If someone asked your wife “What’s so great about your
husband?” or “What’s so special about him?”
What would her response be?
The Shulammite Bride in Song of Solomon Chapter 5 needed a
search party to help her find her missing lover
Those people needed to know why they should join her to find
her lover
They wanted to know what was special about her lover that
would make them lose sleep and she was able to give a valid response.
Let’s look at the things that made her man special. The
things that made her man worth going out in the middle of the night for.
The things we can emulate/be/do to be special to our wives
1.
My beloved is exquisitely handsome and
ruddy, Outstanding among ten thousand
Ruddy is an euphemism for bloody which would explain why the
message version put it as “My dear lover glows with health—red-blooded,
radiant”. Meaning my husband is very handsome, active and healthy.
As men, we need to keep looking good physically. Do not let yourself go because
your wife ain’t going nowhere or because you believe only women need to take
care of their looks and shape. Don’t play with your health…it reassures/ shows
your wife you plan to be around for the long haul.
2.
His head is like [precious] gold, pure gold…the
message version “My golden one, pure and untarnished”.
Meaning my husband is not just beautiful to behold, he has
stuff “up there”. This man’s head was compared with pure gold.
That shows the value of his brain/intellect. He was not just
a fine boy, he was a smart man. Women are attracted to intelligence and
Wisdom…it shows the man is mentally competent to handle whatever comes
3.
His eyes are like doves…The Message
version added “soft and bright”.
Doves are used as symbols of love, peace or as messengers.
The man was not just handsome and brainy…he was equally peaceful, loving and
humble (could take the form of a messenger if needed).
Some men have eyes like fire…you dare not question him or
look at him straight in the eyes. “Who born you?”
As much as we think women like “wahala” there is no sane
woman that does not appreciate a peaceful man.
4.
His cheeks are like a bed of balsam, Banks of
sweet, fragrant herbs. His lips are lilies…dripping sweet-scented myrrh.
Meaning he is super romantic…foul words do not come out of
his mouth. He’s sweet, nice and kind; not just in deeds, but also in words.
5.
His hands are rods of gold. Set with beryl;
His abdomen is a figure of carved ivory Inlaid with sapphires.
Gold is a precious metal that is associated with
wealth, grandeur, and prosperity…meaning his hands are prospering, he is
hardworking.
Beryl also known as Emerald is one of the most
precious gems. Emerald implies calmness and encourages growth,
reflection, peace and balance. It also represents healing and fertility…meaning
he is fertile and virile. He balances work and life. He is good when
it’s time to turn the light down low and he knows how to make his wife happy
Ivory is symbol of purity, innocence, chastity and
opulence.
Sapphires are believed to symbolize wisdom, virtue,
good fortune, and holiness for royals. In an engagement ring, a sapphire means
faithfulness and sincerity
He is virile, yet chaste.
This man is not just good in bed, that part of him is
reserved ONLY for his wife. He can be trusted not to fool around…with
everything he possesses, he still remains faithful and trustworthy to his woman
6.
His legs are [strong and steady] pillars of
alabaster set upon pedestals of fine gold. His appearance is like Lebanon,
stately and choice as the cedars.
The message version makes it easier to understand “He stands
tall, like a cedar, strong and deep-rooted, rugged mountain
of a man, aromatic with wood and stone”.
Cedars are evergreen trees, strong and used as pillars when
building. King Solomon procured Cedars from Lebanon when he was building
the temple of God. Cedars are stable, solid and pillars. This husband is a present
husband, a pillar in the home, reliable, dependable,
solid and unshakeable. Not the kind of man that runs in the face of adversity
and turmoil.
7.
His mouth is full of sweetness…The
Message version says “His words are kisses, his kisses words”
Meaning the words of his mouth are comforting, loving and
pleasant.
Whatever you are going through, no matter how bad your day
has been; when he opens his mouth to talk, you will find comfort and strength.
He is not hurtful with his words…he doesn’t demean with his
word.
The bride wrapped it up this way
Yes, he is altogether lovely and desirable.
Everything about him delights me, thrills me through and through! That’s my
lover, THAT’S MY MAN, dear Jerusalem sisters
So I close with this: A widow was being pestered to
re-marry; she declined because according to her, there’s no man that can fill
the shoes of her dead husband.
There are husbands, there are good husbands and there are
exceptional husbands.
“A husband is a man who is tasked with the roles of being a
provider, Spiritual leader, and head of his household for his wife. He uses the
example and inspiration of Jesus Christ to place the needs of his wife above
his own in providing for her physical, emotional and Spiritual needs. In doing
so, he glorifies God by modeling the relationship between Christ and the
church”. – Dr. Michael Williams
I ask us again as husbands…what is so special about you?
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