Bible: 5 Poetic Books

Lesson 7: The Book of Song of Songs (Song of Solomon)

Inspiration and activities

1. For the men: In several sections of the Song of Solomon, the Beloved is compared to a beautiful flower. Think of a rose, and compose a poem for your lover that shows she is even more beautiful than any natural wonder. Then write it inside a card, and attach it to a bouquet of flowers--on a day when there is no other reason to do so except to show your love! Why not visit a park together that day too? The fresh and natural beauty will do you some good (and you can enjoy the SCENERY too!).

2. For the women: In many sections of the Song of Solomon, the Lover is compared to images of strength--for example, "His arms are rods of gold". Create a poem full of strong imagery that shows how much you value the strength of your mate and the strength he gives to you. Then write it inside a card, and attach it to a gift certificate at his favorite hardware store. Better yet, surprise him with a gym membership, so he stays in shape for you!

3. Your ____ is like ________. These are called similes, fellow poets, and they are found in many places throughout Song of Songs. For example,

"His eyes are like doves"

Make a list of 10 you can find in this book of the Bible, then create 10 unique ones to describe your beloved. Make them personal, make them items that only the two of you understand…but make them!

4. Look at the list of similes above, and see what happens when you drop the "like":

"His eyes are doves"

It becomes a metaphor, an even stronger image. This too, is used many times throughout Song of Solomon. Again, find ten of them, the first one being

"His arms are rods of gold".

Now change the list you created in #3 and see which ones are stronger by dropping the "like". Integrate some of these images into a beautiful poem for your lover. Now that you’ve been so creative, come up with a creative way to give it to her (I know someone who put a marriage proposal in a fortune cookie, because he took his girlfriend to a Chinese restaurant after a movie on their first date…)

5. Don't wait for Valentine's Day! Write a love poem and find or make a special gift for July 8th or September 14th or December 2nd, or...TODAY!

and call it a "CAN YOU BELIEVE IT'S NOT VALENTINE'S DAY?" gift.

6. Feeling brave? Read Song of Solomon together with your spouse! I’m not sure what will draw you closer, the passionate imagery…or the laughter!

7. Still have a copy of your wedding vows? No? Update them for today, and send your lover a copy in a typed envelope with no return address. When he or she opens it and sees your creation, it'll be a pleasant surprise that will have a lasting effect. Saying you'd marry the person all over again is a great expression of love (how about renewing those vows?).

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