Song of Solomon 5:9 What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us? 10 My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. 11 His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven. 12 His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. 13 His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. 14 His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. 15 His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. 16 His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
This woman is talking about her beloved, describing him from head to toe. How often do you regard the one you love? We get used to one another and take each other for granted. We do that to Jesus too. We fail to stop and look at our beloved Savior and all his features. It’s written by historian Josephus that a Roman envoy observed Jesus and reported back details on his appearance but concluded “is not this the Christ?” Not of royalty. He was a plain person but something about Jesus touched this envoy.
Solomon wrote this about his relationship with a woman he was betrothed to. It’s portrayed as a picture of the Messiah and the relationship He would have with His people, a relationship stronger and deeper than that between a husband and wife. God proved his love. While we were sinners He died for us. There is nothing beautiful here. Sin makes us ugly in the eyes of God, yet Jesus came to us, the Rose of Sharon and Lily of the Valley. In the midst and ugliness of our sin He came. We all got a little fixed up to come today so we could be more presentable to each other, but we could do nothing to be acceptable to God.
She described King Solomon head to toe but ended with “he is altogether lovely.” Jesus came, not with movie star status, not an athlete to be noted. He was lowly, of no beauty to look upon. He took on the form of everyday humans. The Pharisees wanted to promote Jesus as unholy, a sinner. They tried to trick him, but all the demons in hell can’t stop Jesus from loving us. He did nothing out of line. We do but He did not. He chose not to sin. He was tempted in every way that we are but never failed. We do but not Jesus!
After all the descriptions in verses 10-16 she sized him up. Take a good look at the Savior. We can trust his will for our lives. We can trust his intellect. He wore the crown of thorns so we wouldn’t have to. We’re unworthy of all He went through for us, all because He loved us. His precious eyes looked at us in compassion; they wept at the grave of Lazarus. Then there were tears brought on by the punishment. His face was smacked and his beard pulled out. All because of our sin. It should have been me. He became sin for us and endured it all. I love you written in red, the red blood of Jesus. He should have said we weren’t worth it; instead He said “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Why? He loved us. John 3:16: for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
She had no idea why the king loved her but she didn’t worry because she knew he did. Come to this conclusion about the Lord and say he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend. Jesus will never let you down. Trust him. He’s the best friend you’ll ever have.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 