Carved Like Sapphires, Legs Of Marble, Countenance Like Cedars
The Bride’s Portrait Of Jesus Part Four
Solomon's Song is one of the most beautiful pictures of Christ one can ever read. The bride, a type of the Church, in the narrative describes Jesus by using the imagery of the temple, combining it with the imagery of the human body. The Holy Spirit through this is depicting the majesty of Jesus Christ, the SUM OF ALL beauty and truth. He IS the New Covenant and the baptizer in the Holy Spirit, who inhabits those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. Christ's majesty is described in language and terms such as gold, precious stones, ivory and the cedars of Lebanon. The purpose is to show the Church that ALL things must find their sum in CHRIST who is above all other beloved. In these last days we must embrace Christ and love Him as the bride loved the bridegroom in this narrative. It is only that type of love that will keep us from falling during the coming days of vengeance and testing.
By Chris McDonald
TEXT: Song 5:13-15 - 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.
We are truly unique by virtue of the time in which we are living. We are more than likely living in the final prophetic moments preceding the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. John the Baptist came out of the wilderness one day wearing camel hair, eating locusts and honey and crying “prepare the way of the Lord.” Today, a new generation is rising up out of the wilderness of obscurity proclaiming the same message: “make the way straight for Christ’s Second Coming.”
With that in mind, let me say this as well. The greatest PERIL known to man is going to face this generation as well. Tough times are ahead for not only the Body of Christ, but the entire world. Don’t believe any of the false prophecies you hear today saying “peace, peace,” when NO PEACE is coming. Neighbor, the days ahead are going to require a unique love for Christ. It’s going to require a DEEP ROOTED, heartfelt, HOLY GHOST BIRTHED supernatural passion for Jesus that I really don’t think my generation understands. I know that at times I don’t understand it. There are times when I feel that my heart sways back and forth like a reed in the wind between whole-hearted love for Jesus and a half-hearted love for Him and the things of this world.
Jesus said that because iniquity abounds, the LOVE of many shall wax cold. Many will be offended, betrayed, and persecuted. Many will do the betraying as the allures of the world and Satan seem more important to them than the call of eternity. It’s late neighbor and believe me, things are not going to really improve that much. The only hope for fallen humanity is the same hope that was preached 2,000 years ago and that’s the gospel of the Crucified Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!
Matthew 24:10-15
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. [11] And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. [12] And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. [13] But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Matthew 24:21
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the entire world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
John 1:28-29
These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. [29] The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.
It is my prayer that we find that place of total sold-out devotion to Him as it is my prayer those who read this message today do as well. Neighbor, I dare say the next 12 months even will be anything less than riveting, prophetic and dangerous to the point that we as Christians may be hiding for our very lives here in America for the gospel’s sake. Other parts of the world are experiencing that right now. It’s coming here soon. I’m not sure what form it will take but whatever the form, we’re about to see how committed we really are.
As we write this fourth and final installment in a series of the Bride of Christ’s portrayal of Her Bridegroom, I pray we find encouragement in this description for it is the LONGINGS of our heart that will keep us on the path to life in these last days. The Holy Ghost births the longings for Jesus in the heart of man. Because of the BLOOD He shed for us, these longings will help us know Him for ALL eternity; learning more about Him and experiencing the wondrous bounty and beauty of being His bride. This love for Him will consume the very nature of who we are. He is calling us today to a love for Him that is so consuming that we will lead others or it will ignite a greater love that burns within the people who are already touched by His love.
The literal story of the song concerns Solomon while he was visiting in the northern part of his kingdom. At Shunem he found a shepherdess whose beauty and charm he was so captivated with that he took her to Jerusalem, hoping to win her for his queen of queens. Having already been promised to a shepherd of her own community, she proved herself faithful to his love; she was finally married to him with the sanction of the king and her own family, as can be seen from the headings of the text.
There are actually 30 things the Shulamite, a type of the church, said about the Shepherd Lover, Solomon, a type of Christ:
