SOAP 04/24/2016; Song of Solomon 1:9-10

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 28, 29; Psalm 109; Matthew 11*

S) "^9 [k]To me, my darling, you are like
My mare among the chariots of Pharaoh.
¹⁰ Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments,
Your neck with strings of beads."

Song of Solomon 1:9-10 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Song of Solomon 1

O) Sometimes, the imagery of this book can be a little difficult to relate to more modern themes. There are a few reason these two verses really stood out to me. For one thing, there is a footnote with that first line, that it can be literally translated, "I have compared you to," and it's too bad the translators didn't directly translate there, because it's important to remember that Solomon chose his analogies and similes deliberately. By the very nature of poetry, he had to craft his words. He had to consider the beauty of his bride, and then choose how to convey that. Another thing that stood out to me here, is that v.10 stands in contrast with v.9. While the first lines are figurative, the second lines are literal. The third thing I noticed, is what exactly Solomon used for his analogy here. I was immediately reminded of a specific command about horses, chariots, and Egypt. (see Deut. 17:16). This gives us a small reminder that Solomon's intentions may have been in the right place, but how he displayed it wasn't necessarily good. Lastly, v.10 quickened my heart because my wife also has lovely cheeks. They are a prominent feature of her face, even without any jewelry on them (and I certainly think her neck is lovely, too).

A) The culture around me tries to paint a picture that we are all slaves to our DNA, or brain chemistry, or just our instincts. Even if that could somehow be proven biologically (which it can't, because it's really a question of philosophy), in Christ I am a new creation. The reason that's important, is because the world is full of stories about people falling in and out of love, or being drawn to people who are not their spouses, and they act like there is nothing they can do about it. This is simply not biblical, and v.9 shows me a vital practice, that will safeguard my marriage and how I view my wife and others. I cannot allow myself to take my wife's beauty for granted. I cannot grow accustomed to her face. By choosing to think about her beauty, by deliberately putting it in terms of analogy and simile, by writing poetry about it, I am keeping a fresh perspective about how beautiful she is. I'm not saying all husbands should write poetry, and this is only one way this can be done, but I actually enjoy poetry and I haven't written my wife a poem in a long time... I will fix this soon. The second application to take from this passage, is to be plain sometimes. Not everything has to be poetic. Sometimes, it's enough to simply say she is lovely. I can be specific about features, but sometimes the more straightforward it is, the better. This is especially true when paired with poetic symbolism. The last application for me, is to not overdo it. While I may still be captivated by my wife's beauty, and that's not a bad thing in itself, I need to be careful not to express how I feel the wrong way. One of the best ways to safeguard against that, is to focus on my wife's spiritual beauty even more than her physical beauty. After all, I hold the belief that a wife of great character, compassion, and kindness, is immeasurably better than the most aesthetically beautiful. After all, if I was struck with blindness, her physical beauty would be of little value to me. So, while it's good for me to focus on her beauty, to appreciate her for who she is and to remain enrapt by her features, it is all the more good for me to compliment her spiritual beauty. I need to recognize how she loves God. I need to see how she loves me. I need to note how she loves our kids. I have an amazing wife, and I want her to know that I love her the most, physically and spiritually.

P) Father, You are such a gracious God. The way You have protected and grown my marriage, even despite my ignorance and rebellion, is nothing less than miraculous. You have preserved Kristin and me, and You have shown us how much we are blessed, more with each passing year. Help me to compliment my wife's beauty, God. Give me words to share with her how I see her, and help her take it to heart. Even more, help me to recognize and describe her spiritual beauty. Help me to appreciate that, and to highlight it to her. Thank You for giving me a wife with lovely cheeks, and giving me eyes to see her. Thank You for giving me a wife who is concerned with spiritual goodness, and open my eyes to see that, too. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.