His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven. His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set.
His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
Valentine's day is not a religious holiday but gives us the opportunity to reflect on the fact that God is love. Everyone of us are loved!
This scripture depicts and is a love song between King Solomon and the S woman. They fully appreciate each other and express it in very descriptive, intimate ways. They looked –beheld– each other not for just their outside appearance but for the person on the inside. They were made for each other, made each other feel important–more than a glance but took note who each really was.
Solomon also compares the Lord in such a way. His conclusion is that He is altogether lovely. When we look at Him we see everything lovely. Solomon was the king and as even stated here, he had a glory and look all his own, but Jesus would later say that Solomon in his glory was not a fair as the lilies of the field.
None of us are perfect. Sometimes couples don't see the flaws and imperfections of their sweetheart until they are married. Yet you overcome the faults and look past them. One thing we all strive for in some manner or another is to look attractive, even if only for respect to ourselves. Many times we are still not satisfied. Some think they are the most attractive one in the room, but they are the only one who thinks so. BUT GOD IS ALTOGETHER LOVELY, possessing no faults. There is nothing in
him to turn us off. He always has been and always will be
lovely–altogether lovely. Jesus is exactly what we need, what we've searched for, what we've always looked for. Regardless of race or culture there is ONE SAVIOR and HE IS LOVELY. He satisfies the desire to love and be loved. He loves me with all his heart as if I was the only one alive and then turns around and loves you with all his heart as if you were the only one alive. He is big enough to love us equally. He is altogether lovely.
What is Jesus more than another? Solomon's wife did not mention any other king; she was not looking for others. Jesus is more than a religious figure. In him we see our very best friend. Beloved means you were loved before you loved. It signifies an unchanging and unwavering love. The least we can do is turn around and see what he looks like. The devil doesn't want us to take a look at Jesus. He doesn't want us to see how attractive he is. He doesn't want us to see his countenance. Satan wants to paint up everything. Jesus wears no make-up; we see him as he is. He is perfect and needs nothing else. We can't do better than Jesus.
He surveyed the Lord's beauty. He had black hair, eyes like doves. What an experience for the people who saw Jesus while he was earth earth. They looked into the eyes of Jesus. Today we see them by faith. His lips were soft–he came the teacher of the ages. Yet his lips parched in thirst. His hands would have splinters from working in the carpenter's shop, yet they would be gentle enough to hold children, touch the leper, and motion for Lazarus to come from the dead. They would pick up the lost sheep–strong yet tender. That's our beloved–and He is altogether lovely. His belly may have been thin in the poverty he knew. He became poor for our sakes. He said the foxes have holes but he had no place to lay his head. His countenance was like the cedars of Lebanon. Even in his displeasure or disappointment, his countenance may have changed but the love could still be seen. The love comes through no matter what tone of voice–we hear love. Sometimes we put up with a lot with those we love and we reach our limit, BUT GOD HAS NO LIMIT ON HIS LOVE.
His head was crowned with thorns. That black hair was pulled. His tanned cheeks were smacked. His hands felt the nails. His belly was full of the sword of a soldier. His feet knew the pain of nails. While his countenance was one of suffering, he drew no line. He loved us through it. When he said "it is finished" he did not mean he was glad it was over. He finished it for us. Sometimes we give him no second thought, yet he appears before the Father for us. His reason is not himself, the angels or any other such thing–HE DID IT FOR US–WE ARE THE REASON. In dying he gave us the best Valentine. The best card is this Bible. If anything was ugly about him it was our ugliness, our rottenness, our wretchedness. If anyone is unlovely or unholy it is us. None are unloving to him. He took it unto himself and covered it with his blood. There has never been a time when he didn't love you and me.
Are we like Solomon and his wife? Do we see God as our beloved who is altogether lovely? Give Jesus a valentine and tell him you love him. If you've been neglectful as a Christian, tell him you love him. Whatever your state is with the Lord, young or old, we all have something to say to him. HE IS OUR BELOVED, AND HE IS ALTOGETHER LOVELY.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 