How beautiful you are . . .

Song of Songs Series, Part 2

Photo by Marcelo Matarazzo on Unsplash

“How beautiful you are, my darling! How very beautiful!” (Song of Songs 4:1)

Solomon is head over heels in love. He leaves no doubt in his bride’s mind how he feels about her. He showers her with compliments. He calls her endearing names. He declares that she alone has captured his heart. No wonder she feels so desired, valued, and loved.

As we study Song of Songs, which is an allegory of Christ and the church, what can we learn from Solomon’s interactions with his beloved that will help us understand how Jesus feels about his bride?

Solomon—Praising Her Beauty

First of all, we see that Solomon is completely captivated by his new wife. He can’t find enough creative ways to praise her appearance. “How beautiful you are . . . Your eyes are doves . . . your hair is like a flock of goats . . . your lips are like a scarlet ribbon” (from Song of Songs 4).

Now if my husband began to speak to me in poetic language like that, I would start laughing, but then I might secretly like it too. What woman doesn’t want to be reassured from time to time that she is attractive and desirable?

Jesus, our Bridegroom

Maybe it has already occurred to you that Jesus considers his bride—you and me—beautiful, but I never thought about it until I began studying this book. I find myself rather incredulous at the idea. But it must be so. After all, He is the Originator, the Artist, who did not create our sinful nature. So when Jesus cleanses us, he sees the beauty of his original design far more clearly than we do.

A person holding a clean glass will be able to see their reflection, though faintly. When Jesus washes us sparkling clean, He can see Himself in us fully. And His image is beautiful.

There’s a known phenomenon—people in love tend to see themselves in one another. Jesus sees His Bride through such love-tinted glasses. Isn’t it amazing that despite our fallen state, He sees beauty that reflects Him?

Solomon—Praising Her Flawlessness

In Song of Songs 4:7 Solomon says, “All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you.” I wonder how his beloved responded to these words. Did her face register disbelief for a moment? Did she giggle nervously?

Jesus, our Bridegroom

We women can quickly list our physical imperfections because we have been comparing ourselves to one another all our lives. And we’re just as sensitive about our character flaws. How can we accept, then, that Jesus sees us as spiritually flawless?

Hebrews 10:13 states, “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” So it is HIS work of perfection that allows Him to see us “without stain or blemish” (Ephesians 5:27).

I tend to focus on my imperfections and camp on my failures. But I’m beginning to understand that it is better to focus on how the Lord sees me rather than on how I see myself.

Solomon—Expressing Affection

And then, throughout this love poem, Solomon uses various endearing terms to express his affection. He calls his bride “my dove, my treasure, my darling, my sister, my love.” When a husband expresses affection for his wife, it strengthens their bond.

Jesus, our Bridegroom

For many years I believed God loved me, but did he like me? I couldn’t imagine it. I thought God’s agape love meant that He possessed a great, unshakable ability to tolerate me. It took a special encounter with the Lord that began to address my distorted view of Him.

To like someone is to be fond of them. To have affection for them. Did you know that the Bible mentions the Lord’s affection? Paul writes, “God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:8). So there you have it—scriptural evidence that Jesus likes you and me!

Let’s define in broader terms what this means. Affection includes liking someone, but it goes beyond that. It suggests:

• genuine fondness

• heartfelt care

• compassion

• emotional warmth

• and a desire for the other person’s good

Jesus has great affection for His bride. He delights in you and me!

Solomon—Delighting in His Private Garden

Solomon tells his beloved, “You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride; you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain” (Song of Songs 4:12). In other words, his bride is like a private garden reserved for him and like his own protected spring, remaining pure. I love this imagery. It highlights the bride’s cherished status and the exclusivity of their love.

Jesus, our Bridegroom

In the New Testament the metaphors change, but the concept remains the same. For example, Paul writes, Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Paul could just as easily have written that we are a private garden reserved for the Lord, sealed by the Holy Spirit. And what about being “an enclosed spring”? Jesus said, “. . . those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life” (John 4:14).

Response

I’m so grateful that Jesus sees us in a much better light than we tend to see ourselves. Even though in this world we struggle against our sin nature, we already possess His image, which is beautiful, flawless. I love that He cherishes us as His own and that we can enjoy sweet fellowship with Him in the privacy of our garden—the secret place of our hearts. And to think He is genuinely fond of us! I still find that truth beyond amazing.