WAIT… THAT’S IN THE BIBLE? — DAY 10

A lighthearted look at some of the wonderfully unexpected things you discover when you actually read your Bible, context still matters!

“How beautiful you are, my darling!
Oh, how beautiful!
Your eyes behind your veil are doves.
Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from the hills of Gilead.”
Song of Songs 4:1

Ahhh… romance.

Flowers.

Candlelight.

Beautiful poetry.

And apparently…

GOATS.

Imagine your wife or girlfriend coming home from the hairdresser.

She turns around and asks:

“Well… what do you think?”

This is your moment.

You look deeply into her eyes and say:

“My darling…

your hair reminds me of…

A FLOCK OF GOATS DESCENDING A MOUNTAIN.”

Gentlemen…

I cannot guarantee how the rest of your evening will go.

“Report back. We’re praying for you”

Ancient romance poetry definitely hits a little differently.

Of course, context still matters! Song of Songs is beautiful Hebrew love poetry, filled with imagery that would have communicated beauty, abundance and admiration to its original audience.

A flock of dark goats flowing down the slopes of Gilead would have created a striking visual picture, the movement of the flock resembling long, flowing hair.

So yes

IT WAS A COMPLIMENT.

A very romantic one.

At the time.

But some biblical expressions of affection probably shouldn’t be copied word for word into your modern relationship.

So today’s biblical relationship advice:

Tell her she’s beautiful.

Tell her you love her.

Admire her hair.

But perhaps…

LEAVE THE GOATS OUT OF IT.