Song of Solomon 1:8  If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents.
9  I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots.
10  Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.
11  We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.

We continue the scene of a newly wed couple. The groom, speaking here in verse 8, wants to know where the flocks are kept. The scene could be describing her as a shepherdess who tends the flock with others. That may be why her skin is darker or she may truly be a black woman. We know shepherds were quite common in Bible times. We know that if there were no sons, the daughters would look after that task. Eleazar met Rebekah at the well with her father’s sheep. She had a brother, but Rebekah was at the well on that occasion. Moses also met his future wife at a well.
Again we see that the groom sees his bride as fairest among women. A young boy needs to be taught that beauty is only skin deep. When he comes to the age of seeking a wife he needs to see more than just her outward features. If his eyes are trained for outward beauty, he may end up having a wandering eye. He needs to allow God to lead him to the one He has for him and he will see her beauty, both outward, and inner.
The descriptive language used in this book is not likely the way we would talk today, but Solomon was a lover of horses. He had many horses. God directed every word written here, but he often used language familiar to the writer and recipients.
The groom, a type of Jesus Christ, saw His bride, the true saint as fairest among women. Certainly Jesus Christ desires to present His bride without spot or wrinkle before His heavenly Father. He will do that because we are washed in His precious blood. There may be loss of reward but the true saint will be without spot in the Father’s presence.
It is important for true Christians to depict the blessings of God’s salvation. This again flies in the face of the modern secular depiction of Christianity.
In verses 9-11 the bride is speaking of her groom. She sees him as better than all the horses in Pharaoh’s chariots. The army would want the best horses. They do not want lame horses or horses that lack endurance. The bride here, a picture of the true saint, speaks of her Saviour as being better than anything else. Many times, prior to salvation, we try other ways to find the peace and joy our soul longs for. The world has nothing to offer. They have many bandaids but they have nothing of true value.
We see in these verses that the bride has eyes to be able to see detail.

Psalm 34:8  O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

God gives us the ability to see what He has to offer us. The Bible tells us:

II Corinthians 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Yesterday, we had the “santa claus” parade in our town. The weather was cold so they did not run the full route. However, from our house, we saw the activity of people scurrying about to be in the right place for the parade. People will come out in the cold to see a fictitious character designed to keep people away from God, but they will not bother to go to a true church where they can learn about the wonderful Saviour God has provided for us.
The good news is that God is able to show people that their lure to the secular is vain. A few will see that and will turn to the Lord. Those few will be so grateful that He opened their eyes to see true beauty.
In verse 10 the bride continues to describe this handsome, powerful man she has found. She notes his cheeks and how they are better than the rows of jewels and the chains of gold about the neck. Those who are truly saved have found Someone that is better than anything else. True saints are excited about their gift of salvation. There can be things that distract at times, but that is why true saints need to be in God’s Word daily and they need to be in a true church that teaches the truth. Jesus Christ will exceed every need we have.

Ephesians 3:20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21  Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

In verse 11 we see that the true saints are loyal to their Saviour. They do not want anything to come in the way of the sweet relationship that is provided in salvation. In a true marriage, the relationship grows sweeter. It does not grow old. I know the Lord has been showing me that in our relationship. I enjoy being with my wife. God gave me a beautiful wife and she is becoming more precious to me all the time. I sense that same spirit in her toward me. It is a beautiful thing to let the Lord lead in life.
Today is the Lord’s Day. Don’t settle for the fluff of the devil when you can enjoy the truth today. Ask God to lead you to a true church and then follow Him there. Go with a heart prepared to worship and know Him.
Pastor Bartel