Scholarly Reflections
Daniélou, Jean, S.J. "Chapter Twelve: The Canticle of Canticles." The Bible and the Liturgy." Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1956, pp. 191-207.
Daniélou recognizes that the relationship of God and his people in Exodus serves as a figurative description of marriage. However, that relationship and earthly marriage relationships are in themselves a picture of the relationship of God and his people in His eternal kingdom. This draws Daniélou's discussion to the Canticle of Canticles, which may depict the future marriage of eternity (Daniélou 1956, 191). Tertullian sees baptism as the entry into this eternal marriage, while Cyril of Jerusalem sees the Eucharist as the operative element (Daniélou 1956, 192).
Daniélou walks through the order of baptism, describing each element in order as interpreted by the Fathers in terms of the Canticle (Daniélou 1956, 193ff). Entrance into the place of baptism is compared to entry into the marital bed changer. The baptism itself may be related to the numerous mentions of washing found in the Canticle, also frequently associated with a flock of sheep, taken to represent Christians (Daniélou 1956, 196). The clothing of the newly baptized witha white garment is taken to be foreshadowed in the statements of the Canticle describing putting on special clothes (Daniélou 1956, 198). This can be understood both as being clothed with Christ to live a Christian life on earth and as being dressed in everlasting glory as an eschatological hope. The eucharist is thought to be a temporal fulfillment of the eternal heavenly feast, which in turn is prefigured by the Canticle's mention of a banquet (Daniélou 1956, 203).