‘Altogether Lovely’

‘Altogether Lovely’

His mouth is most sweet, Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, And this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem!

Song of Solomon 5:16

One of our readers wrote a note to us, not long ago, which said, ‘Thank you for writing about the Altogether Lovely One.’ This was very encouraging.  It is our desire above all else to make much of Christ. If we succeed in nothing else, we desire to succeed in that. The note also led us to consider Christ under that title, ‘The Altogether Lovely One,’ which derives from our text for today. How is Christ so? The passage which precedes our text is a physical description of the Bridegroom. Albeit poetical and stylized, it is the closest thing we have in Scripture to a depiction of the Incarnate Christ. What we conclude from it first, is that Christ is, ‘The Altogether Lovely One,’ physically. He is no effete, effeminate Savior. His Body was honed by years of manual labor, His aspect was noble, His bearing regal. Beyond that, He is Altogether Lovely mentally. Listen to His messages. Follow the logic. Wonder at ‘the gracious words which proceeded out of His Mouth.’  He is ‘Altogether Lovely’ spiritually. He exhibits the purest form of theology with the most practical and pertinent application. Moreover, He is ‘Altogether Lovely’ socially. Christ is a very engaging Character. He has a broad appeal. As He is lifted up He draws all manner of people unto Himself. Let us today settle our minds and hearts upon the Great Object of our desires, ‘The Altogether Lovely One.’

Our Altogether Lovely Savior,
how our hearts adore You.
We long forever, to behold Your Beauty for all our days,
and to lie in Your embrace for all eternity.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning