Page 239 - Radical Love by Linda Robinson
P. 239
RADICAL LOVE
In other translations, verse 11 (NIV) reads differently and says: “His
head is purest gold; his hair is wavy and black as a raven.”
Jesus is our Head, and He is totally trustworthy because He rules us
flawlessly—in power, with love, truth, justice, kindness, gentleness,
and mercy.
We must also remember that gold is malleable. Our Lord is not a hard
and rigid God. He sympathizes with our weaknesses, and when we get
things wrong, His grace abounds. Gold speaks of His undeserved merit
and love flowing down toward us.
The black, wavy hair is a symbol of His everlasting vigour, strength,
and youthfulness. Our God, although from everlasting to everlasting
and known as “The Ancient of Days,” is a picture of superabundant
life, vitality, health, and fortitude. And this has been made available to
us by the poured-out body and blood of Jesus.
The text continues with further compliments to His beauty and
character. The Passion Translation is very easy to understand, but some
other translations may be less obvious. For the sake of readers with
other versions, I will explain what I consider to be potential sticking
points that could hinder a clearer understanding of the text.
In verse 12 of the New International Version (NIV), it says:
“His eyes are like doves by the water streams, washed in milk, mounted
like jewels.”
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