God on Sex: The Creator's Ideas About Love, Intimacy, and Marriage by Daniel L. Akin Read Free Book Online Page A

and simplicity. Her eyes were an eloquent witness to the radiant woman on the inside. Our eyes are a significant communication device. Outside of our words they are our most important and effective means of communication.
    When we lived in Dallas, Texas, there was a woman who attended our church who was one mean lady. I have often said, somewhat playfully, that on any night there was a full moon over Dallas you could see her circling the city on her broom! One Sunday after church, we finished a conversation with this woman as pleasantly as we could. We then got into our van to go home. Charlotte and I are the parents of four sons, the oldest two being twins. One of the twins (they were probably eight or nine years old) came up front as we were about to leave and said, “Daddy, you know that lady you and mama were talking to? She scares me.”
    I started to say, “She scares me, too!” But I didn't. I did the proper daddy thing and said, “Oh? Why does she scare you?”
    His answer: “Well, she smiles with her face, but she has real mean eyes.”
    Eyes sometimes speak louder than our words, don't they? Shulammite smiled not just with her face. She also smiled with her eyes. Solomon admired and was captivated by her attractiveness, by her beauty on the outside as well as her beauty on the inside. Eyes are, after all, windows into the soul.
    Shulammite now returns the favor of her man's compliment. It is given willingly and honestly. “How handsome you are, my love. How delightful!” The word handsome is the same word as “beautiful” in verse 15, except it is in the masculine gender. “The word occurs 14 times in the Song, but only this once in the masculine form.” 4 There is an intensity in her words of praise. She continues by saying he is “delightful.” He calms her spirit. He puts her at rest. He sets her heart at peace.
    The kindness of his words in verse 15 were thoughtful. They met her at her point of need, and they spoke to her heart. The words were important. The man behind the words is essential. A woman is impressed by a man who understands and respects her personal and emotional needs. She loves a man who talks, who communicates. She is attracted to a man who in strength and masculinity says to her, “You have first place in my affections.” She will respond with enthusiasm and energy to a man who treats her in this way.
ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR THOUGHTFULNESS (VV. 16–17)
    Shulammite continues her praise of Solomon by pointing out “our bed is lush with foliage; the beams of our houses are cedars, and our rafters are cypresses.” Three times the word “our” occurs. His thoughtfulness in preparing a home for them is a source of security. No wonder her eyes speak tranquility and peace. John Snaith notes interestingly, “ Our couch [bed] denotes in Amos 6:4 particularly stylish and magnificent couches used for feasting; so the couch here … is not … any old bed!" 5 Solomon's thoughtfulness has provided a strong, sturdy (even royal) home. Their home will be safe and secure, a responsibility God expects a man to bear. It will also be sexual and sensual. “The bed is lush with foliage.” It is alive, fresh, fruitful. It will be a place of activity and growth, an environment conducive for the passionate lovemaking God says is a good thing in the marriage bed. Solomon is no insensitive male, and Shulammite appreciates and acknowledges his thoughtfulness. He will discover his actions are well worth the effort.
AFFIRM THEIR UNIQUENESS (chapter 2, vv. 1–2)
    Shulammite sees herself as the “rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.” Solomon then adds, “Like a lily among thorns, so is my darling among the young women.” This woman is utterly unique, rare and special to Solomon. His words have lifted her heart and self-worth to new heights. “The battle of praise” continues. “Rose of Sharon” is more accurately “a wild autumn flower of the valley.” 6 Sharon is the low coastal plain which