Thursday, June 10, 2010

Day 7- Altogether Lovely one

"His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely." [Song of Songs 5: 16]

Today's title/description of Christ comes from the book of Song of Songs. Though there is little evidence to argue, this book of scripture has long been interpreted amongst Jewish and Christian scholars to be allegorically describing the relationship between God/Christ and His people as surely as it describes the relationship between a man and a woman. Though the sexual tones of much of this book lead many to cringe or raise their brows in suspicion at this allegorical interpretation, others, myself included, see its tremendous beauty.

Though we are concentrating today on Christ being the altogether lovely one described in the above verse, in order to see why He is described as such, we need to start with verse 10. Before we do so, a small disclaimer is in order: The way that beauty is described in Hebrew culture will seem odd to us 21st century westerners. To even try to picture what the girl is describing in these verses is at times difficult for me, but I get her point nonetheless. By verse 16, we'll certainly be able to see why Christ stands out to those who love Him.

Let's take it verse by verse and see what we can learn:

"My lover is radiant and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand. " [10]
It has been suggested amongst many scholars that "radiant" (also translated "white" in many translations) denotes His purity, while "ruddy" (translated "red" in many translations) denotes the blood of His passion. "Outstanding" also translated as "chiefest" describes the lover as a standard bearer. He is conspicuous above all others. He sets the standard that is above all others. Just to give you an idea of how conspicuous He is- let's just say He would stand out in a crowd bigger than this:

"His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy and black as a raven." [11]
He is of perfect beauty, without any blemish. Some scholars believe that His head is of purest gold due to the crown of pure gold that rests upon His head as victor over sin and death. The Hebrew description of His hair as wavy envisions the branches of a palm, which, when in leaf, resemble waving plumes of feathers. The fact that His hair is black highlights His youthfulness and may say something regarding His short life on this earth ending at the prime of vigor and manliness.
"His eyes are like doves by the water streams, washed in milk, mounted like jewels." [12]
Doves, in Hebrew culture, are seen as pleasant, chaste, and innocent. They are milky white in color and like to abide by streams of water. There is a peacefulness to this image that the beloved may be describing in the eyes of her lover, perhaps the "peace that passeth all understanding" of Philippians 4. The waters may also refer to Christ's eyes as the fountain of tears and sympathy. His eyes being "mounted like jewels" sets the image of His eyes being perfectly placed as a precious stone is placed perfectly in a ring.
"His cheeks are like beds of spice yielding perfume. His lips are like lilies dripping with myrrh. " [13]
The cheeks, according to the Hebrew meaning, are "the seat of beauty". Not surprising as they comprise the majority of the face and we know from Scripture that the glory of God was seen in the face of Christ. Yet, these same cheeks were spat on by men. (Isaiah 50:6) Beds of spices envision the raised surface of a garden bed, blessedly fragrant to the nose and blessedly pleasing to the eyes. His lips being like lillies implies a softness and gentleness.
"His arms are rods of gold set with chrysolite. His body is like polished ivory decorated with sapphires." [14]

This is chrysolite. It is one of the stones found on the high priest's breastplate and one of the stones that will be found in the foundation of the new Jerusalem. His body described as "polished ivory" again shows us Christ's spotlessness and purity. The blue color of the sapphire is likely symbolic of His heavenly nature, which overlaid his earthly body. "His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as its cedars." [15]
Both the marble and the pillars in this passage represent the strength and shapeliness of His legs. His feet are gold just as His head was described as gold. Christ was tried in the fire and found to be without alloy. His appearance or countenance is described as Lebanon which was known for its white limestone rocks, again illuminating His purity. The cedars of Lebanon are mentioned for their majesty, duration, greeness, and the refuge they afforded to other creatures, highlighting Christ's own majesty, never-ending kingdom, refuge, and fruitfulness.
"His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my lover, this my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem." [16]
Everything about the lover is perfect or altogether lovely. This answers the question asked by the daughters of Jerusalem in verse 9: "What is your beloved more than another beloved, O most beautiful among women? What is your beloved more than another beloved that you thus adjur us?"

THIS lover being described is Christ the Lord. He is different from EVERY other beloved because He is perfect and everything about Him is lovely. This passage of Scripture, along with some in Revelation, Daniel, and Ezekiel, are some of the only ones we find in Scripture describing the absolute glory, perfection, and beauty of our Lord. While He was on earth, Isaiah tells us that He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him. The tables have turned. He is unveiled now in the heavenlies as He really is- the altogether lovely one.

Tomorrow's study will be on Revelation 3:14, Christ as the "Amen."

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