Song of Solomon 4:2-3a

This morning I invite you to turn with me to the book of Song of Solomon once again. I confess I certainly need your prayers in studying this book. It is a lot more complex than first meets the eye, and I have a need of great influence and insight. This morning I invite you to turn with me the Song of Solomon chapter four. And I’m going to read verses one to seven. Our focus is really going to be on verses two and three. Four, one to seven. Behold thou art fair, my love. Behold thou art fair. Thou hast dove’s eyes within thy locks. I hear. is as a flock of goats that appear from Mount Gilead. Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which come up from the washing, whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them. My lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely. Thy temples are like a piece of palm granite within thy locks. Thy neck is like the lower, excuse me, like the tower of David, built it for an armory, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men. By two breasts. I like two young rose that are twins, which feed among the lilies. Until the day break and the shadow flea away, what shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense. Thou art fair, my love. There is no spot in thee. God bless to it, his sacred word of this morning. Now for centuries, this book was considered a portrayal of Christ and the church. And that was the predominant view. That was the view found in Christian writings, spanning the early church, the medieval church, the the Reformation, the Puritan, and even in the modern era. Even Jewish tradition looks at this poetical book as representing the relationship between the Lord and his people. The book was even seen as, has been seen as an allegory, a story in which people and things and happenings have a hymn, hidden or symbolic means. However, since the 19th century, a carnal rather than a spiritual meaning has been gaining popularity. The song was seen as a collection of entirely human love poetry. This purely romantic view now is the dominant view that we have in our society. And so we have this problem today. For example, if you read the notes of the New Geneva Study Bible on this passage, an introduction to the book, the poem, they say, is perhaps best understood as expressing the depth of love between the Shulamite girl and her beloved shepherd in the language of romantic fantasy. She envisions him as a dashing king, the prince of her dreams. In this interpretation, Solomon is the an art-type lover, not an intruder. Yet he not only presents as one, the man who must be envy. The king shows us a world in which a country girl and a shepherd can be happy, can be happy and fulfilled as long as a king on his throne. Thus several arguments can be made advanced against this modern romantic reading. Remember what our Lord Jesus Christ caught his disciples at the end of Luke. He taught them to read all of the Old Testament as a revelation about Christ. Let me quote for Luke 2427. and all the prophets expounded under them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. Now that phrase all the scriptures seems to indicate to me very clearly that we can’t look at Song of Solomon as some kind of romantic poem when it has to say something about Christ for Christ said so. He also said this in Luke 2444. These are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses and in the prophets and in the Psalms concerning me. That’s the three divisions of the Old Testament. To say, an entire book of the Old Testament says nothing about Jesus Christ seems to conflict with what Jesus taught his disciples. And I think that in itself should give you a serious pause when you come to this book of the Bible. Did you notice in chapter one, I want to look at this. I in verse 1. Look at that passage. Notice how this book opens. The song declares itself to be the song of songs. Now how can it be merely a human romantic poetry? The song of songs in Hebrew, meaning means the supreme or supreme, the great, greatest song? How can that be the greatest song? It’s hard to believe that a romantic poem rates above all the songs in the Psalter and the focus, they focus on God’s glory and the love of his people and so forth. You’re telling me that this song that we’re looking at is the greatest, and yet it says nothing about Christ. Unless this revelation is about Jesus Christ, how can it be a supreme song above all the others? This song is said to be Solomon’s song. We’ve already talked about in the past how it’s Solomon is a type of Christ. And in many ways, his kingdom and so forth, his name, meaning peace, and Christ is a prince of peace. He’s… looked upon as the glorified Christ on the throne. That’s what he portrays to us. David, the earthly Savior in all his sufferings. There’s a universal kingdom. It was a peaceful time. The happiness of the people is mentioned. The richness that’s associated with his kingdom