Summary of the Bible in a Year: 17. Romance

 Song of Solomon 8:6 ESV

Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord.

I'm reminded of the hymn 'Before the Throne of God Above' which says that 'my name is graven on his hands; my name is written on his heart'. At face value this verse is about romantic love, after all, that's what the Song of Songs is about.

I'm also reminded of the wedding vows which declare we will love one another 'til death us so part'. Romantic love might be as strong as death. Yet in eternity, romantic love will be no more.

Jealousy isn't necessarily a bad thing. If our spouses are flirted with, we shouldn't just shrug our shoulders. We should care and be angered if people disrespect us and our spouses.

This verse is the only mention of God in the Song of Songs. Romantic love is good, but God's 'agape', sacrificial love is greater still. Christ died for sinners: the greatest of all loves.

'Dear Lord, we're grateful for romantic love, but we thank you above all for your agape love for sinners like us. Please forgive us, in Jesus' name, amen'.

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