What Is Gladdening The Bride Of Christ ? (Characteristics From Song of Solomon)

Behold, thou [art] fair, my love; behold, thou [art] fair; thou [hast] doves' eyes within thy locks: thy hair [is] as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead . Thy teeth [are] like a flock [of sheep that are even] shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none [is] barren among them. Thy lips [are] like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech [is] comely: thy temples [are] like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks. Thy neck [is] like the tower of David built for an armory, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men. Thy two breasts [are] like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies. Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense. Thou [art] all fair, my love; [there is] no spot in thee.

- Song of Solomon 4:1-7

In Song of Solomon chapter 4, the scene opens with guests gathered around the feast, in the marriage hall. Solomon begins to draw special attention to the Shulamite's physical beauty and characteristics he observes in her.

In Judaism, gladdening the bride with praises of her beauty and splendor on her wedding day was a Mitzvah (commandment) and still remains a religious obligation for many Jews to this day. These are examples of the high praises the groom bestows upon his bride and Solomon is no exception.

He uses common imagery of the day to praise her. Not with just meaningless, empty words of flattery as you hear in today's pop music, but with well-chosen thought-out words that carry rich meaning.

The symbols and images Solomon uses to portray the beauty of his Shulamite bride may seem strange to us, as he describes her hair as "a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead" (4:1) and her neck as "the tower of David built for an armory, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers" (4:4). Today, one would not consider his remarks as flattery.

However, his compliments reflected the cultural patterns of the ancient world. One author suggests, "To those who lived in Solomon's time, the rippling effect of a flock of goats moving down a hillside was, indeed, a thing of beauty." As we will learn, such use of images and symbols do reflect, in fact, a thing of splendor for those who are part of the Messiah's bride.

Solomon describes eight distinct virtues emerging in her life and is projecting her new image in terms of what she will become. Romans 4:17 says God "calleth those things which be not as though they were," even though it is not what she presently manifests. She is, in reality, a mirror-image of him (the bridegroom), reflecting his character.

On several occasions Yeshua (Jesus) mentioned Solomon, as he was the type/shadow of Himself as King of Kings. One must study this book carefully, as it can only pertain to those in the last days, of what our Lord is desiring in us, and how we must reflect His character and be a holy, spotless bride for Him.

The act of her "becoming the bride" is conditioned on her attaining these eight characteristics-symbolic not only of new beginnings and eternal life, but also of an invitation to dwell in the Holy of Holies with Him. As believers, we all have access to His holy presence, but it will be the bride that dwells in His presence.

In the next several articles, Rebecca will be revealing the secrets hidden within the Song of Solomon and the eight characteristics the bride of christ must obtain in order to be the bride (remnant of the body of Christ), set apart for Him. For more information about the bride of Christ, please visit Rebecca at the Well Foundation's website http://RATW.org.