The Song of Songs is so rich in meaning and interpretation that I've only scratched the surface. Here is a little bit of what I've discovered through reading commentaries and articles and meditating with prayer.
This is the song of the bridegroom to his bride on their wedding night. He knows she is uncertain and insecure. He uses skillful words to convey his affection. Each compliment is given while taking into account her tender sensibilities.
He takes time to earn her trust, assuring her that she is the most beautiful woman in the world to him. He praises seven physical attributes: her eyes, hair, teeth, lips/mouth, temples/cheeks, neck, and breasts. Seven is the number of perfection, and she is perfection to him.
We know that Jesus is our bridegroom. In these passages, He lets us know how beautiful we are to Him.
What does He see that makes us beautiful?
Only when the veil is removed can he see her eyes, soft and gentle, filled with anticipation. Our bridegroom, Jesus, sacrificed himself so the veil could be removed. He can look into our eyes now that sin has been removed.
Doves have binocular vision. They can only focus on one thing at a time. They mate for life and only have eyes for each other.
We are beautiful when our eyes are focused on Him.
This paints a picture of her hair flowing beautifully down her head like a black-haired herd of goats going down a mountain. Long, shimmering hair that bounces with health. Hair is a symbol of devotion to Christ.
We are beautiful when we have a healthy devotion to Christ.
Washing denotes purity. Each tooth has a twin, so they are balanced. Our top and bottom teeth work together to chew, so our food can be digested.
We are beautiful when we chew or meditate on the whole Word of God.
The mouth is associated with speech. Lovely speech flowing from a believer's mouth is edifying and acceptable to God, not the unclean words of a sinner.
We are beautiful when our words are edifying and acceptable to God.
Her cheeks were round and blushed red. Pomegranates represent fruitfulness. Her cheeks were plump and healthy from the wisdom and power of God. They also represent fertility and love because when you open them, they spill their seed.
We are beautiful when we love and are fruitful.
Her neck was upright, firm, and strong, adorned with chains of gold or pearls, or the like, to show off the beauty of her neck. The neck is what holds the head to the body. She was an intercessor strong enough to withstand thousands of battles.
We are beautiful when interceding for the body of Christ.
A woman's breasts are what feed and nurture her babies. Jesus is called the lily of the valley. We abide in Him so we can supply the needs of the body.
We are beautiful when we support and nurture new believers.
**This post is part of the #write28days Challenge, writing and posting EVERY DAY in February
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4 comments
The Song of Songs is so beautiful, but sometimes it makes me laugh, as I picture her neck hung with a thousand tiny shields. :)
Love all the insights into the symbolic meanings!
There is such a holy beauty found in receiving love and giving the love of God! Thanks, Jodee.
Wow, Jodee! Good job applying this scripture to the Bride of Christ!