Evangelism By Love

In Song of Solomon 5, the other women want to know, what makes this man so special?

Song of Solomon 5:9 (ESV) What is your beloved more than another beloved, O most beautiful among women? What is your beloved more than another beloved, that you thus adjure us?

The woman has just once again advised the young maidens to make sure he knows how much she longs for him in verse 8 having missed out on the moment he offered but to which she was at first to apathetic to respond. The women, therefore, want to know - why? What's so special?

And just as the bridegroom has spent the larger portion of Song of Solomon 4 praising her beauty, she now praises his. 

Song of Solomon 5:10–11 (ESV) My beloved is radiant and ruddy, distinguished among ten thousand. 11 His head is the finest gold; his locks are wavy, black as a raven.

Sometimes we forget how beautiful the Lord is because we've grown comfortable with the temporary beauty offered in this world. And perhaps this is why He sometimes withdraws from us, that we might see just how much we are missing when He seems absent. 

She then unpacks his handsome looks for the rest of the chapter and her response to the question of the women makes an impact on those same ladies. What does she see?
Song of Solomon 5:12–15 (ESV) His eyes are like doves beside streams of water, bathed in milk, sitting beside a full pool. 13 His cheeks are like beds of spices, mounds of sweet-smelling herbs. His lips are lilies, dripping liquid myrrh. 14 His arms are rods of gold, set with jewels. His body is polished ivory, bedecked with sapphires. 15 His legs are alabaster columns, set on bases of gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as the cedars.

Notice the eyes described as doves. That is, they are peaceful. His head is fragrant and his lips speak softly toward her. His body is strong and she knows he is able to stand up for her. 

Then she completes her description this way:
Song of Solomon 5:16 (ESV) His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

He is not just her lover, He is her friend. Perhaps that is the best part of the Lord for us. He told His disciples at the last supper:

John 15:15 (ESV) No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

The more we know the Lord, the more He is our friend. The Almighty God is close and committed to us. What beauty to behold in life when we believe this!

Having extolled his attractiveness and friendship, the woman's friends are now most interested in helping her find him.
Song of Solomon 6:1 (ESV) Where has your beloved gone, O most beautiful among women? Where has your beloved turned, that we may seek him with you?

This is a beautiful picture of evangelism. When we accurately describe the Lord, others will want to know Him. He is proven again and again to be far better than any other. And when we properly behold Him for who He is, our lives are attractive to those who need to meet Him as well. 


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