1. My spikenard (Song 1:12)
2. A bundle of myrrh (Song 1:13)
3. My well beloved
4. My beloved is as a cluster of campfire (Song 1:14).
5. You are fair (beautiful, Song 1:16).
6. Pleasant (sweet and delightful)
7. As the apple tree among the wild trees, so is my beloved among men (Song 2:3).
8. My beloved is like a roe and a young hart upon the mountains (Song 2:9,17).
9. My dove (Song 2:14)
10. He has a sweet voice.
11. His countenance is comely (handsome).
12. He feeds among the lilies (Song 2:16).
13. Him whom my soul loves (Song 3:3-4).
14. My beloved is white and ruddy (Song 5:10).
15. Chiefest among ten thousand.
16. His head is as the most fine gold (Song 5:11).
17. His locks are bushy.
18. His hair is black as a raven.
19. His eyes are as the eyes of doves, fitly set (Song 5:12).
20. His cheeks are as beds of spices (Song 5:13).
21. They are as sweet flowers.
22. His lips are like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.
23. His hands are as gold rings set with beryl (Song 5:14).
24. His belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.
25. His legs are as pillars of marble set in sockets of fine gold (Song 5:15).
26. His countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as cedars.
27. His mouth is most sweet (Song 5:16).
28. He is altogether lovely.
29. This is my beloved, and this is my friend.
30. My beloved is mine and I am his (Song 2:16; Song 6:3).
Hands Are Rods Of Gold Set With Beryl
Song 5:14
His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.
His hands or arms refer to the way that He accomplishes His work. This speaks of His perfect power, omnipotence and sovereign activity. It also refers to His ability to accomplish anything that He pleases, both in natural creation and in the spiritual realm. He accomplished your redemption and reigns over all His works throughout the eternal ages. His hands are skillful in accomplishing everything that is GOOD, and they are LIKE GOLD.
Gold speaks of heaven and deity. It speaks of kingship. All that the Lord does has Godly purity behind it for everything HE does is filled with wisdom, love and divine power.
If you need a touch today friend, there is no other touch in the universe you need other than the touch of Christ. What a statement. His hands extended bring healing to the brokenhearted. His hands extended bring power, grace and deliverance to the captives. His hands extended bring hope to the poor, and opening of sight to the blind. Man’s problem goes deeper than physical blindness. Man’s problem is SPIRITUAL blindness and He needs a redeemer.
The hands of Jesus are so needed in the church today. All the man-made church growth efforts that takes months and years to see success pale in comparison to the touch of Christ, whose hands bring more in five seconds than all of man’s efforts in five decades. Man tries so hard to touch this world without the touch of Jesus and it stinks to the human race. We cannot touch this world for Christ without having HIS HANDS operating through us. If HIS HANDS are in it, then I guarantee that it will stand the test of hell itself.
Matthew 16:16-19
And Simon Peter answered and said; Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. [17] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father that is in heaven. [18] And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. [19] And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
John 13:3 - Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
All power and authority rests in the hands of the Bridegroom. They are rods of gold, set with beryl.
His Body
Solomon said that His Body is “carved ivory inlaid with sapphires.” In the KJV, Christ’s body is called His belly. It is the Hebrew idea of tender compassion. They would have said that out of their bellies flowed tender compassion. This speaks of God’s tender mercy toward weak and sinful people. Nothing reveals His beauty as does His tenderness to fallen people. It is liked carved ivory, or as the KJV says, “bright ivory.” Polished ivory was rare and expensive. His compassion and His patience toward weakness are described as very rare and unusual, which indeed they are.
Isaiah 55:9
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
This passage refers to His ability to forgive weak people. There is no one on the earth who forgives weak people as the Lord does. This mercy is not a blank check for us to sin. It’s not God saying, “Boys will be boys. Go ahead and have a little bit more leeway.” It is skillful mercy that brings us to repentance, purity and wisdom. It is not mercy that has no object in it, but it is strategic and as purposeful as mounting a sapphire stone. His creativity in showing His mercy brings righteousness and trains us in wisdom.
His compassion for us chastens us when we sin. He doesn’t want us to lose out with Him in eternity. He wants us to inherit eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
His Legs
In addition, His legs are pillars of marble. This attribute is the administration of His will and kingdom. The apostles are the pillars of His kingdom. They are the strength that holds up His church. Pillars in our churches are the individuals who provide strength through their endurance, wisdom, gifts and maturity.
The Body of Christ needs to be very careful it does not forget those with maturity in the faith. We can glean a great deal from those with gray hair! Those gray hair usually indicate a testimony of a life which has learned how to trust in Jesus and has stood the test of time and temptation.
His Countenance
His countenance is described as “like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.” The countenance speaks of the impartation of Go to his people.
Psalm 4:6
There be many that say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
When God shines His countenance on your heart he is imparting Himself to you. When the light of God shone down upon Mary, the Holy Spirit overshadowed her, and a very significant impartation occurred. The Father wants to impart His affection for Jesus and wants us to love Jesus as He does. He has the ability to take weak flesh and infuse it with divine character trait called godliness.
