The Best Plan Ever
This month our focus has been on improving the sexual relationship in your marriage. We know that God created purposes for sex in marriage. One is procreation—probably a given, because without it the human race would have died out eons ago. Yet, I think procreation is about more than just numbers of people. Procreation allows us to have families—places to love and to be loved. It gives us our heritage (both good and bad). It is our link to the past and to the future. Procreation perpetuates the human race.
Another purpose for sex in marriage is enjoyment. This is the part the Puritans never talked about, but sex in marriage is a gift to be fully enjoyed by both the husband and the wife. Though the book of Song of Solomon was written a long time ago, it gives us a picture of how sex is supposed to be celebrated in a marriage relationship. In the book, we read about how Solomon enjoys his wife’s body, how he and his wife are fulfilled, the closeness their sexual relationship brings them, how sex helps to grow their love for each other, and how their commitment to each other deepens through sexual intimacy.
In one chapter, Solomon describes his love and desire for his wife; he starts at her head and works his way down her body. In another, he starts at her feet and works his way up her body. He talks of enjoying making love to his wife all night long. His wife cherishes the way he loves her and cares for her. She willingly gives herself to him. It is a beautiful picture of the joys of sex in marriage.
You might decide that you want to read this book. I did, and it changed the way I look at the sexual relationship in marriage: It put the discussion of sex back on the table; it gave me freedom to enjoy sex as never before; it helped me more clearly see the misguided ideas about sex and sexuality that our culture gives us. You can find this book in any bookstore—it is part of a larger book called the Holy Bible, God’s recorded communication to us. So if you think God is a prude who is against sex, wait till you read the Song of Solomon. God’s plan for sex in marriage is simply the best plan ever.