“Is she a wall?” There. I’ve asked it. What’s more, I’m pursuing it! But what in the world am I talking about?! My daughter and Song of Solomon 8:8b-9:
“What shall we do for our sister
on the day when she is spoken for?
If she is a wall,
we will build on her a battlement of silver,
but if she is a door,
we will enclose her with boards of cedar” (Song of Solomon 8:8b-9).
It’s occured to me that my oldest daughter is about the age for this advice—not to be graphic, you can read SS 8:8a, if you’d like—but how can I encourage her, as one godly woman to another, to be a wall?
Any experts or specialists out there on Song of Solomon and this verse/concept? At one point I read an interesting article on it, but now I can’t find it!
I do not want to read into Scripture. At the same time, I think it’s silly simply to equate a wall with a virgin. I need to borrow the Song of Songs Concordia Commentary from my folks this weekend to look into it further. I certainly respect Dr. Mitchell and his work.
I’ve spent a few days on it now and must say I’m having promising ideas. I can incorporate Scriptural imagery, emphasize Christ, flesh out vocation, etc.
Would it be crazy to think I could make a beautiful Christian equivalent to Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go? I would love to prepare something for my five daughters to teach them how I see them as Christian women, who can be faithful, strong, discerning, and a wall!
To be honest, there is a lot on my plate right now. If you could, would you pray for me and this one? It’s intimidating to raise a Christian girl in this fallen world.
PS. Does it matter if I call it Song of Songs or Song of Solomon? I never know.
On of the most inspiring pieces for me from Dr Mitchell’s commentary reads something like this, “The Song of Songs is best read two young girls on the laps of their mothers, just as the Proverbs should be read to boys and a laps of their fathers.” The Song of Songs has many faces and so much insight. I really believe that no phrase from it can only be understood one way, while it still holds clear and pointed messages of the Truth of Christ Jesus. I’ll be excited to see what you come up with. I’m working on a six part youth series that takes from Altogether Beautiful and directly addresses a younger audience for this beautiful book. Probably not as young as your daughter or concepts, which would be an awesome resource to have. We hide this book away and miss learning from it’s beautiful world pictures of our Creator, our Redeemer, a Spirit who dwells in us, and our relationship with them and as the Church together. So much of the Song is relational, well, all of it! We would do well to share it in relational contexts! (#altogetherbeautiful #redefinebeautiful – Sorry, couldn’t resist!)
That’s a great comment from Dr. Mitchell.
Heidi, your youth project sounds GREAT! I sure wish you and I could meet for coffee regularly. 🙂 Coordinate efforts. Maybe I can send you a draft when I figure things out further.
I second the need for useful resources for our girls! You both have great insights for us to utilize. Prayers for all of us raising daughters and thinking about how to write for them!