Inversion

By Matt

I read: Song of Songs 4-6

I know I had something really clever picked out for this 5th chapter when I wrote up the 4th chapter last week but, alas, I forgot it. Not completely unusual for me, eh?

But, anyways, here's what I got. Halfway through the chapter we get an inversion of an event that already happened in the book. Earlier the woman ran out into the city to find her lover and was successful. She was excited and overjoyed and everything and the night watchmen were helpful. However, when she runs out into the city at night in chapter 5 she can't find him and the night watchmen beat her up and her lover is no where to be found. So, yeah, pretty different.

But how did she end up in this state? It all starts with her bathed and in bed and not willing to get up to answer the door when he came a'knockin'. Eventually she relents and is glad he's there but by the time she gets to the door (oh, the problems of living in a palace with the wait staff gone for the night), he's gone. Thus the search.

So, is what happens a punishment? Why such a different outcome to her foray into the city? Far be it for me to say, but it could be one not so entirely logical conclusion. The moral of the story? Answer the door promptly. Or perhaps, be ready to respond to your lover quickly lest they get tired of knocking and go get a hotel room.

Something like that ;)