Union & Communion: Thoughts on the Song of Solomon

Hudson Taylor’s little commentary on the Song of Solomon is considered a classic. It was originally published in 1893–1894 as a series in China’s Millions, the official magazine of the China Inland Mission, which Taylor had founded. This is a short devotional commentary that interprets the Song of Solomon entirely as an allegory of the intimate relationship between Jesus Christ (the Bridegroom) and the individual believer or the Church (the Bride).

Taylor suggests that the best way to understand the book is to find the key. He says, “Read without the key, this book is especially unintelligible, but that key is easily found in the express teaching of the New Testament.” John the Baptist recognised the Bridegroom in the person of Christ, and said, “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore, this is my joy of mine is fulfilled” (John 3:29).  Paul also, teaches us that the union of Christ with his Church “underlies the relationship of marriage, and affords the pattern for every godly union” (Ephesians 5:22-33).

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James Hudson Taylor (1832–1905) was a British missionary who founded the China Inland Mission (CIM). He spent 51 years in China and is renowned for adopting Chinese dress and customs. In is missionary life, Taylor mobilised over 800 missionaries and established hundreds of stations despite immense personal, financial, and physical hardships.