and so forth. All these things are portrayed to us in this song of Solomon. Scripture often speaks of marriage as a metaphor for Christ’s relationship with His people. We read it this morning in Psalm 45. That is probably the most basic one that we have in the Old Testament. But I could mention to you Matthew 22, 2 Corinthians 11, 1 to 4. Ephesians 5, 22 to 23, Revelation 19, 7, 7, and 8, read about the bride of Christ, being the church, and so forth. Is there any question about this? Isn’t it all through the scripture? The New Testament seems to use the phrases and languages of this song alluding to its actual meaning. Look with me at John 3, verses 28 and 29, if you would. The words of John Baptist, E yourselves bear me witness that I said, I am not to Christ, but I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom, which stand it, and heareth him, rejoice it greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. This is my joy, therefore, is fulfilled. And so we see here in this passage of Scripture that it’s very clear that the idea of bridegroom and so forth, we find in the language of the scripture here in the Gospels. It alludes to the actual meaning. Paul refers to Christ sanctifying and cleansing his wife, the church, so that it is a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle. We talked about this two weeks ago. It comes right from this passage. in the Psalm of Solomon, indicating that we are properly interpreting chapter 4 here in this way. Christ’s disciples are called virgins. Matthew 25, you have the 10 virgins, remember? 2 Corinthians 11, 2. Paul says he wants to present the Corinthians as a virginian to the virgin. Revelation 144 speaks about virgins as people that are undefiled who follow Christ. So Christ’s words are very clear. Look at his words to the lay in the scene in church. They seem to be directly taken from Psalm 5 to. Look at Psalm or Song of Solomon 5.2. While you’re looking at it, I’m going to read the passage from Revelation. Just compare the two. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will suck with him. And he with me, Revelation 320. Isn’t this the same as the bridegroom knocking at the door? And she is reluctant. to open it. And so we have the same issue laid out for us in this passage of scripture. So when we interpret the book, I think we have to keep these things in mind. I don’t want to be tedious this morning, but because of the common teaching today, I thought it might be wise just to touch on some of these issues. So when we look at this book, we have a right view of love it. Now, let’s review the various aspects of the bride’s beauty in verse one that we looked at previously. Christ declares the general beauty of his bride. We talked about you are the object of Christ’s love. He calls you my love. No one else holds this place of devotion. love in the eyes of Christ, except for his church. Christ is dedicated to you. He loves you with an everlasting love. He’s drawn you to himself. You have been made beautiful by Christ. And he says to you, thou art fair. Knowing your sinfulness, you may doubt it. You may say with Job, behold, I am vow. By nature, you’re corrupt. But by grace, you’re there is no spot in you, as verse seven indicates. Your beauty is made perfect by Christ’s beauty. You’re accepted in the beloved. There’s no question about that truth. You are encouraged to believe that you are beautiful. Behold, thou art fair. You know, people have doubts and hesitation about it. But three times in this passage, he tells you you’re fair. And he wants you to believe it by faith. Christ declares the specific beauty of his bride. We looked at two areas. The bride’s eyes. In scripture, the eyes are often used to set forth the understanding of a person. The eyes of your understanding of a person. The eyes of your understanding. being enlightened. That you may know what is the hope of his calling. Easons 118. We said that dove’s eyes are keen, sharp eyes. And the believer is able to see spiritual things which others cannot because they have been given eyesight to do so. I am come into this world that they which see not might see, Jesus said. John 9. Third and 9. So what Christ admires about you and I with regard to our eyes is your spiritual illumination. But you can understand spiritual things. Within thy locks speaks about the modesty of believers. They are wise. but there is no prideful showing us about it. The bride’s eyes. The bride’s hair we talked about last time. It’s a picture of a flock of goats with their long shining hair, covers the top of the mountain in both sides. It reminds us of a woman’s hair. And we said the significance is consecration to God. We talked about how Samson was devoted to the Lord. There was a dedication to him. Believers from the day of birth, the day of death, are Nazarites. They are to serve the Lord God. Talked about Mount Gilead, that ancient covenant between Jacob and Laban that