“Beauty” according to Sir Thomas Overbury, “is skin deep.” It is true that character is more important than looks. Real beauty encompasses one’s confidence, charisma, and character. The Shulamite was probably such a person. She was truly charming. Not only was she physically attractive, but she also showed herself to be pure, chaste and modest. No wonder Solomon was so besotted with her and the ladies of the harem so impressed and overwhelmed by her. They saw beyond her beauty, that she was more than just a country girl but royalty flowed through her veins. To them, she is no longer just a Shulamite maid, but a prince’s daughter. There is such an aura of nobility in her disposition that everything about her just simply oozes with grace. So, in Song 7:1-5, they praise her from head to toe.
They begin with her feet. Her feet are said to be beautiful in sandals. Perhaps when she was first seen, she went about barefooted. But she is now given a pair of sandals. And how lovely her feet look. Remember, the Bible tells us that the feet of us Christians are also lovely when we go about bearing the good news. In Isaiah 52:7, it is said, "How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” No wonder in Ephesians 6:15, we are encouraged to have our feet shod with the Gospel of peace.
Her movement is praised. To say that “the curves of your hips are like jewels, the work of the hands of an artist,’ is talking about her poise. Her movements are just so full of grace. They are compared to jewel ornaments that reflect the work of a master craft man. Our life should reflect the work of the Lord. We should always be gracious and magnanimous so that Christlikeness can be seen in us.
Her “navel is like a round goblet which never lacks mixed wine….” The ladies must be in her private chamber and saw her shapely body. The round goblet is describing the symmetry of her body. Nothing about her is out of place. What about us? Do our physical outlook inspire confidence and show a semblance of discipline. Is temperance a part of our life? As believers, we need to have self-control.
Her “belly is like a heap of wheat fenced about with lilies.” She is compared to a field symmetrically arranged with lilies. Just imagine a well-arranged field of lilies swaying to the movement of the wind. Are we flowing in the direction of the Wind of the Spirit of God? Is our life poised to move in tandem with the move of the Spirit of God? We are called to be led by the Spirit so that we will not be consumed by the lust of the flesh. Let’s take heed of the call of direction by the Holy Spirit.
Her “two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle.” Here, taking Solomon’s words recorded in Song 4:5, the ladies praise the symmetry and elegance of her body. Her “neck is like the tower of ivory.” She must have appeared so stately that everything about her inspires confidence. Does our confidence inspire others to trust the Lord? And her eyes are “like the pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim….” Peering into her eyes the ladies could see that they were moist, inviting and clear. This pictures for us a person who is without guile. She is sincere and honest. These are qualities that we must seek to be. Finally, verse 5 describes her nose, head, and hair to show how dignified she appears to be. As believers, let us walk with dignity. Our journey can be inspiring. We must live life with dignity so that our life can be a model and inspiration to those whom the Lord will bring into our path. Let us live as best as we know how, learn as much as we can, love as deeply as we are able to, and leave behind as rich a legacy as we must. Let’s be a blessing for we are blessed to be a blessing.
Her “two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle.” Here, taking Solomon’s words recorded in Song 4:5, the ladies praise the symmetry and elegance of her body. Her “neck is like the tower of ivory.” She must have appeared so stately that everything about her inspires confidence. Does our confidence inspire others to trust the Lord? And her eyes are “like the pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim….” Peering into her eyes the ladies could see that they were moist, inviting and clear. This pictures for us a person who is without guile. She is sincere and honest. These are qualities that we must seek to be. Finally, verse 5 describes her nose, head, and hair to show how dignified she appears to be. As believers, let us walk with dignity. Our journey can be inspiring. We must live life with dignity so that our life can be a model and inspiration to those whom the Lord will bring into our path. Let us live as best as we know how, learn as much as we can, love as deeply as we are able to, and leave behind as rich a legacy as we must. Let’s be a blessing for we are blessed to be a blessing.
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