Solomon's Song Introduction

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      Preface
      Introduction
      Bible Notes
Preface

One day, while seeking spiritual guidance, I asked God, 'What shall you have me know today?' I arbitrarily opened the Bible to The Song of Solomon and immediately thought, 'No, not that!' because I believed the book was uninspired. The next day, when I got still, the book fell open to exactly the same page, and then again the next day and the next until I was weary of my own rejection of that book. Finally, I knew that there must be something I needed to learn from it. I opened the Bible at random again, this time to the first chapter of Proverbs and was humbled by Solomon's instructions on how to read his wisdom.

This began my earnest study of Solomon's song; I did little else for over a month. I read the book several times and researched the original meaning of the places mentioned to familiarize myself with the text, although at that time I had no more than a literal interpretation of the message. Then, beginning with the first verse, I asked God what it meant, and when the answer came, I wrote it down and then moved on to the next verse. I did not question the answers I was receiving or know the conclusion ahead of time; I just started writing. When the spiritual interpretation was complete, I was thrilled, for I saw, as never before, Solomon's prophetic wisdom hidden in seemingly romantic love letters. Although it is doubtful that he knew the precise form it would take or even what it was, he prophesied the part that woman would play in bringing the Comforter to conscious awareness and the nature of her trials and tribulations in giving it birth. It is both a singular and a universal message, relevant to the journey that we all must take from our first recognition of the Christ to the awareness of the Comforter.

Introduction

Moses, Solomon, Jesus, and Mary Baker Eddy: Church Builders

These four humble individuals - Moses, Solomon, Jesus, and Mary Baker Eddy - had something in common: they were all church builders. What was it that gave them this privilege and assignment? Was it because each one of them understood, recorded, and lived the pattern described in the Psalms where it is written, "For he spake, and it was done" (Ps 33:9)?

"He spake" is the primary, wholly spiritual fact. It is equivalent to "In the beginning was the Word," "All is infinite Mind," or in Principle is identity (John 1:1; SH 468:10). "And it was done" is the subjective state: Principle's activity. It is the infinite manifestation of the Word, or Mind, as in Mary Baker Eddy's statement, "All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation" (SH 468:10, emphasis added). Whoever understands the psalmist's primary statement, "He spake," must also witness being formed and moved by divine Mind. In other words, "and it was done" is the spiritual manifestation that individual reflects.

Whatever is true and based on divine Mind individually is also true collectively. The sharing of this Principle and its operation, being "with one accord in one place," is what we call church (Acts 2:1). These four witnesses must have perceived the grand collective scale of both God's word and manifestation or they could not have been guided to a demonstration of church.

Each of these witnesses received the Word, recorded their spiritual messages, and gave personal proofs to humanity by living in accord with the Word. Their lives were filled with trials and triumphs, and much was recorded, but the simplest and most concise statements of spiritual fact in the Bible are called songs.

In the book of Revelation, John recorded, "And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb" (15:3, emphasis added). Moses' most concise statement of God's word was the Ten Commandments; this was his song. Jesus gave us his songs: the Beatitudes contained in the Sermon on the Mount and his messages to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3. Solomon gave us his song hidden in love letters. Mary Baker Eddy gave us her song, her revelatory book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, leading us to the Comforter.

Below is a chart of some primary and subjective accomplishments of these four individuals.

Witness

Primary Message or Song

 Subjective Effect or Manifestation

Moses

- Ten Commandments

- Church in the Wilderness

Solomon

- The Song of Solomon

  - Temple in Israel

Jesus

- Beatitudes
- Sermon on the Mount
- The Revelation

- Spiritual Jesus exemplified Christ
- Spiritual healing
- Transfiguration
- Crucifixion
- Resurrection appearances
- Day of Pentecost
- The recording of Revelation

Mary Baker Eddy

- Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures
- Miscellaneous Writings
- Manual of the Mother Church
- Rudimental Divine Science
- Christ and Christmas
- Unity of Good

- Spiritual Mary Baker Eddy demonstrated the Comforter
- Discovered & founded Christian Science
- Reinstated primitive Christian healing
- Designed and built The First Church of Christ, Scientist, on a wholly spiritual foundation

The subjective state of each of their songs may appear to be both physical and spiritual, but "the one important interpretation of Scripture is the spiritual" (SH 320:24). The manifestation of church cannot exist without being aligned to the spiritual Principle, or Word, that created it. In other words, if a church fails to be God manifested, it fails to be a church. Divine effect requires divine cause. Divine cause establishes church.

