What shall we do
for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for? (KJV, Song of Songs 8:8).
Here the writer
explores the role of family in helping the young develop healthy sexual
attitudes and boundaries. Keeping in mind Shulamith’s repeating charge: [Do
not] awaken love until the time is right (NLT, 2:7), we have a foundation from which
to interpret 8:8-12.
The speaker has
changed. Now we have the older siblings of a young woman asking how they can
protect their little sister: If she is a wall, we will build towers
of silver on her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar (v. 9). The poetically blunt message here is
that walls keep people out and doors let people in. If our sister
has good judgment and maintains healthy boundaries with boys, then we will
reward her with praise. But if she is promiscuous and acts more like a door
than a wall, then we will be her wall. We will protect her until such time as
she is able to make better choices (Author’s
Paraphrase).
The message of
verses 11 and 12 is clear. Solomon owns many vineyards and they are his; he can
buy or sell as he pleases. Shulamith uses poetic language to say she has a
vineyard as well. Regardless of Solomon’s wealth and power, she alone is
steward over her own sexuality.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
How can you help the
children and teenagers in your life develop healthy sexual boundaries?
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