I find myself speaking a lot about devotional material lately, reading and recommending devotional books for Christians and thinking about what’s involved in the devotional life of a believer. So I’d like to introduce a devotional book to you, but it’s not one you might expect, it’s on the Song of Songs.
In this 90 day devotional Tim Chester has compiled the thoughts of classic writers from the early days of the church right up until the 19th Century on the Song of Songs. Charles Spurgeon said that this book of the Bible is the Most Holy Place of Scripture. Here how Chester explains that…
“In the Song we meet Christ. The garden portrayed in the Song is a location created in the imagination, in which we may spend time with Christ and enjoy His love. The language of human love is intended to evoke an experience of divine love, and inspire in us a response of love. The Song channels our desires towards their true end, our Creator and Redeemer.”
Chester argues in his introduction that the Song of Songs should help us see the love of God for His people and the love of Christ for His church.
Chester has compiled these writings from a whole host of historical figures and their thoughts on the Song of Songs. He has edited them to make the reflections more readable which is helpful. However, if you’re not used to reading classical writings some of the devotions may still be a bit difficult to follow.
I’d say that this book could be helpful, but it probably wouldn’t be my go to devotional (although it’s the first I’ve read on the Song of Songs, I think!). Maybe if more work was done in the editing process to make the language a little more accessible for the average Christian may have helped. However, as an introduction to the book and a particular interpretation of it, this book may be of use to you.
Get your copy here and let me know what you think.
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