Bible Reading: Numbers 7; Psalm 42, 43; Song 5; Hebrews 5
What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us? (Song of Solomon 5:9)
The virgins of Israel want to know why the Shulamite is so in love with her beloved. The Shulamite was looking frantically for her beloved and charged the daughters of Jerusalem to tell him that she was sick with love for him. Why is he so special? What is different about him from all other men? These are the questions they are asking her. She then begins to talk of her beloved.
My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven. His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. (Song of Solomon 5:10-16)
Listen to the way she speaks of her husband. She lets everyone know how much she respects him and she sings his praises. She thinks he is handsome.
Many times in public I have heard a woman mock her husband. Sometimes she puts him down because of his negligence with things around the house or his poor handling of money. Sometimes a woman speaks curtly to her man in public. Ladies, learn the lesson from the Shulamite – she speaks highly of her husband in public. He is HER beloved and she loves him.
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (Ephesians 5:33)
A wife should reverence her husband. She should show him respect and speak highly of him when talking with others. He is the man that God has given to her. He has become one flesh with her and his body is her body. Not only that, but the Shulamite reminds the daughters of Jerusalem that that he is her friend.
Is your husband your friend? He should be. What if you and your husband are not good friends, what should you do?
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)
If you want your husband to be your friend, be a friend to him. Show yourself friendly. Give him praises and speak highly of him.
In Christ,
Rody
