"Dark am I ..." Dark was not considered desirable in the culture of the time, yet even though she was dark she was considered attractive by the groom. Our society puts all sorts of expectations on us, all sorts of definitions of what we should look like or be like. Few, if any, of us meet these expectations, and we can let it get us down. The numbers of eating disorders are a symptom of this. We need to recognise how pathetic is the world's view of "beauty". God has a much better idea of what is truly beautiful, and that includes you.
Moreover she had been in some ways mistreated.
"Why should I be like a veiled woman?" A "veiled" woman is an allusion to a prostitute. The beloved wanted something better. Our society cheapens sex, it cheapens people, especially girls. God has a better purpose for you, a higher purpose, desire a higher purpose.
In verse 9 the lover comes on the scene for the first time. Now many of the terms used to describe the beauty of the beloved are strange to us! Comparing her to a mare, a horse, is not a term I would recommend we use with our wives, but trust me, it was a positive compliment.
There then follows an exchange of various endearments. The lover and beloved delight in each other. A husband and wife should delight in each other, and we should recognise that God delights in us.
No comments:
Post a Comment