Now, many of us know the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the Sermon on the Mount. Also, all of Mary Baker Eddy's published writings have been subject to deep scrutiny. Yet the profound wisdom of Solomon's song has remained for the most part unexplored. By deductive reasoning, however, we must conclude that since he built the temple in Israel, he must have understood primary spiritual cause and recorded it. What was it that he understood and gave us; what made him up to the task?

I believe that The Song of Solomon, seen in the light of Christian Science, is the primary message corresponding to his spiritual temple. His song, in its higher meaning, pictures a woman seeking and finding spiritual understanding as she lays aside her personal sense of life. Solomon could see that womanhood and manhood would ultimately sing together as one grand harmony.

"Metaphors abound in the Bible, and names are often expressive of spiritual ideas" (SH 320:4). Solomon wrote a timeless layered song with meaning hidden in names and symbolism. Like an archeological dig, the treasure needs to be unearthed, identified, and understood. His own Proverbs provide clues to his symbolism and urge us to search it for wisdom. Also, Solomon's juxtaposition of ideas brings to mind parallel phrases, similar metaphors, and spiritual vision found in other parts of Scripture and in Mrs. Eddy's writings.

The Song of Solomon is prophetic. Today, we can look back and confirm the promise, fill in the names and testimonies, and rejoice in the miracle of Mind manifested.

In writing "Solomon's Song Amplified," I assumed prophecy to be fulfilled and attempted to rewrite the pages in the same layered formatting that Solomon used but with today's symbolism and scientific method - Christian Science


Bible Notes

Nathan prophesied that David's son, Solomon, would be established in his kingdom: "He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. . . . [M]y mercy shall not depart away from him" (II Samuel 7:13?15).

After Solomon was made king, God appeared to him "and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee" (II Chr 1:7). Solomon's request was simple and full of integrity: "Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?" (II Chr 1:10). God honored his request, for Solomon had responded with humility and spiritual receptivity, proving his worthiness to build the temple.

To encourage a search for the treasure that Solomon hid in his writing, he provided clues in the introduction and conclusion of his Proverbs. These are the precious bookends of Solomon's profound wisdom, which he derived from God. King Lemuel's prophecy of a woman who "excellest them all" refers to an excellence above human goodness and activity and is a portrait of the woman and Womanhood who speaks so eloquently in Solomon's song (Prov 31:29).


Introduction to The Proverbs

The Proverbs are introduced with these words.

  The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. (1: 1-6)

Conclusion of The Proverbs

The Proverbs end with "the words of [K]ing Lemuel, the prophecy that his [Solomon's] mother taught him" (31:1).

  Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. (31:10-31, emphasis added)


What Other People Have Said about The Song of Solomon

Josephus, a first century Christian writer, calls the work "hymns
to God."

Catholic and Jewish traditions suggest the following interpretation:
The lover is JAHWEH, and the beloved is Israel.

Christian tradition suggests the following interpretations:
- The bride is the church.
- The song is the relation of God and the individual soul.
- The bride is the Virgin Mary.
- The bride is Solomon's kingdom. (Martin Luther)
- The bride is the individual believer.


A New Inspiration

The advent of Christ, Christian Science, and the two individual revelators uncover a whole new dimension to The Song of Solomon. Did Solomon know the type of manhood and womanhood that when wedded to their deific Principle would revolutionize the world? Did he describe a pattern that would later be fulfilled? If so, we should be able to find our place and see if the ideas he presents coordinate with later-day history.


Reference key

Gen = Genesis
Isa = Isaiah
Jer = Jeremiah
Matt = Matthew
Pet = Peter
Rev = Revelation
SH = "Science and Health with key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy
Ret = "Retrospection and Introspection" by Mary Baker Eddy

Home Introduction Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Listen to Go to Chapter 1
      Preface
      Introduction
      Bible Notes