Lifelong Romance

Order of Service

• Sermon
• Prayer of Dismissal

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Sermon Title: Lifelong Romance

Scripture: Song of Solomon 7:1-10

I. Review: The Wife's Description of Her Husband (Song of Solomon 5:10-16)

A. He is pure — references to white, ivory, and marble B. He is handsome — physical attractiveness is affirmed C. He is wise — his head is described as gold, recalling Proverbs where wisdom is likened to riches D. He is gentle and sober — his eyes are not red or bloodshot with anger or drunkenness E. He is strong in authority — a rod of gold and jewels befitting a king F. He is spiritually strong — his legs like columns set on bases of gold, immovable and set on eternal things G. He is tall in stature and character — confident, willing to do what is right H. His words are kind and caring — his mouth and lips bring sweetness and perfume

II. Threats to Romance in Marriage

A. Sin and temptation erode intimacy B. Life's busyness crowds out intentional connection C. Unmet or unstated expectations create distance D. Laziness — the work of staying close becomes tiresome E. Forgetfulness — taking a spouse for granted over time F. Age — physical changes and decreased energy affect the relationship G. Cultural narrative — married life is portrayed as boring, bitter, and joyless in popular media

III. The Husband's Description of His Wife (Song of Solomon 7:1-9)

A. This description moves from feet upward, unlike previous descriptions that began at the head

1. He begins at her feet — likely kneeling before her as a servant, recalling Jesus washing the disciples' feet
2. Her sandals signal trust — slaves and concubines were denied shoes to prevent escape; she is free and trusted, recalling the capable wife of Proverbs 31

B. Her thighs, navel, and belly — things seen only by her husband

1. Wine and wheat evoke harvest and bounty — she is industrious and productive
2. He compliments both her physical beauty and her character simultaneously — the benefit of poetic double meaning

C. Her breasts are described in identical language to Song of Solomon 4 (their wedding night) — the only repeated description

1. Physical bodies age and change, but romantic desire need not wither correspondingly
2. Echoes Proverbs 5:18-19 — rejoice in the wife of your youth; be intoxicated always in her love
3. He sees her with the same youthful desire as on their wedding night — this description is arguably even more sensual than the earlier one

D. Her neck like an ivory tower — purity and strength; she is a refuge E. Her eyes like the pools of Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim — holiness, depth, and intimacy F. Her nose like the tower of Lebanon looking toward Damascus

1. Damascus was the capital of Syria, a longstanding enemy of Israel
2. She is watchful — guarding against threats to her husband and family

G. Her head crowned like Mount Carmel, her hair like purple — royalty and leadership

1. She is a capable queen; whatever is entrusted to her care, she handles well
2. He respects her as a trusted advisor who is both smart and wise

H. The palm tree and fruit imagery — building on the garden image from chapter 4

1. A palm tree grows near water; in an arid land, it represents beauty and refreshment
2. He finds his wife altogether delightful — a source of shade, coolness, and renewal
3. This description is more sensual than chapter 4, showing that intimacy increases rather than decreases with time

I. Ten characteristics are described, compared to seven in chapter 4

1. Seven is the Hebrew number of perfection
2. Ten is the number of wholeness and completeness — he tops the wedding night description
3. Their marriage has grown richer through weathering conflict together

IV. The Wife's Response: The Curse Reversed (Song of Solomon 7:10)

A. She declares: I am my beloved's, and his desire is for me B. The curse pronounced at the fall — Genesis 3:16 — her desire would be for (or against) her husband

1. The same construction appears in Genesis 4:7 where sin's desire is against Cain
2. Here the word carries a positive rather than adversarial connotation

C. The curse is reversed — his desire is for her, not against her

1. Christian marriage, rightly submitted to God, is meant to undo the effects of the fall
2. Marriage is designed to be a blessing, a refuge, and a delight to both spouses
3. This redemptive potential is available to every couple that lives in accordance with God's design