Song of Solomon 4:5

If the others dwell on the glories of the King, He, for His part, delights in the beauties and perfections of His bride. The bride delights to speak to others of the glories of the King. His joy is to unfold to her His thoughts about herself. It is a blessed thing to tell others of the glories of Christ. But to establish our hearts in solid peace and joy, we need to hear from the lips of Christ His own thoughts about His people.

Each feature being perfect in itself, He sees in her the assemblage of perfection and beauty. "You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you." How closely He looks shows the boundless interest and delight He has in her. The number seven, too, gives the idea of fullness and completeness. In every part and proportion, the believer is perfect in Christ's perfectness, and lovely in His loveliness. He has put away all that was ours, and given us all that is His own. Such praise from man would do us harm, but coming from His lips it only deepens our humility and makes us more like Himself.

The breasts set forth the affections. Proverbs 5:19 uses the figure of the roe in the same connection, to show what is pleasant. The "young" roe sets forth what is fresh. In the eyes of Christ His people are marked by love that is truly pleasant and that will never grow old.

This beautiful feature, the seventh in number, is the emblem of two things. First, of moral development — the forming of the heart for Christ, the affections drawn out to Him. Second, of nourishment — the means of growth and blessing to others. The contrast between the bride and "the little sister" of Song 8:8 is marked and instructive. "We have a little sister, and she has no breasts."

The breasts show maturity. They also remind us of a mother's love and her ability to nourish and cherish the little one. In Song 2:9 Christ is likened to the roe, or gazelle, and here her breasts are likened to two young roes. This shows she has reached a mature, Christ-like affection, and so can also nourish and cherish young believers. It takes more than knowledge to nourish a young believer. Besides knowledge one must have a Christ-like, tender compassion, love and affection. Here, then, is a practical word for Sunday School teachers and parents who teach the young. It is a word too for all who seek to help young believers.

In feeding "among the lilies" they now find their delight where He finds His. "He grazes among the lilies." The heart is drawn out, and the affections are formed for Christ, as He shows Himself to us by the Holy Spirit. Oh, that our hearts — my heart — may desire this more and more, that there may be a more perfect development of His love there.