Doves' Eyes

"Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes" (Song 1:15).

What a field of divine treasure we would miss if we limited God's Word to it's natural circumstance! What a blessing we would avoid if we neglected His deeper truths! In fact, Scripture itself identifies the complexity and density of meaning that God's Word possesses: "Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge?" (Prov 22:20). The word "excellent" here actually means "threefold; weighty". There is at least a three-fold application of God's Word: it possesses a natural and literal significance, a spiritual significance, and a prophetic significance. Friend, we should seek each and every application, not only those of which we are accustomed to. Why should we neglect God's counsel here? Let's seek His weighty truth! The Psalmist has rightly said, "thy commandment is exceeding broad" (Ps 119:96)! Oh what a wonder!

Such is so regarding the above verse, from the Song of Solomon. So many believers limit the Song of Solomon to a natural love story, and while this is true and beneficial, don't you see more? If Paul likened the union of Christ and His church to that of a husband and wife (Eph 5:25-32), shouldn't we search the Scriptures to see the many aspects of this relationship? Of course. Paul's metaphor was not for a vain reason! It was divinely inspired.

What are doves' eyes, and what do they have to do with the bride who "hath made herself ready" (Rev 19:7)? As always, there is much to be discovered and gleaned for the serious Bible student.

Naturally speaking, the doves of Syria had very large eyes, and many think this to be the meaning of the compliment given by Solomon to his lover, the Shulamite woman. "She must have had such remarkably fine eyes", according to many Bible expositors. But is that all we are to receive from this verse of Scripture? I don't believe so. How does this glorious attribute apply to One "greater than Solomon" (Lk 11:31), and to the bride that He is longing to possess, as is clearly typified by Solomon and his Shulamite lover? Let's see..

(1) Interestingly, doves are able to see a remarkable 300 degrees peripherally. However, they are only able to focus on one thing at a time. Can't we determine the obvious spiritual significance of this truth? "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple" (Ps 27:4). And again we read concerning Mary's attendance to the Word of God, "But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (Lk 10:42). And finally concerning Paul the Bible says, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:13-14). How appropriate then that this attribute is to be applied to the emerging bride of Christ! Such a forward focus is to be her goal.. Such a single-eyed devotion is to be her prize and possession.

(2) The second attribute concerning doves' eyes is related to the first. A dove, once it has begun its focus on its mate, is not easily distracted; doves mate for life! Once they have decided on something to behold, they are able to keep their gaze forever, whereas most other birds are fleeting. How wonderful that God Himself attributes this characteristic to the bride of Christ. She too is continually and steadfastly tending to Jesus, no matter what distractions and "other lovers" may come her way. She simply cannot look away. When other lovers appear to entice her, she remains faithful.. The world may ask "what is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us?" (Song 5:9). But her answer will faithfully be "My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand" (Song 5:10)! Such is the heart of the true bride; she is the personification of faithfulness: "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil" (Prov 31:10-11). Another translation reads, "Her husband trusts her with all his heart, and he does not lack anything good" (Prov 31:11, GWT). How can this bride posses such a marvelous quality? Because her "eyes" have been enlightened! "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints" (Eph 1:17-18).

(3) Our brief study would not be complete without seeing the conflicting eyes that this bride is distinguished from. The bride's "doves' eyes" are in sharp contrast to "a high look" (Ps 101:5), an "evil eye" (Matt 20:15), and "eyes full of adultery" (2 Pet 2:14). What a precious and honorable comparison!

May the Lord delicately work this attribute into all of our lives.