in the Bible—could it get any better than the Song of Songs? You won't want to miss Doug O’Donnell’s exposition of the most sublime song.
—Jim Hamilton, assistant professor of biblical studies, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Song of Solomon is a delicate portion of Scripture, and Christians in our sex-crazed culture desperately need a biblical perspective on love and intimacy. Doug O’Donnell is a thoughtful, knowledgeable, reliable guide to this seldom-preached book. O’Donnell is himself a poet and scholar, sensitive to both the art and academic rigors of Solomon’s Song. He hits the mark of being exegetically accurate, thoroughly canonical, and boldly Christological.
—James A. Johnston, senior pastor, Tulsa Bible Church
- Title: The Song of Solomon—An Invitation to Intimacy
- Author: Douglas Sean O’Donnell
- Series: Preaching the Word
- Publisher: Crossway
- Print Publication Date: 2012
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Pages: 192
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. O.T. Song of Solomon › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Intimacy (Psychology) › Religious aspects--Christianity; Love › Religious aspects--Christianity
- ISBNs: 9781433523380, 9781433523465, 9781433523472, 9781433523489, 1433523388, 1433523469, 1433523477, 1433523485
- Resource ID: LLS:PRWDSO
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-10-27T04:59:57Z