You can lay hands on somebody and pray for them all day long, but if the Holy Spirit does not move, you cannot impart anything. God, however, has an infinite power to impart His own character trais of wisdom, purity and passion into you. That’s a unique ability that only God possesses that allows Him to place a deposit into the center of the human being.
The Bride
With her heart spilling over with supernatural tenderness the bride of Christ gazes upon the holy majesty of her heavenly Bridegroom. That has been the theme of this message series. From the intimacy of the secret chambers of her heart, out of the depths of love and magnificent devotion, an exalted, heavenly song flows forth. The Son of Solomon is a description of the Bridegroom through the eyes of a lovesick bride.
So powerful are the words that flow supernaturally from her lips that understanding the parables she recites will strengthen our hearts with power to preserve through even the fiercest storm. To understand the heart of the lovesick bride in these messages is to see God in a depth that few of us are privileged to enter. Some may never enter it. As together we behold our Bridegroom through the Shulamite’s eyes, I pray that God will open the eyes of our understanding and illuminate our hearts to one of the greatest mysteries of our wonderful faith.
The secret of the bride’s persevering for Jesus while in the midst of trials has, we hope, been described in these messages over the past month or so. The young bride is tested, as all the church will soon be, yet she bursts forth with love for Jesus unequal to even the most faithful of our day. It is the greatest expressions of worship ever found in the Word of God.
The bride’s worship of the King here in Song of Solomon must be OUR worship to the King. It unveils the splendor of JESUS and an outstanding statement of LOVE for Him.
Song 5:10-16
My beloved is white and ruddy, the Chiefest among ten thousand. [11] His head is as the finest gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven. [12] His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. [13] His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. [14] His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. [15] His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. [16] His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
The Holy Spirit speaks in poetic parables to provide multiple layers of rich understanding for the hungry soul. God often speaks of deep things in the hidden language so that the spiritual hungry will see out deeper meaning. Christ taught parables for two reasons: to make truth easy and to make truth difficult so that only the hungry heart of love could experience them.
The Song of Solomon is a love song. And neighbor, if there is ever a time when you and I need to grab hold onto a love song, it is NOW. His love will keep us through the darkest of night and deepest of trials. I’m afraid that this current generation knows very little of what suffering for Jesus is really all about. I’m not sure that I know what suffering for Christ is really all about. The days ahead though will try the most faithful, believe me.
Perilous times are here, men will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, deceivers will be more deceived, going into greater depths of delusion and deception and never knowing the truth of the gospel.
2 Tim. 3:1-8
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. [6] For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, [7] Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Tim. 4:1-4
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; [3] Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
Matthew 24:10-15
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. [11] And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. [12] And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. [13] But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. [14] And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the entire world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Matthew 24:20-22
But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day: [21] For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. [22] And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened
We must have the Lord put a “seal upon our hearts,” so we can endure the days ahead.
As we close this journal, we must let that be our prayer. “Lord, seal me. Put the fiery love in me. Seal me, Jesus. Put the love in me.” Our desire for God must be stronger than our desire for sin, the world and the flesh. Our longing for Christ must become more intense than anything the enemy can lay before us and tempt us with.
I’m not talking about willpower here or trying to drum up a desire that is not there. I’m talking about a work of the Holy Spirit in our lives that only comes as a result of our faith in the finished work of Christ. When our faith is anchored right, HE comes on the scene and makes Jesus real and powerful in our hearts. That is the secret to victorious Christian living. Not some self-help seminar or church-growth movement plan made up in the minds of carnal and backslidden men.
Neighbor it’s getting late. It’s getting so late that I dare say as I stated earlier that the next 12 months may bring some of the most riveting times in human history. We’re living in such times!
I pray you know the bridegroom today. John said he ‘heard the bridegroom speak’ and his heart was made glad:
John 3:29-32 - He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. [30] He must increase, but I must decrease. [31] He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. [32] And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifies; and no man receives his testimony.
We too, must HEAR the bridegroom’s voice and our joy will be fulfilled. HE MUST INCREASE, we must decrease. John called himself a “friend” of the bridegroom. I believe this generation is going to enter into a realm of that revelation unknown to man in any generation before us. That’s both exciting and scary. Greater revelation mean’s greater responsibility and need for His grace to carry out the mandates given to us by the Holy Spirit.
The church cannot bring the harvest in with its machinery. We MUST have the heart of the bridegroom and the power of the HOLY SPIRIT to make it a reality. I pray you know the bridegroom today and He lives inside your heart in a real way. It’s getting late neighbor and it’s harvest time.
Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
