The Song of Solomon 7:4, “Thy neck is as a tower of ivory; thine eyes like the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.”
Solomon, in his description of his beloved Shulamite, now comes to her neck, eyes and nose. As I’ve said before, some of the language of this Inspired Song may not be suitable for your wedding day. I can imagine the reaction if a man looked at his bride during their vows and said, “honey, you have eyes like a bird, teeth like a sheep and hair like a goat.” But the Bible student should seek for a deeper meaning of the words than just those of a singular man and/or woman.
The neck of the Shulamite has already been mentioned in the Song (see 4:4). The neck’s purpose is to uphold the head. The head of the Church is Jesus. The purpose of the bride of Christ is to uphold the Lord and His truth in this world. The Church, according to Paul in 1 Timothy 3:15, is the “pillar and ground of the truth.” The neck of the Shulamite is said to be “as a tower of ivory.” The language is teaching us that the motive for upholding Jesus Christ and His truth in this world by the Church is pure. The truth declared by the Lord’s Church is not for self promotion or pride, but for the glorification of God.
The eyes of the Shulamite are said to be “like the fishpools of Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim:…” I have a precious friend in Virginia who made a large fish pool beside his driveway. When I visited there, usually for preaching appointments, I would get up early and enjoy the peace of just watching the calm waters and the fish swimming slowing around in the waters. A quick study of the “fishpools of Heshbon” will lead one to understand that they were not a natural occurrence, but they were made. In my own words, Solomon is saying her eyes display a peace that is not of this world. Taking this and applying it to the Church we can see the peace that is enjoyed in the Church, in truth and fellowship with the Lord, is not of this world. But even more, the eyes are the vision for the body. The vision the Church possesses is not something made by man, but is given to her by God.
Solomon’s description of her nose is similar to that of the eyes. The “tower of Lebanon” was made. This may be referring to her senses more so than the outward appearance. Her nose reminded Solomon of the “tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.” As we meditate upon these words and consider the New Testament Church, we are able to apply these words to the senses of the Church. The senses of the Church and her ability to feel the presence of her Lord and Savior is not an invention of man, but something given her by the working of the Lord’s hands.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, as we put the three together (neck, eyes and nose) we are able to gather that the Church, in upholding the truth, has a vision and has spiritual senses that this world cannot afford. If any person has a desire to sharpen their spiritual abilities, being at Church on a regular basis is essential. Amen!