took place on that mountain. And basically there were two things that stood out. One is that Jacob would not take out of wives and he would not cross over the mountain to harm Laban. Lavin wouldn’t cross over to harm him. And certainly this portrays Christ. and our benefit that the believers dedicated to Christ and not having any other God is important. And either Christ or the church do any harm one to another. That brings us now to the third part here that we want to look at. And that is Christ declares specific aspects of his bride’s beauty. and this will be part two, the bride’s teeth. Verse two. Now this is quite a good comparison with a healthy set of teeth, flawless in form and color and in number. A flock of sheep, even shorn, describes their perfect myth, you know, without the least unevenness or irregularity as we see. So we see that this is how it is viewed. Which came up from the washing. It speaks of the unstained whiteness of the teeth. White as wool. Where of every one bear twins, the upper… lower teeth exactly course of one to one another. It’s a perfect match. And none is barren, literally bereaved. In other words, there are double rows of teeth and there’s not one tooth missing or lost. That’s the picture. Now what is the spiritual meaning here of the teeth? Well, the teeth represent the faith of the believer. For Christ says this in John 6.63. 53. Except ye eat the flesh and drink the blood of the son of man. You have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life, John 6.54. This eating that we’re talking about here is not literal, but it’s by faith. that we eat of Christ. This is what Jesus announced. I am the bread of life. He that cometh to me shall never hunger. He that believeth on me shall never thirst. He that believeth on me shall never thirst. He that believeth in Christ hath eternal life. John 647. These things of course stand out very clearly to it. The natural man has no ability to feed on Christ. For he has no spiritual teeth. He has no faith to eat the bread of life. They have carnal teeth which are often used to harm others. The Bible calls them lion’s teeth and teeth that are spears and in the Psalms and the teeth of the ungatherer should certainly be broken according to scripture. Set before the natural man the bread of life and it goes untasted. The meat of the word of God is set before them and it remains untued. But the believer has the capacity to relish and enjoy the bread which comeeth down from heaven. I found thy word and did eat it. It was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. So this is the spiritual meaning behind the teeth. Now, let’s look at the spiritual characteristics of the teeth. In beautiful teeth, we have sound faith, are found a certain amount of spiritual health. Your teeth often portray much about your health. And so we have to watch our teeth and try to keep them in good repair. The teeth are strong and undecayed. The whole body is full of life and beauty. Faith is like a flock of sheep. Feeding on green pastures. Lacking nothing. Faith is like a flock of sheep ascending from the river, for it has constant reference to the fountain, open for sin and uncleaneness, Zacharii 131. Faith provides assurance that Christ has loved us and washed us from our sins, Revelation 15. It is never beautiful except to be newly come up from the washing. Faith is like a flock of sheep, all-bearing twins. For above all things, faith is fruitful. You know, the bride of Christ progresses rapidly when it possesses and retains such a flock. You grow exceedingly. when your faith keeps adding other graces to it. Peter talks about our faith, and then he talks very clearly about the need to add to your faith. You know, add your faith virtue, and then knowledge and temperance and patience and godliness and brotherly kindness and charity, as if all these things in 2nd Peter 1 are built on. faith. So that faith is the foundation for all these other graces. With these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. You know, nothing brings to the soul such riches of every grace. as faith when it increases according to the increase of God. So feeding on Christ is ever fruitful to the soul, and that makes him its food. So here is the bride’s teeth. The teeth has to do with the faith of the believer. And then the bride’s lips are found in verse 3. Now, when we think about the lips of the ungodly. We see the problem. And you’ll notice if you read the verse 3 carefully at the end that we’re really talking about, the speech, our speech here. In the ungodly, it is portrayed by the leper. It refers to uncleanness. You know how the ungodly had to stay outside the camp of Israel, cover, cover their their faces, their lips, and so forth, and cry out, unclean, unclean. The face is disfigured. The lips are revolting, and they are contagious, so they are isolated. In the Mosaic law, lepers were commanded, as I said, to stay outside to camp. They