I don’t think I’ve ever heard a sermon preached on Song
of Songs in my twenty two-ish years of life in the church. This is probably due
to many Christians (including pastors) not always knowing quite what to do with
the text. God is never specifically mentioned within the eight chapters of the
book, and the scripture initially seems to be filled only with sexual innuendos
leaving readers to wonder how it ever came to be one of the wisdom literature
books in the bible in the first place. However, if one is to read the text
through a feminist lens, there is much to be gleaned beyond the surface level.
For instance, Song of Songs provides us with perspectives about the power of
women and the importance of egalitarian relationships.
We do not have to look very far within the culture in
which we work, live, play, and learn today in order to find sure signs that
women are generally considered man’s less-than-equal counterpart. Women do not get paid as much as men do in
various jobs. Women are not always chosen for certain jobs due to their gender.
Women who are single mothers are considered irresponsible human beings while
single fathers tend to steal the show (“What a great guy!” you’ll often hear
people say.). When women stay with significant others who abuse them in various
ways, more attention is focused on how “weak” the woman is rather than taking a
minute to try to understand her side
of the story. I do not say these things to discount mankind as a whole in our
world, but I do wish to point out that there are inarguable biases in our
society toward men and that we all need to be more active in our efforts toward
standing in solidarity with women for equality. And believe it or not, Song of Solomon
provides its readers with tools that encourage such equality.
Throughout the book, the Shulammite woman continuously
does what she has to do in order to be with the man she loves despite all who
are against her. She thrives despite the chastisement from the Jerusalem
daughters about her love for the man and does not let the guards of the city
abusing her keep her from pressing on to find and be with her love. (Now, that
is a powerful woman!) Multiple times throughout the text it is made clear that
the male voice in the dialogical poetry that comprises Song of Songs is absolutely
captivated by the unnamed Shulammite woman whom he loves. They are (as far as
the reader and many commentators can tell) in a relationship based on equality.
In an article she wrote about Song of Songs
from a feminist and womanist perspective, Robin McCall says, “The Shulammite
has power over him, her lover acknowledges, not because of anything she has
done, but simply because she is herself— beautiful, desirable, and precious to
him.”[1] I
wonder what would happen if we were more diligent in telling little girls from
the earliest stages of their adolescence that they have power and that they
are enough just by being themselves and that they need not worry about fitting
into the norms deemed appropriate by culture and society. What if we told
little girls God created them for more than who society tells them they need to
be?
A recent top-of-the-chart country hit feeds the exact
opposite of the previously mentioned idea. Rising country star, RaeLynn, has
explained that her song, “God Made Girls,” is a tune of empowerment for young women.
Instead, however, the song seems to condone keeping in place the stereotypes, constraints,
and bold lines to which women are expected to adhere. RaeLynn’s idea of
empowering women and the ways in which McCall beckons us to notice the women empowerment
in Song of Songs seem like two very different concepts. Some of the “God Made
Girls” lyrics read, “Somebody's gotta wear a pretty skirt/Somebody's gotta be
the one to flirt/Somebody’s gotta wanna hold his hand, so God made girls.”
While it is acceptable for girls to grow up into young ladies and women who
like to do these things, I am incredibly confident in saying that God did not
create women specifically for these and other like-minded purposes.
We
need to give the women in our world a better representation of God’s love for
them and make clear that they are strong, powerful, and that they deserve
nothing less than the best—in their work, in their families, and in their
romantic relationships. And we, as the larger society, do not get to call those
shots! We must meet women where they are, empower them by standing in
solidarity with them, and remind them that they were created and are loved by
the One who loves them for nothing that they did, but simply because they are
themselves.
[1] Robin C. McCall, “‘Most
Beautiful Among Women’: Feminist/Womanist Contributions to Reading the Song of
Songs,” Review & Expositor 105
(August 2008): 430.
Bravo! I'm all teary after reading this. xoxo
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