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Day 64: Accessory For Beauty (SoS 1:11)

 We will make you ornaments of gold With studs of silver.

Song of Songs 1:11

Man's existence began with the words let us make man in Genesis chapter 1. God's work was very good. Perfect. Until sin entered into the world and destroyed the nature of man and separated him from God. God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit continued working with men till the redemption plan was executed completely.

After redemption, they haven't stopped working. By the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, all three Persons of the trinity partner to work in and through us till we are the image of the matured redeemed Bride of Christ partnering with Him to bring His purpose for the earth to pass.

Our verse for today speaks of the Beloved saying in the plural term that He will make the Bride ornaments to add to and showcase her beauty. It represents the work of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit in the life of each believer. How our lives are further beautified by the Lord.

Gold and Silver in the bible apart from being very valuable and measurements of wealth had significant meanings. Both were also used for furnishing but gold was considered more valuable because silver was used for more day-to-day transactions.

Gold as used here is a symbol of divine godly character wrought in us by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Peter in 1 Peter 1:7 says our genuine faith is more precious than gold tested and purified by fire. Job says in Job 23:10:

"But he knows the way that I live. When he has finished testing me, he will see that I am pure. I will be as pure as gold." (Easy English Bible)

So even though gold has many significances, its character makes it the ideal metal to compare with godly characters. Gold is:
  • A good conductor: allowing electricity to flow through them easily. Refers to allowing the Holy Spirit to easily work through us.
  • Ductile: can be pulled and stretched thin so it's easily molded. We must be easily led by the Holy Spirit. Prone to follow Him at all times.
  • Highly reflective of heat and light. We are the light of the world. The radiance of God shines through us.
  • Beautiful. As we are in Christ.
  • Resistant to corrosion: Not easily corrupted
  • Not easily melted: it can withstand heat. We must be patient and long-suffering.

Silver has many significances too. But the most important however is that it represents redemption. In Leviticus 27 God instructs Israel that when anyone was consecrated or promised to Him, they can be freed/redeemed by paying a certain amount of silver determined by their age and gender. Also, Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 shekels of silver.

This represents the Holy Spirit working within us to make all men partake of eternal life and the benefits of redemption.

Both of these works of the Holy Spirit in us are what Jesus referred to as the Spirit within that springs up to eternal life in John 4:14 and the river of living water flowing from within to bless all men in our world in John 7:38.

As ornaments are made by continually dipping the metals in fire and beating them to shape. We will go through many tests and trials of faith. Malachi 3:1-4 tells us that God will purify His own like gold and refine them as silver till they offer offerings in righteousness. Mathew 3:11-12 tells us Jesus will baptize us with fire.

We will face challenges and persecutions but as ornaments are visible for all to see and appreciate, our loveliness will not just be visible and appreciated by Christ. It will be visible for all men to see and glorify God's name.

But like these metals submit and do not argue through the process, we must submit to God's dealings with us so our beauty may appear for all to see.

PRAY WITH ME:
Lord Jesus, thank you for Your continual work in me through the Holy Spirit. I submit to every process you bring me through that men may glorify God through me. Amen.

REFLECT AND ACT:
  • Today, meditate on and pray with Malachi 3:2-4. Ask the Lord to purge you of anything that does not showcase godly character: the work of the Holy Spirit in you.
  • How can you partner with the Holy Spirit today to help others come to salvation and enjoy the benefits of redemption?

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