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I Am Black, But Comely

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by KenH, Aug 16, 2024.

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  1. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    I am black, but comely."—Song of Solomon 1:5.

    See, my soul, whether thine experience corresponds to that of the church. Hast thou learnt from God the Spirit what thou art in thyself? Art thou truly sensible of the many sins and corruptions which lurk under fair appearances; and that, from carrying about with thee a body of sin and death, as the apostle said he did, in thee, that is, in thy flesh, dwelleth no good thing? Dost thou appear not only black in thine own view, but art thou despised for Christ's sake, and counted the offscouring of all things in the view of the world? Pause, my soul. Now look at the bright side. Art thou comely in Christ's righteousness, which he hath put upon thee? Comely in the sweet sanctifying grace of the Holy Ghost dwelling in thee? Comely in the eyes of God the Father, from being accepted in Jesus the Beloved? Comely in church communion and fellowship, walking in the fear of God, and under the comforts of the Holy Ghost? What sayest thou, my soul, to these sweet but soul-searching testimonies? If thou canst now take up the language of the church: "I am black, but comely;" lowly in thine own eyes, self-loathing, self-despising, self-abhorring; but in Jesus rejoicing, and in his salvation triumphing all the day; think, my soul, what will it be when the King, in whose comeliness thou art comely, shall take thee home, as a bride adorned for her husband, and thou shalt then be found, "not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing," but shalt be everlastingly holy, and without blame before him in love.

    - Robert Hawker, The Poor Man's Morning and Evening Portions, August 16, Morning
     
    #1 KenH, Aug 16, 2024
  2. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    I struggle to read the "thee's and thou's" of past commentators.
    It would be a blessing to have this translated into modern English.

    “Know, my brother, that you will find great differences in interpretation of the Song of Songs.
    In truth they differ because the Song of Songs resembles locks to which the keys have been lost.”
    Thus the great Jewish savant Saadia began his commentary on the Song of Songs.
    Marvin H. Pope, Song of Songs: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, vol. 7C, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2008), 89.​

    Allegorical interpretations are frowned upon when making interpretations of the Bible.
    The common exception seems to be the Song of Songs.

    The book is a love song.
    Song of Songs 1:5 displays no racial overtones nor any sin-stained darkness when it mentions blackness.
    The cause of the blackness is defined in the verse and relates to the natural darkening colorization (tan) related to exposure of the sun.

    Do not gaze at me because I am dark,
    because the sun has looked upon me.
    My mother’s sons were angry with me;
    they made me keeper of the vineyards,
    but my own vineyard I have not kept!
    Song of Solomon 1:6 (ESV)​

    The passage clearly presents a cultural discrimination between city-dwellers and country-folk.

    The expositor has allegorized the passage beyond its natural bounds.

    Rob
     
    #2 Deacon, Aug 17, 2024
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  3. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    The Song of Solomon is ALL about Christ Jesus and His bride - the church, the elect of God.
     
    #3 KenH, Aug 17, 2024
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  4. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    The Song of Solomon is all about love. What is the purpose of life without love? Too much "allegory" throws the baby out with the bath water.
     
    #4 Van, Aug 19, 2024
  5. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    The Song of Solomon, just like the rest of the Bible, from Genesis 1:1 all the way to Revelation 22:21, is ALL about the love of the Trinity - God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit - for the elect - those chosen by God before the world began and given to His Son to be their Surety(the elect's sins imputed to Him and paying their sin debt, His perfect righteousness imputed to the elect) and regenerated(given spiritual life) by the Holy Spirit and the elect being brought safely and securely to spend eternity with the Trinity.

    upload_2024-8-19_15-57-30.jpeg
     
    #5 KenH, Aug 19, 2024
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