Jesus Christ is Altogether Lovely – Song of Solomon 5:9

Communion address from Solomon’s Song. In this section we explore the bride’s praise of her Beloved. Precious pictures of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Context: The bride has been awakened from spiritual slumber and sloth to a renewed seeking after her Bridegroom.

In her quest for spiritual revival, she issues a charge to the daughters of Jerusalem in Vs. 8. This provokes a question from them concerning her Beloved. In effect they ask, “how is your Beloved unique, what makes Him more special than other beloveds?”

In response to this question, words of praise and exaltation come pouring out of the bride like a river. She employs the riches of Oriental symbolism in an attempt to describe her Beloved’s unfathomable perfections climaxing in the phrase “yea, he is altogether lovely”. There is at least a 10-fold description of the Beloved in these verses each revealing a facet of His perfect loveliness.

Christ is altogether lovely in His…

Person (Vs. 10)

His Sinlessness – ‘white’ (Vs. 10a)

1. ‘white’ = dazzling white. Speaks of Christ’s absolute holiness and purity. He is totally without spot or blemish.
2. Illustration: The Mount of Transfiguration
   1. Matt. 17:2 “And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.”
   2. Mark 9:3 “And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.”

His Sacrifice – ‘ruddy’ (Vs. 10b)

1. The word ‘ruddy’ means red. David as a young shepherd was described as “…ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance…” (1 Sam. 16:12)
2. It speaks of Christ’s beauty but more importantly of His sinless blood which was shed for our sin.

His Supremacy – ‘chiefest’ (Vs. 10c)

1. Christ is not said to be equal to ten thousand others. He is said to be chiefest ‘among’ ten thousand. He is the “firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:29).
2. There is none like Christ in all the universe. He is unique, unparalleled, unrivalled and unequalled. He is more important and significant than all angels, prophets and priests put together (Masters)
3. See the glorified Christ in Revelation 5:11-12 as the chiefest among innumerable thousands as they cry “worthy is the Lamb that was slain.”

Position (Vs. 11)

Divinity – His head (Vs. 11a)

1. “most fine” = this is not ordinary gold but the very best gold again highlighting Christ’s matchless person. He is above all!
2. ‘gold’ = speaks of His Royalty and Deity. Jesus Christ is King! Jesus Christ is God!
3. The head is the location of the mind. Christ’s thoughts are far above ours. He is perfect in wisdom.
4. It was this Royal Head that was struck by a rod in the hands of evil men and crowned with thorns.

Humanity – His hair (Vs. 11b)

1. In Rev. 1:14 Christ’s hair is depicted as white in colour, speaking of His eternality.
2. The picture here in the Song focuses more on His perfect humanity. The black hair speaks of youthfulness. Christ never grows old or waxes faint.

Perception (Vs. 12)

Pure Vision – “eyes of doves”

1. The dove is a frequent symbol in the Song speaking of concepts such as purity, holiness, tenderness and beauty.
2. What a picture of the purity of Christ’s eyes, white as doves, washed with milk.
3. JFB Commentary: “Doves bathing in the rivers; so combining in their silver feathers the whiteness of milk with the sparkling brightness of the water trickling over them…vivacity, purity and love, are the three features typified.”
4. There is no lust, jealousy, hatred or any other evil in the eyes of Jesus. Only love, tenderness, compassion, wisdom, discernment and all things pure.
5. Hab. 1:13 “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity:”

Perfect Vision – “fitly set”

1. As a skilful gemmologist or lapidary would place a precious stone in the foil of a ring, so the eyes of Christ reflect perfect arrangement and symmetry.
2. Christ’s is Omniscient – He sees and knows all things. Nothing is hidden from His perfect eyes. He sees past the outward man to the innermost secrets of the heart. David could testify, “thou hast searched me, and known me” (Psalm 139:1)

Perfume (Vs. 13)

The Fragrance of His Face (Vs. 13a)

1. Christ’s cheeks are liked to a bed of spices and sweet flowers. The face/countenance reveals the inner character of a person. Sin etches its lines into the faces of the unsaved but in Christ, we find nothing but goodness and beauty.
2. It was this precious face that was subjected to shameful buffeting and spitting. “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.” (Isaiah 50:6) “…his visage was so marred more than any man…” (Isaiah 52:14) “Then they did spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands.” (Matt. 26:67)
3. The Saviour’s smitten cheeks are fragrant to the Christian as it was from these smitten cheeks that the sweet scent of salvation poured forth. They are to the pardoned, “a bed of spices, as sweet flowers”
4. My Jesus! Who with spittle vile, profaned thy sacred brow? Or whose unpitying scourge has made thy precious blood to flow? Tis I have thus ungrateful been, Yet, Jesus, pity take! Oh, spare and pardon me, my Lord, for thy sweet mercy’s sake!”

