Sermon Tone Analysis

He is altogether lovely (Songs 5:16)

Purpose Devotional

Summary the churches Glorious description of our beloved

Introduction

Recently met a man and his wife 60 years married, 60 years in CHrist.

How come he same year married same year they were converted to Christ.

Dear congregation one of the clearest signs of a healthy wholesome marriage is to listen to how the spouse speaks about his beloved how wife speaks about her!

So too when it comes to assessing how we think about Christ.

The Bible uses the most precious relationship to describe the relationship between Christ the bridegroom and His bride the church?

Writer Solomon

One man identifies 3 characters Solomon Shulamite Shepherd

The old name Canticles -

It is a Poetry book found amongst body of literature.

Written by Solomon mentioned few times.

Like (Ps 45:1-5) It is a poetic It is written in form of love poem of the middle east wasf.

It has 3 main characters beloved Solomon Shulamite woman daughters of Jerusalem onlookers.

The Bride Shulamite –

The Beloved – Shepherd

The Daughters - immature believers?

It is a peculiar book human love It is a book that the rabbis suggest children and single people avoid for fear of the emotions that it stirs.

Acc to the Jews No man under 30 should read it On one level it seems quite plain

Some people read the Songs and only see the relationship between man and woman they are in love.

They two are married off in early chapters

Courtship 1-3:5

Marriage 3:6-5:1

Separation 5:2-6:3

Mutual devotion 6:4-8:

But what reason would the Holy Spirit have for inspiring Solomon to write a marriage manual in such a mysterious way!

Would you expect a man with 700 wives and 300 concubines to write a marriage manual?

Surely plain teaching would be better.

Look at Gen 2 Ephesians 5 1 Peter 3 and so on!

It is a mysterious book.

AS I alluded to in the introduction , I believe that it is more this is a picture of Christ and his church.

It reveals more than meets the eye!

Mystery is one in bible speaks of One promised Messiah.

Just like must have new heart to understand Christ’s parables must have new heart to understand book of Solomon.

It is a special book.

Song of songs is a wonderful book.

We believe the whole bible is inspired of God.

It is Gods word to men.

It has been precious to many Christians through out the ages.

Context

Daughters of Jerusalem ask her q’s- 3 times question.

Note The qs (5:9) what is thy beloved (6:1) Whither is Thy beloved gone?

Who is this cometh up from the wilderness leaning upon her beloved (8:5)?

Text 5:9-16

5:9 What is thy beloved?

What is Christ compared to other gods and other religions?

One man says “carnal hearts see nothing excellent or extraordinary in the Lord Jesus, in his person or offices, in his doctrine or in his favours; as if there were no more in the knowledge of Christ, and in communion with him, than in the knowledge of the world and in its conversation”.

This q brings forth this wonderful description?

A Word of Personal Affirmation

A Word of Perfect Completion

A Word of Profound Affection

Word of Personal Affirmation

Yea He is He is the Yes of God and He is the Yea and amen of His people

Note the Personal aspect 3rd person singular.

The Shulamite is speaking of her beloved!

See how she describes him!

See the affection the interest the love the devotion the singleness of mind

YEA not if but or maybe Yea! Certainty Only one for me and that is He!

Wives would we speak of our husbands with such affectionate words.

Husbands may we speak of our wives in such tender tones.

I was with a lady this week and she said it is so good to hear the way we Christian husbands speak to and speak of our wives!

He Is personal existence

He is not was not will be but is!

Think of Him in His Deity divine person He is Ever Living.

He has always been and will always be! Rev 1

Application

The believer speaks in personal ways/ Can you say this form a true heart sincere intention He is mine and I am His Not general but specific -

Application

Can you say this friend Yea He is.

Not he was not He might be but He is.

At some time he was mine but now no more!

He is the rose of Sharon the lily of the valley the branch of righteousness Sun without spot lamb without blemish Tonight Christ is saying to you AM I all to you can you add your Amen?

As Paul puts it Christ is all and in All

A Word of Personal Affirmation

A Word of Perfect Completion

Altogether word of completeness Altogether in His entirety there is no part that is unlovely!

or that he has left out any part of this person he then says he is altogether lovely!

General Position chief of 10,000

Captain of Salvation

Leads the hosts of his people

More important than any judge ruler king prophet angel

He is the fairest of 10,000 there is no one to compare to Him.

Comparison to any 1,000

Particulars of His Person

As Christ is unique no man can plumb the depths of His person

This description is profoundly deep after all thisis the eternal Son of God.

v10 My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.

Here this is not language of ethinicity.

Word Perfect holy white sign of purity

Better translation Dazzling and radiant the outshining of God effulgence of God Heb 1 How did Isaiah react when He saw Him in the temple (Is 6:1-12) glory of the Lord filled the temple (cf) Johns comment John 12:42

Is this comment on His 2 natures white dazzling glorious and yet like a Man made in the form of a man sinful flesh (Phil 2:8)

What does Matthew record for us in His gospel – Matt Transfiguration

John record for us in His Revelation - white

ruddy full of health and vigour distinguished arresting appearance!

His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.

Gold thoughts of wisdom.

Locks black and bushy Head and locks symbols of distinguished nobility.

Vitality Samson had 7 locks what a head of hair!