Reading: “Let him kiss me … Draw me away!” Song of Solomon 1:1-4

Every Christian knows the pain of spiritual inconsistency. Robert Robinson the English Baptist preacher and hymn-writer summed it up when he spoke of the paradox of “leav

[ing] the God we love.” The Shulamite in the Song of Solomon typifies very well this paradox; she yearns for his love but struggles to reciprocate that love (see especially 5:2-9).

Right at the beginning of the book she cries out for a confirmation of his affection and throughout the book she continually reveals her insecurity. She is aware that her weather-beaten appearance might be unattractive and so she feels unworthy of his love (1:5). She is self-deprecating, perhaps for the same reason (2:1). She hides from him (2:14). She is conscious of the little irksome annoyances that hinder her relationship (2:15). She struggles with indifference towards him and then feels the weight of his absence. All of this makes her “lovesick”—an expression only she uses (2:5, 5:8).

Consider Solomon through all this insecurity and inconsistency, and look to Him who is greater than Solomon, our Savior and lover of our souls (Matthew 12:42). Solomon never gives up his pursuit of the Shulamite. He comes to her (5:3), calls her away (2:10, 13). He may withdraw for a time, but only that she might be drawn out in deeper love for him (5:10-16).