Then this week on TV they had a few broadcasts of pastor Joseph Prince preaching about Song of Songs. Then it got a lot more interesting to me. When I was younger I thought it was a book for married couples. Then as I got older, I realized that there has to be more to this book. Then one day our pastor preached about how the man in this book represents Jesus and the woman the church who is waiting for Jesus to come. But now after pastor Prince’s sermon I just connected everything. This book is both about Jesus and the church as well as the marriage and love between a man and a woman. Because if you read the whole book you not only realize how deep two people can love each other but you also see how much God loves us. You ask me how do I know that this is a book for a couple as well. Because if you read Eph 5:25 “husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”. Now the way Pastor Prince explained it is the Hebrew word for the women is Famin (something like that) and it means “to receive love” or “to be loved”.
Eyes: Reflection of your heart
Hair: Maturity
Teeth: How we spend time in Gods word
Lips: red blood of Jesus and hope
Temple: Thoughts
Neck: Submitted and subdued
Okay I know, you are saying HUH?!! Right now! But stay with me here.
Eyes:
For the Church
God looks into our eyes and gives us the connection of love. Whenever you look into someone’s eyes there is a connection. In this case it is a connection of love; you can see someone’s love through their eyes. “Note that God looked at our eyes first, seeking a connection first. He did not look at our hands (deeds) and feet (walk), though they are important. God wanted a love relationship regardless of our past, deeds or walk in life.” Joseph Prince
For a couple
True love and connection you will find in the eyes of your husband or wife. Men who objectify you will look anywhere else but your eyes. Then we have the example of Christ that we should seek that connection and love with each other regardless of our deeds and walk in life.
Hair
For the church
In the time that Song of Songs was written when you had a flock of goats you were rich, also when the goats came walking down the mountain together it looked like long hair. So this is how Christ sees us through his eyes of love and because of our salvation. He sees what we can be and not what we are at the moment. Long hair speaks of maturity; God sees His bride as spiritually mature and treats us like that. Even in reality we are not mature yet.
For a couple
Well Jesus is the example; treat each other as if you believe the best of each other. “You know what honey I know you are struggling with this thing, but I believe you will make a mature decision in the end that will benefit us all. I trust you”. An answer like that will give the other person much more love, hope and encouragement. He also said we should remember this as parents, how we warn our children can win them or make them rebellious.
Teeth
For the church
Teeth are for chewing, how do chew in the spirit? It can only mean God’s word. Meditating on God’s word will make us wiser, strong in faith and skillful planners. Well this is how God sees us, as people who hang on every word He says. And he loves it.
For a couple
Well when you are in love it is easy to hang on every word he says (your man). But as life gets ordinary we stop listening stop taking in what our husbands or wives are saying. So I believe this is just a reminder to stay interested, respectful and in love with each other.
Lips
For the church
Lips are for speaking (well, mostly for speaking ;) ) and God sees his bride as someone that speaks of hope. What hope, well this is where the red comes in, red like the blood of Jesus who gave us hope through His death.
For a couple
Love between a man and a woman always hopes for good things for each other and then we speak of that hope. We should just keep speaking that way through our marriage.
Temple (head) (some translations say cheeks)
For the church
God knows our thoughts he is interested in our thoughts and he sees our good thoughts. The verse says the temples remind the man of pomegranate, which is a fruit of blessing. So God sees us with thoughts of blessing, creativity and life giving thoughts. And again the fruit inside is read, Jesus washes our thoughts clean with His blood.
For a couple
We must be interested in each others thoughts. And see the positive side in each others motives.
Neck
For the church
Somewhere in the Bible it talks about being stiffed-neck, which means rebellious.
Well God sees us as being the opposite of that, He sees us as submissive, subdued and obedient.
For the couple
Oh yeah, you know where I am going with this! “Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as a service to the lord”. But husbands also recognize the obedience in your wife and don’t take it for granted, it is her service to the Lord, love and respect her for that.
Interesting point he made:
“Women were made to be deeply loved (revering to the Hebrew word I mentioned earlier) and not to rule over men. Both husband and wife has equal positions in Christ, but different functions.”
He also said “husbands should make love with their words not only their bodies” J
You say, yes but I am not all these good things God sees in me. But you see because of the love connection in the beginning (the eyes) and your love for God and His positive words towards you, will gradually transform you into how He already sees you. If we really believe that He loves us deeply we will live up to His expectations eventually. Now that is something to think about.
I pray that God will give us the grace and wisdom to treat each other like this in our marriages and our children.