Tags
Dark Night, dark night of the soul, glory of god, Jesus, longing, love, prayer, Song of Solomon, thirsty
When i feel dry and lifeless i open the pages of the Song of Songs, believing that it is a story of my soul’s journey with Jesus. Sometimes i don’t know why i do this because it can be very frustrating. Not because the poetry is dull but because i often don’t know how to apply it. But i turn there again and again because i know there is a depth there i have not yet seen. My journey with the Song of Solomon has been like taking a sip from the ocean. I’ve tasted but i have yet to drink deeply.
I often start in chapter 5:10-16. This chapter tells of the Bride looking for her Beloved in the darkness of night. She experiences nothing pleasant in that time. It is, for her, truly a dark night for her soul. In the midst of it, being questioned why her Beloved is worth the suffering, sorrow, and travail, she erupts with adoration for her Savior.
These are gleanings of what i have found in the descriptions of Jesus. They were the balm upon the Bride’s soul; they have been so on mine as well. I hope that they prove helpful to someone who is thirsty for more of Jesus and longing to see his beauty.
Read Song of Songs 5:10-16 first, then you can borrow my notes in your prayer time. It is imperative that you take this to prayer, otherwise they’re more words to bog your spirit down.
Radiant ~ He is dazzling, shining, and full of the light and glory of God.
Ruddy ~ Ruddy means red or tan. Speaks of his humanity. He is earthy; he is near to you. He is involved in your story.
Head of gold ~ Gold speaks of his deity. He is a beautiful God. He is the most beautiful being. It speaks of his preeminence and leadership in all things.
Wavy, black hair ~ This tells of his covenant with you and devotion to you. His hair is black and wavy because he is devoted to you with youthful, passionate, vigorous love and zeal.
Eyes like doves ~ Doves are known for having only one mate their entire lives. This speaks of his single-hearted devotion to you. His eyes are on you. They don’t turn from you. He gazes at you with deep affection.
Beside streams ~ His love is thirst quenching water for your heart.
Bathed in milk ~ His eyes are pure. There is no lust, greed, covetousness or deceit in them. They are true and see you truly.
Beside a full pool ~ His eyes are full of tears. He has a deep heart and deep emotions. He weeps with you and over you in your sorrow and pain. He is moved to tears of joy because you love him. He rejoices deeply with you in your happiness.
Cheeks as a bed of spices ~ He has many emotions. He feels. He is not dry, lifeless, distant. He feels what you feel and feels for you.
Lips are lilies ~ The Kiss (revelation; see 1:2) of his word and love to you is pleasing, gentle and precious.
Dripping with myrrh ~ This is his invitation to take up your cross and fellowship with him in suffering. His love makes even death, whether to the world or ultimately, sweet because he has made it a door to fellowship.
Arms are rods of gold ~ He has all the omnipotence of his Father. All he does is done in the strength of God. He is God.
Set with jewels ~ These are the individual deeds done on your behalf, the small and the big miracles. Each one is a treasure given to you.
His body is polished ivory ~ He is all pure and holy, even in his human body. There is no flaw or inconsistency in his character at all.
Bedecked with sapphires ~ Sapphires are deep red gems. All he does for you is marked by his fiery love for you.
Legs are alabaster columns set on rods of gold ~ He is the Temple. All the fullness of God is pleased to dwell in him. He is fully human (alabaster) and fully God (gold). All that he did while on earth was done from the foundation of his deity.
His appearance is like Lebanon ~ He is strong like the cedars from Lebanon. Any vision of him or experience of his love, even internal, stabilizes your heart.
His mouth is most sweet ~ Whatever he speaks to you is sweet. Whether words of destiny, command, prophecy, words of love, rebuke, or discipline. You love to hear him speak because you love him and you want to be brought into his heart.
This is your Beloved Jesus, this is your friend. (5:16)
