Song of Solomon 7 DESCRIPTIONS OF DELIGHT To describe one’s heart-felt thoughts about the one we love is actually beyond the limitations of words. Even illustrations may seem redundant to a listener but not to one who loves another or one who knows they are loved. To the eyes of the Christians in the true church composed of those who know God, our hearts are moved in love to Him who first loved us. Those who are truly saved by His grace and who know Him personally are moved in our hearts to worship when we begin to describe our Lord and Savior with words and thoughts.
In a similar way, the Beloved speaks of the person who is the object of His special personal love. God tells us in His word [Eph.5], that husbands are to love their wives, “even as Christ love the church and gave Himself for it; that he might sanctify ands cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
His descriptions of the Shulamite bride begin with her feet that are dressed. She is not barefoot. The feet of the church are shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. Peace, not dissension is the characteristic that should be evident in the “prince’s daughter (bride).” The strong and beautiful legs make it possible for every part of the body to move forward in order to carry out individual functions in coordination with every need of testimony and public witness in the world. The thighs as jewels are a reminder of the subjection of the church to the will of God and the glory and beauty that is displayed because of that dignified submission.
What is within us will flow out. From within every true believer in the body of Christ, there should be that spiritual food that is the “finest of the wheat.” That which will benefit others, will first come from the benefit we have derived from the word of God. Food for our souls can become that which will strengthen and sustain others. Whatever we take in, is what we become. The more of Christ we take in, the more like Him we will become. The perfect breasts of the loved one reminds us of the affection we have for our Lord that nourishes and grows together in purity and beauty.
His description of the head of the lover is not one of persons under bondage, but her neck joins her to the One who has her whole-hearted love. She is free from bondage, there is no yoke on her neck, but she does not abuse that liberty. Her neck stands tall and strong like a pure white tower which is obvious to all who see her. She stands tall for the One she loves in holiness and purity. The eyes in her head reveal the calm peace in her soul that is not disturbed by all the ungodly things going on around her. The still waters of the soul keep one from being concerned with all the gossip and activities going on at the gate. Spiritual understanding takes a person beyond mere observation to the depths of conscious spiritual perception. That allows us to see the cause and effect of things we do.
The nose speaks of discernment; the ability to detect the “smell” of a matter. “That doesn’t smell right to me,” is a common expression when we have a reaction to something said or make a decision. We can tell whether a thing is of God because of the discernment the Holy Spirit gives us. When a matter is tested by the scriptures of truth, the reality of it becomes clear to us. We often know where such false or suspect things comes from.
To our Lord, the church stands out in the world like a mountain on which fruitful things grow. It is covered in purple, signifying the holy, dignified and royal submission of the bride to the bridegroom. She knows who is her Lord and King. Her long hair testifies to the honor she gives Him. He is held in His heart by her appreciation of the flowing blessings (galleries) He provided and she testifies to this with her glory. What delight He gets by just looking at His bride! She means so much to Him that he holds her who is so upright and fruitful, to Himself. Her affection for the Lord increases like clusters of grapes that grow larger in size. There is nothing that is offensive to Him as the odor of fragrant fruit and the taste of sweetness from her brings gladness and blessing to Him.
In the last part of the chapter, the Shulamite lover speaks. She knows what she means to her Beloved. He has centered His love upon His bride, the church. Our Lord Jesus prays for us; He mediates for us; He is our Great High Priest who is our Advocate with the Father. He suffered to bring us to God and now He lives before God on our behalf. The bride is assured that she is fully accepted by her Beloved, so she now longs for a place of privacy with Him. She knows the blessings of giving and receiving from Him. She knows the blessings of solitude and sweetness of being alone with Him. She knows He loves His garden and in that place is working still in His creative and sustaining power. So, it is there she goes back to the beginning of their personal relationship.
Certain places and events stand out in our lives where we have experienced the presence of the Lord in special ways. Love, and the rest it brings, moves us to spend time with our Lord early. It is in such times spiritual fruit develops and the evidence of true love for Him shows. We need to give our Lord His portion of all that He has given us. The fragrance and fullness of all we have received, will move us to lay up in store what we have to give to Him in the appropriate time, place and way. He has given us direction of one of the ways we can do this, so we lay aside a proportion of what He has given us each week to give to Him. We are at times blessed in a certain way with abundance of His grace, so in those cases we know He has some particular need in mind for us to meet. Most of all, He wants us personally: body, soul and spirit to be given to Him as a freewill offering and sacrifice – which is our “reasonable service.”
Son of Solomon 7:1. “How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince’s daughter! The joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman.” IN HIS EYES #2. From the feet to the head, though the eyes of the Lord, His view of the Church is sublime. He sees with the sight of one way beyond the norm, Seeing beauty unknown at this time.
The feet of His loved one are in work - resolute; As the work of the Church here progresses. United and lovely in the principles of truth, Thighs speak of the good life-style she possesses,
The fear of the Lord is health to the navel, It is wonderful for Him to behold. Her life filled with bounty of prosperity – spiritual; Is the nourishment that gives health to the soul.
Nourished by that which is food to the heart; He is delighted with what He can see. Joined to the Bridegroom in faith from the start; Such fellowship He has determined will be.
With nose lifted high, undaunted by fear, The true Church is able to discern When the enemy comes and danger draws near; From the tower of Lebanon, they will turn.
Her head is lifted high above all the turmoil around; With eyes of intelligence keen; Like the pools of Heshbon, where chaos abounds; Her countenance is calm and serene.
In the bride He is delighted to find all He wants,
He admires her attributes and beauty. He is impressed with her fullness and her precious fruits, He awaits when communion is shared fully.
“Insights of the Church from His view, Father God, help me to keep a clear picture in my mind of what the Church will look like when we are all able to be one completed whole in Thy presence. What reflected glory that will be! Amen.”