The Fragrance of His Words (Vs. 13b; 16a)

1. All that comes forth from His lips is fragrant and pure. “neither was any deceit in his mouth” (Isaiah 53:9). All Christ’s words are truth. Psalm 45:2 speaking of Messiah said, “…grace is poured into thy lips…”
2. The officers of the Pharisees admitted, “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46)
3. Psalm 119:103 “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
4. Psalm 34:8 “O taste and see that the LORD is good:”

Passion (Vs. 14)

Love revealed through His Hands (Vs. 14a)

1. The hands of Christ are pure, royal hands. Think of all the wonderful things Christ did with His hands as recorded in the Gospels. His hands were never used once in the service of evil.
2. What wonder of wonders when we stop to consider that these precious, sinless hands were pierced for me.

Love revealed in His Heart (Vs. 14b)

1. The word ‘belly’ is also translated ‘bowels’ or ‘heart’. The word refers to the whole abdominal region and speaks of the seat of the affections.
2. What a picture of the white ivory overlaid with shimmering, blue sapphires. No love is comparable to our dear Saviour’s love.
   1. Ivory is strong and durable – Christ’s love never fails
   2. Sapphires are blue and brilliant – Christ’s love is perfect, breathtaking and heavenly in origin and quality

Posture (Vs. 15)

His Stature (Vs. 15a)

1. Marble speaks of tremendous strength. Christ is immutable, He stands the same yesterday, today and forever.
2. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.”

His Stateliness (Vs. 15b)

1. Christ’s countenance is described as ‘Lebanon’. The word ‘Lebanon’ means “white mountain” referring to its snowy tops. How radiant and pure is our Lord’s countenance.
2. The cedars speak of strength, power, beauty and fragrance. Cedar wood used in connection with the cleansing of a leper in the O.T. (Lev. 14:4; 6, 49 & 51)

Perfection (Vs. 16)

The Praise of His Perfection (Vs. 16a)

1. It is as if the bride is lost for words and ends her love anthem of praise in these words, “yea, He is altogether lovely”. The word ‘altogether’ means “wholly, entirely, completely and without exception.” (Webster)
2. R.G. Lee in his sermon, Christ Above All, said, “Jesus is heaven’s bread for earth’s hunger, heaven’s water for earth’s thirst, heaven’s light for earth’s guilt, heaven’s beauty for earth’s ugliness, heaven’s wisdom for earth’s folly, heaven’s peace for earth’s strife, heaven’s justification for earth’s condemnation, heaven’s salvation for earth’s damnation.”
3. Christ is Altogether Lovely!
   He is Adam the second, the Anointed, the Author of our faith, the Amen, the Alpha, the Ancient of Days, the Almighty and our Advocate.He is the Beginning, the Begotten, the Beloved, the Branch, the Bread of life, the Bridegroom, the Bright and Morning Star and the Brightness of the Father’s glory.He is our Captain, our Consolation, the Chief Cornerstone, the Counsellor, the Chosen of God, the Chief Shepherd, the Chiefest among ten thousand and the Christ.

   He is the Desire of all nations, the Door, the Dayspring, the Daystar and the Deliverer.

   He is the Elect, the End, the Everlasting Father and Emmanuel.

   He is the Finisher of the faith, Friend, Friend of sinners, First Fruits, Faithful Witness, and the Fountain of life.

   He is God, the Gift of God, Governor, Guide, the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd, Greater than Jonah, Greater than Solomon and Glorious Lord.

   He is Help, Hope, Horn of Salvation, Head of the church, Heir of all things, High Priest and Holy One.

   He is the I AM, Inheritance and the Image of God.

   He is the Just one, the Judge, Jehovah and Jesus.

   He is the King – King of Israel, King of kings, King of glory and King everlasting He is the Lord, the Life, Light, Love, Lily of the valleys, Lion, Lamb, Lawgiver, the Living Stone and the Lord of glory.

   He is the Messiah, Mediator, Master and Mighty God.

   He is a Nazarene.

   He is the Offspring of David, Omega, Only Begotten of God, Offering and Offeror.

   He is Passover, Potentate, Prophet, Priest, Propitiation, Physician, Prince of life and Prince of peace. He is the Righteous, the Rabbi, Ransom, Rest, Root of Jesse, Root of David, Refiner, Refuge, Resurrection, the Rose of Sharon, Ruler, Redeemer and Rock of Ages.

   He is the Stone, the Shepherd, the Son – Son of Abraham, Son of David, Son of man and Son of God; Shield, Servant, Seed of the woman, Sufferer, Saviour, Sinless Sacrifice the Same yesterday, today and forever.

   He is Teacher, Truth, Tabernacle, Testator, Treasurer, Tree of life and the True Vine.

   He is Witness, the Word, the Way, the Wisdom of God and He is Wonderful!

The Preciousness of His Perfection (Vs. 16b)

1. Notice the possessive pronoun ‘my’. This One she has just described in such majestic language is HER BELOVED!
2. Blessed assurance Jesus is mine! I am His and He is mine! Blessed Lord Jesus!

Conclusion

1. How is your love for Christ? Do you praise Him for Who He is and what He has done?
2. Do you testify of your Saviour unashamedly to others who ask you for a reason for the hope which lies within you?

Sermon 18 of 22 in Song of Solomon Series

Sermon Audio Id: 821975151538