This useful book is published in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries series. The contributors to this series maintain that, ‘The Old Testament remains the Word of God for us today’. The Bible is examined section by section and explained under three headings, context, comment and meaning.
Iain Duguid is Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies at Grove City College, Pennsylvania. His commentary leans heavily on his lecture notes, but is far from a dry, theological treatise. It has grown out of a series of sermons he preached on the Song of Songs. The subject matter did much to boost his regular attendance of students.
Around one third of the book is an introduction to the Song. He deals with subjects like authorship and interpretation, and the various themes and messages of the book. He shows how both historical and modern authors have examined this love song from the allegorical, natural and typological perspectives.
He shows how the Song of Songs presents sex not as something to be snickered at, but as something designed as an expression of mutual love between a man and a woman, from the beginning of creation: ‘The Song places sexual expression firmly within the context of permanent, monogamous marriage: it is in that context and that context alone, that sex is good and pure’ (p.41).
Duguid also shows how the Song speaks to us of Christ and the gospel. He writes: ‘The Song challenges all of us as failed lovers and points us to the perfect Lover, who has loved us and given himself for us. Jesus enfleshed that love for the sake of his bride, the church’ (p.51).
If you are a preacher, buy this book. If you want to know what real love is, buy it; and, if you want to help others see that Christ is in all the Scriptures, then buy it.
Michael Bentley
Bracknell
