K is for KISS

[This is the MILLERWRITES contribution to the 2012 Blogging A to Z April Challenge  Here is my INTRODUCTION to this particular series, and an opportunity for you to influence which alphabetically aligned weird words I will comment on this month.  THANK YOU for stopping by!]

I found 46 references in the Bible to verses that use the word KISS.  I did not make a very careful count of their uses, but it seems that a large percentage of the time the KISS is misused.  In these cases it is either offered to an idol, or as a distraction to some foul-play, or as a sign of betrayal.

The very first KISS mentioned comes in Genesis when the blind old Isaac is about to give his blessing to Jacob who is masquerading as Esau, just to steal the blessing.  Jake is wearing Esau's clothes so he will actually smell like his twin brother when he comes in close to Isaac for the blessing.  No, the patriarchs were not chosen for their high characters.  They were just the coincidental descendants of Abraham who was just chosen.

Interestingly, most 'kisses' refer to men kissing other men or women kissing other women.  Some are sincere kisses of familial affection or brotherly love, or given as part of a blessing.  Joab was the first to use a KISS so cynically that while he pretended to give Amasa a KISS of greeting, instead plunged his dagger in and Amasa's intestines spilled out.

In Job 31:26-38 we find an important reminder of how careful we should be in even 'throwing' a KISS!

 if I have regarded the sun in its radiance
or the moon moving in splendor,
 so that my heart was secretly enticed
and my hand offered them a KISS of homage,
 then these also would be sins to be judged,
for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.

I truly enjoy the moon and thinking about its phases and effects on the earth etc, but must be careful to remember that it is only another of God's 'creatures'; something made and put in place for a purpose.

This one from Psalm 85:10 teaches us something about the compatibility required for an appropriate KISS.

Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. 

The first time a man and woman KISS in the Bible is in an evil setting, when an adulteress grabs a guy in the street to seduce him.  Proverbs 7:13-18

13 She took hold of him and kissed him
and with a brazen face she said:
 14 “Today I fulfilled my vows,
and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.
15 So I came out to meet you;
I looked for you and have found you!
16 I have covered my bed
with colored linens from Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
let’s enjoy ourselves with love! 

But the Song of Songs describes a very intimate, often erotic (if you can interpret the poetry!), relationship between a man and his wife, who are deeply in love.  In the very first verse she is longing to be KISSED by her lover.

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— for your love is more delightful than wine. 

The New Testament references to KISS are divided into one of two subjects.  Many are referring to Judas using this special act so callously, as a signal to Jesus' captors.

Luke 22:48
but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 

Here Jesus was not trying to 'find out', but was using the question to convict Judas of his unimaginable guilt.  It worked.

The rest of the NT KISS verses are calling the church into simple loving platonic fellowship, as in 1 Peter , the last time Kiss appears in the Bible.
1 Peter 5:14
Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.