(Angela Corrigan kisses her daughter goodbye before leaving for Iraq.)
"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine..." Song of Solomon 1:2
Would we like to be hugged and kissed by God? I surely would! It is an act of the deepest affection that God has given to the universe.
Kissing is a common practice in the Bible.
Jesus said to the Pharisee, "You didn't greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet." Luke 7:45
Peter said, "Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ." 1Peter 5:14
Paul said, "Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss." 1 Thessalonians 5:26
We don't do much kissing in our society. We save that for spouses and perhaps our parents and children. But it is different in the middle east.
"Cheek kissing in the Arab world is relatively common, between friends and relatives. Cheek kissing between males is very common. However, cheek kissing between a male and female is usually considered inappropriate, unless within the same family; e.g. brother and sister, or if they are a married couple.
Pulpit Commentary says:
...the meaning is simply that of affection. The great majority of Christian commentators have regarded the words as expressive of desire towards God.
The comparison with wine may be taken either as denoting sweetness or exhilarating effects.
The bride is surrounded by her admiring companions and attendants. They are congratulating her on the king's love. She speaks as from the midst of the company of ladies.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary says:
...of his mouth—marking the tenderest affection. For a king to permit his hands, or even garment, to be kissed, was counted a great honor; but that he should himself kiss another with his mouth is the greatest honor.
It is a great honor to be loved by God so much that we may be kissed by Him. As a big family in heaven, I'm sure we will be hugging and kissing all the time!
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