Yesterday our prayer pastor, Geannine LeBude, was our speaker. Below is an introduction to her sermon…
We begin where we ended last week with the daughters of Jerusalem asking the bride a question. The daughters of Jerusalem are seeking an answer to the reason for her persevering love in the midst of deep trails. They have been watching her and questioning her actions and affection for Jesus. They witness her hardship and trails and this ignites a curiosity in them. They want to know why she is willing to endure trials and even persecution for her Beloved.
The daughters of Jerusalem ask the bride a question. In essence, they ask, “Why do you love Him so much that you charge us to go find Him? He has abandoned you. He took His presence away from you (5:6) and lets the elders wound you as they took your ministry from you (5:7).
They see that she is lovesick for Jesus in the midst of her difficulties instead of being filled with complaints and depression. Her deep love provokes them more than her wisdom or giftedness. We are made beautiful to others by our love more than by our wisdom or power. (1 Peter 3:3-4) Do not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel- rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
The bride begins in verse 10 to describe Jesus by using the imagery of the temple, combining it with imagery of the human body. She is not describing the beauty of Jesus’ physical features, but His personality / His character. Her answer reveals her love for Jesus. She gives 10 descriptions of Jesus’ majestic beauty. This is one of the greatest proclamations of Jesus’ beauty in the Scripture.