Friday, March 12, 2010

Our Redeemer - Altogether Lovely

His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of JerusalemSong of Solomon 5:16  (KJV)


My absolute favorite web site is Fire and Ice: Puritan and Reformed Writings. I have spent many hours there just reading the articles and treatises by Puritans and other Reformed writers who knew and loved our Lord and Saviour so well. (One of the neat features of Fire and Ice is the "easy-on-the-eyes" option that you can click on to change the the color of the background.)

Here is a short excerpt from John Flavel's article, Christ Altogether Lovely. It is Flavel's exposition of Song of Songs 5:16 where he brings out some of the many ways in which Christ is "altogether lovely."  If this small portion leaves you desiring more, read the entire article. (I have re-read it many times) It is only about four pages when it is printed out.

So, here it is, from  "Yes, He is altogether lovely." Song of Songs 5:16

He is a lovely Redeemer, Isa. 61:1. He came to open the prison-doors to them that are bound. Needs must this Redeemer be a lovely one, if we consider the depth of misery from which he redeemed us, even "from the wrath to come," 1 Thess. 1:10.

Consider the numbers redeemed, and the means of their redemption. Rev. 5:9, "And they sang a new song, saying, 'You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood, out of every kindred and tongue, and people and nation.'"

He redeemed us not with silver and gold, but with his own precious blood, by way of price, 1 Pet. 1:18,19. with his out-stretched and glorious arm, by way of power, Col. 1:13. He redeemed us freely, Eph. 1:7, fully Rom. 8:1, at the right time, Gal. 4:4, and out of special and particular love, John 17:9. In a word, he has redeemed us for ever, never more to come into bondage, 1 Pet. 1:5. John 10:28.

O how lovely is Jesus Christ in the relation of a Redeemer to God's elect!

__John Flavel

1 comment:

Persis said...

Thanks for posting the link and the excerpt.