How does Song of Solomon 4:11 connect to Ephesians 5:25-33 on love? Verse at a Glance “Your lips, my bride, drip sweetness like the honeycomb; honey and milk are under your tongue, and the fragrance of your garments is like the scent of Lebanon.” (Songs 4:11) Love Imagery in Songs 4:11 • Honeycomb, honey, and milk point to delight, abundance, and nourishment (Exodus 3:8). • “Fragrance” speaks of pleasing intimacy—an aroma cherished by the beloved (Philippians 4:18). • The bride’s words and presence refresh and satisfy; her husband revels in her sweetness. Overview of Ephesians 5:25-33 • Husbands are commanded to “love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (v. 25). • Christ’s goal: sanctify, cleanse, and present the church “in splendor” (v. 26-27). • Husbands must “nourish and cherish” their wives as their own bodies (v. 29). • The union of husband and wife mirrors the “profound mystery” of Christ and His church (v. 32-33). Connecting the Dots 1. Sweet Nourishment • Songs 4:11: honey and milk under the bride’s tongue. • Ephesians 5:29: husbands “nourish” their wives. • Connection: marital love feeds the soul—words and actions bring life (Proverbs 16:24). 2. Cherished Fragrance vs. Cherishing Care • Song: the bride’s fragrance captivates. • Ephesians: husbands “cherish” (keep warm, treasure) their wives. • Both passages highlight delight, pleasure, and devoted attention. 3. Covenant Delight Mirrors Covenant Sacrifice • Solomon exults in his bride; Paul calls husbands to Christ-like sacrifice. • Joy (Song) and self-giving love (Ephesians) are not opposites but complements. 4. Presenting in Splendor • The bride’s beauty is celebrated in Song. • Christ presents a glorious church; husbands aim to encourage the spiritual beauty of their wives. Nourishment and Protection • Honey/milk supply energy and growth; so a husband’s love supplies spiritual security (1 Peter 3:7). • Sweet, wholesome speech builds trust and guards the marriage (Ephesians 4:29). Mutual Delight and Sacrificial Devotion • Solomon relishes his bride’s sweetness; she feels safe to give herself. • Christ’s sacrifice births the church’s loving response; a husband’s sacrifice opens the door for affectionate intimacy. Practical Takeaways for Couples • Speak sweetness: let words refresh, not wound. • Feed, don’t drain: look for ways to nourish—time in Scripture, prayer, encouragement. • Cherish intentionally: delight in your spouse’s God-given qualities; verbalize praise. • Sacrifice daily: small acts of self-denial echo Christ’s cross and foster deeper joy. • Pursue purity: just as Christ cleanses the church, guard the marriage bed (Hebrews 13:4). Broader Biblical Echoes • Proverbs 5:18-19—rejoice in the wife of your youth. • John 15:13—greater love has no one than laying down his life. • Revelation 19:7—“the marriage of the Lamb has come”; earthly marriages point forward to that ultimate union. |
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