have to stay away from others. When Isaiah had revealed to him the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ sitting upon the throne high and lifted up. He immediately confesses when he sees the holiness of God that he’s a man of unclean lips. And he dwells among the people of unclean lips. So he takes up the lepers cry to explain his corrupt evil speech. A friend, we all start out in this situation where you have unclean lips. And even as Christians, we have to guard our tongues. You know, I find that every so often I use a slang word that I use since I was young, a young kid when I was at least a teenager. And every once in a while, that word slips out. And I, I’m getting ashamed that the word, it’s like it’s a habit. It’s built in. You’re trying to break that habit. And if I don’t pray for the Lord’s guidance and help, it’s easy to slip out. in the heat of the moment. And I find that James is right. No man can tame the tongue. It takes the Lord to change the tongue because we’re all born with unclean lips. And it’s easy to say things that we shouldn’t say. You know, the ungodly are said to have lying lips, poison under their lips, lips which talk mischief, and lips that are swords. These are the words that are used to describe lips of the ungodly. And so we have to recognize that’s how we start out. You know, where we all start out like Isaiah does in this passage of scripture. The lips of the believer are different. Isaiah found no relief from his unclean lips till that live coal was taken off the altar of God and touched to his lips. Instantly, it took away his iniquity, and the Lord forgave his sins. And so it is with you and I, his sinners. Lepreous from head to foot. And yet, ignorant of our true condition. You engage in great swelling words of vanity until the Holy Spirit reveals your corrupt state. Now you cover your leprous lips and cry out about your uncleanness. And God must change your lips. Take away from your whole your iniquity. The lips are a symbol of your wretched condition. And so we have to have our lips cleansed. And that’s exactly what this passage is talking about. Our speech needs cleansed. He says here that your lips are like a threat of scarlet. Now, how is it that you have thankfulness and praising lips, thankful lips, righteous lips, so that your speech is now holy, that it’s acceptable before God. Do you see the word scarlet there? This sort of explains everything. Lift up your eyes to the cross. Now as you look in faith, the red blood of the lamb drops on your defouled lips and cleanses them. Your lips now are scarlet covered. For Christ’s blood has cleansed your lips. The accompanying beauty of speech is the fruit of these scarlet lips. It is the work of Christ. Nothing is sweeter to the bridegroom than the speech that is with grace season with soul. My son, if thy lips speak right things, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. That’s what the Lord says. And so one of the things he delights in is the fact that our lips have now been changed and we have been given forgiveness. And we now speak in a holy manner. I will turn the peace. The I will turn to the people a pure lip that they may call upon the name of the Lord and serve him with one consent. And so we see the bride’s lips here. When instituting the Lord’s supper, Jesus took bread and he blessed it. And he break it. And he gave it to disciples. He said, take take. eat, this is my body. Now, the point of this eating of the bread is not physical nourishment, but it is the nourishment of the soul. So that what we’re doing physically, actually, we’re supposed to be doing spiritually in that we are partaking by faith of what Christ has provided. Jesus is encouraging you to use your spiritual teeth and partake of him by faith. The bread is a symbol of his dead body. The cup, a symbol of his shed blood. And so we are to feast on Christ by faith. And remember this. Your lips have been redeemed by Christ. therefore you need to have godly speech. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth. That which is good to the use of edified. That it may minister grace unto the hearers. Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet. And thy speech is calmly. That’s what the Lord delights in when he looks at you. and I. May the Lord bless us this morning as we ponder this passage of scripture. As difficult as it is, I pray that it was useful to us this morning and would be of help to us. Let’s have a word of prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank you for your goodness and provision in our lives. We fail you every day, Father. There’s much things that make us a shame. We’re thankful, Lord, for the change you’ve made in us. May you continue to work in us and help us. May we be forgiven of all our sins. And may you bless us by faith in these things that we’ve studied this morning and pondered. We pray that you would make these things liens to our souls.