“Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with strings of beads.” (Song of Songs 1:10 NASB)
As we look at the Shepherd King’s[i] words toward our maiden fair we are going to see Him use dozens of word pictures. Last week we looked at an example of an image from nature, this week we see Him muse about her appearance.
He will get pretty explicit as the song goes on, and I will attempt to make some sense of how it applies to the believer’s life.
Today we look at cheeks.
What good are cheeks?
Read the Cheeks!
They are like the emotional thermometer God has installed in each one of us. They rise and fall with our moods, and flush and pale with our passions.
Emotions are a funny thing in the church. For many years, centuries perhaps the church has frowned upon any display of emotion. I can remember as a 20 something singing a song in church where the lyrics said “I lift my hands up, unto Thy name” and looking around to see 8 hands in the air, in a room of 150 people.
We, the Church, have a limited view of God’s emotions as well. We have a God who is happy and smiling the day we repent and come to Him, and then angry with us every day after that, because we are not walking in complete submission to His will.
This is messed up.
God created us with a broad range of emotions and passions, and they are intended to bring the most out of our lives. There are ways to experience each of our God-given emotions in a way that pleases Him. [Tweet This]
When He looks at our cheeks he is pleased. When we look on Him, He sees the flush of our excitement to be in His presence, and our passion for Him and His will for us.
What about these ornaments?
Ornaments are adornments made for us by skilled artisans to bring out the beauty in our cheeks.
This may sound crazy, but I believe one adornment is worship. When we worship the Lord we engage our emotions, and take the skillful work of others – Poets, Songwriters, Musicians, Artists – and let it bring out the beauty in our emotion. We let our emotions do that for which they were created – bring Glory to Jesus.
Does that make sense?
I know it helps me.
Thanks for stopping in.
See you next week.
Ben
[i] For the purposes of this series the Shepherd King represents Jesus in our reading of the Song, and the maiden is the individual believer. You can see the discussion on this in my earlier post – “Interpretation – Song of Songs Saturday”
It makes perfect sense. I came from a church where displaying any emotions toward God was frowned on… Yet these same people couldn’t wait to get out of church to watch “the big game” or NASCAR, so they could shout at a television screen that can’t hear them…
Sometimes… most times, we human beings are very foolish. I was taught that love is a verb, not a feeling, but I believe that is wrong. Love is demonstrated in our soulish realm, and our actions. That’s why the Lord commands us to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength… We are to love Him with all of our being, which includes our emotions. I’m so glad the Lord awakened me to the truth.
Thanks for teaching truth, Bro Ben!
Love in Christ,
Cheryl
Cheryl – you are so right. When you talk about people routing for their favorite team like madmen, yet unwilling to show any enthusiasm for Christ makes me think there is something that needs tweaking. When there is more talk in a random church lobby about sports or movies than what the Lord has done, it exposes something that ought to be checked out.
thanks much for stopping by Cheryl.
I love the idea that worship is “adornment”, Ben–and I have to tell you it’s only been in the last couple years that I’ve understood, and could relate personally, to worship. Prior to that, I hadn’t had the “heart experience” of Jesus, the revelation of All that He IS–the abundant life He so wanted me to have. It’s not that my heart wasn’t sincerely interested in Jesus, but I was still “thinking my way” along the path–I didn’t have the component of “relationship with Him”, which is so integral and gives life on earth, vitality. So all I was after was teaching, I didn’t care about the music/worship part (partly because I can’t sing a lick). Once I “caught the revelation”, however–I was able to enter into worship fully, regardless of my caterwalling voice. So I guess you could say that my worship “adornment” isn’t Tiffany’s diamonds–it’s just cubic zirconiums–but it IS sincere and meaningful, and I trust it honors God. He knows my heart (and recognizes my voice). God bless you and the fam–love, sis Caddo
Your testimony is precious to me. You know – i was actually thinking of you when i put poets first on my list.
I also know that to Jesus your voice is beautiful, because He hears hearts.
I once knew a guy who was a paid member of a choir that sang in a particular big church. He did not know God, but he knew hymns and worship songs and could sing beautifully. I do not believe that guy with the professional intonations comes close to the beauty of your worship in the ears of our Lord.
Have a blessed weekend kiddo.
Ben
Dearest brother Ben–I am not like lots of women who weep at the drop of a pin (I think I’m pretty much cried out–and in the JOY phase of life), but I have to tell you that tears sprung to my eyes when I read that you thought of me when you mentioned poets. Crazy, huh? Bless your dear heart, you’re so good to your old Sis. Hard to imagine someone being able to sing God’s songs so well, and yet not know Him…
I forgot to tell you earlier–Pastor Robt Morris (my online church, Gateway–Southlake, TX) is in a 4-week series, “Love Expressed”: worship is love expressed! Heading back for the 2nd service on Saturdays…
Wow – interesting how God says the same things though many witnesses eh?
Thank you, Mr. Ben , for showing us how emotions don’t have to be bad . . .they can glorify Him, just like He meant for them to. Wonderful post and encouragement! God bless you!
Yep – having your sins forgiven, being set free to live and love and walk in the abundant life, these are not reasons to become a statue!
Thanks Deb!
It certainly does make sense…..! God did not instill emotions in us so we can be quiet and still when we worship him…..!
Amen to that – i am with you – not much of a sit still kind of worshipper.
me either! When I was a Lutheran..then a Mormon…..I was kind of shy…but I have learned not to hinder the spirit when I feel it….I wonder…when Moses saw what he saw on the Mountain, did he just come back and calmly sit in his tent or was he so excited that he couldn’t sit still or even sleep?
That’s great – i can see it now – so whats new love Oh – Not much talked to a burning bush today – same old same old