October 15, 2009
Central Truth
Encouraging words come in all forms. Solomon used poetic refrain to express his love for his beloved.
Your teeth are like a flock of sheep
coming up from the washing;
each has its twin;
not one of them is missing.
(Song of Solomon 6:6)
1
Where has your beloved gone,
O most beautiful among women?
Where has your beloved turned,
that we may seek him with you?
2
My beloved has gone down to his garden
to the beds of spices,
to graze
1
6:2
Or to pasture his flock; also verse 3
in the gardens
and to gather lilies.
3
I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine;
he grazes among the lilies.
4
You are beautiful as Tirzah, my love,
lovely as Jerusalem,
awesome as an army with banners.
5
Turn away your eyes from me,
for they overwhelm me—
Your hair is like a flock of goats
leaping down the slopes of Gilead.
6
Your teeth are like a flock of ewes
that have come up from the washing;
all of them bear twins;
not one among them has lost its young.
7
Your cheeks are like halves of a pomegranate
behind your veil.
8
There are sixty queens and eighty concubines,
and virgins without number.
9
My dove, my perfect one, is the only one,
the only one of her mother,
pure to her who bore her.
The young women saw her and called her blessed;
the queens and concubines also, and they praised her.
10
“Who is this who looks down like the dawn,
beautiful as the moon, bright as the sun,
awesome as an army with banners?”
11
I went down to the nut orchard
to look at the blossoms of the valley,
to see whether the vines had budded,
whether the pomegranates were in bloom.
12
Before I was aware, my desire set me
among the chariots of my kinsman, a prince.
2
6:12
Or chariots of Ammi-Nadib
13
3
6:13
Ch 7:1 in Hebrew
Return, return, O Shulammite,
return, return, that we may look upon you.
Why should you look upon the Shulammite,
as upon a dance before two armies?
4
6:13
Or dance of Mahanaim
How smooth was Solomon? I do not think my beloved would particularly like me comparing her beauty to goats and sheep, but I do know that she loves words of affirmation. Doesn't everyone? Communication is key. I often look back on the week and feel convicted about my lack of encouraging words to those around me, especially my bride. I am thankful when the Spirit prompts me before she does.
Natalie and I had a rough six months in 2008. The addition of a second child just before a big job change produced an intense time at our house. Communication was tough. Words of any encouragement were sparse at times. We did not believe the best in each other, and our words followed suit.
Reading Song of Solomon, however, inspired me to better use the words that proceeded from my mouth. Solomon was so smooth with his words, but I was lacking. Jesus said that unless a seed falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a seed. (John 12:24) In my circumstance, unless a jerk falls to the ground and dies, he still remains a jerk. My words were often unloving to my wife. I needed to die to myself so that my words could be fruitful to my marriage. I was expecting communication to go well, yet I was focused on the negative and not doing my part to love and encourage my wife.
It has taken a lot of positive encouragement and forgiveness to restore wounds, but Natalie and I are committed, and I know her love tank is full. My bride and I will continue to strive for great communication. I will discipline myself to speak her language and communicate well.
Whom do you need to encourage this week? Solomon loved his bride. He used poetic refrain to express those words to her. Creatively use your words this week to light up someone's day.
Have a great week of worship.
1. How can I encourage someone this week?
2. Where do I need to take action in my current relationships?
3. What goals/disciplines can I set up to communicate more effectively with my wife, daughter, son, family, friends, etc.?
4. Is there any relationship in which I need to die to myself and make some amends?