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The Bible’s Song of Love Verse by verse through the Song of Songs Part 3a CHAPTERS 3:6‑5:1 As we look back over the first two parts we can observe that the maiden is growing nearer to her Lord. The second part draws to a close on a note of almost distraught anxiety on the maiden’s part lest she should lose her Beloved again. Her love is earnest but still not mature and Part 3 introduces us to the maiden as one who has reached some "measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." (Eph.4:13) 3:6 It opens with the exclamations of admiration: "WHO IS THIS THAT COMETH UP OUT OF THE WILDERNESS LIKE PILLARS OF SMOKE, PERFUMED WITH MYRRH AND FRANKINCENSE, WITH ALL POWDERS OF THE MERCHANT?" This seems to follow appropriately after the events portrayed in the previous part. It is during the time of our Lord’s second presence that the true Church emerges from the wilderness condition pictured in Rev.12:6. The use of the feminine gender in the original confirms for us that the words are spoken of the maiden, but who are the speakers? May it not be that they are the angelic hosts? They gave voice to their wonder and joy at the first advent of our Lord and the Apostle Peter says that they "desire to look into" the outworking of God’s Plan. (1 Pet.1:12) The Apostle Paul also tells us that "we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels…" (1 Cor.4:9) The root meaning of "pillars of smoke" is "to be erect." (Similarly the word used for "burnt offering" in the Old Testament means "that which goes up.") The direction of rising pillars of smoke is towards heaven. Such a column can be seen from a distance like "a city set on a hill." The pillar of smoke is associated with fragrance as indicated in the reference to the "myrrh and frankincense and the powders of the merchant." The finest incense powders were those which merchants brought from the East. In the Tabernacle type we remember that the incense was crushed finely to bring out its full fragrance and in order that it should burn evenly. Its smoke ascended heavenwards, that is into the Most Holy. The thoughts which arise from this meditation have been crystallised in these words "She is invested with a fragrance that has been brought out under the action of fire…here the spouse is viewed as coming up from the wilderness, and bringing nothing with her but the sweet fragrance of Christ… The spouse comes up out of the wilderness twice in this book. She comes up here in all the fragrance that arises from the altar. But in the eighth chapter she comes up leaning on her Beloved." (CAC*) Verses 7‑11 refer to the Bridegroom and suggest that the Bride is not yet manifested. Thus the picture of our Lord’s second presence continues. It is the thought conveyed in our Lord’s parable of the ten virgins: "Behold, the Bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him." (Matt.25:6) In Jewish wedding celebrations the Bridegroom brings the Bride to the wedding. Similarly in this picture the heavenly onlookers, having seen the pillar of smoke, which marks the Bride’s ascent out of the wilderness, observe, in the next verse, that the Bridegroom goes forth to bring her to Him. 3:7 "BEHOLD, IT IS THE LITTER OF SOLOMON." It no doubt had the usual curtains which adds to the appropriateness of this symbol, for God Himself speaks of having "walked" with Israel "in a tent and in a tabernacle." (2 Sam.7:6) This "bed" of Solomon is an illustration of Christ’s presence amongst His own. They came up out of the wilderness condition of the Gospel Age. It is a bed of active service and is in striking contrast to the maiden’s "bed" of idle ease in verse 1. This symbolises the temporary resting place of the great antitypical Solomon. The litter is guarded and supported for "THREESCORE MIGHTY MEN ARE ABOUT IT, OF THE MIGHTY MEN OF ISRAEL." "It is to be noted that He does not provide a chariot, which would run upon wheels, but a "palanquin," which is carried by its bearers. The Lord’s movements, as thus typified, are not independent of His saints; He moves as carried by their affectionate fidelity…He moves amongst His people, but not independently of their affections and service." (CAC) This dependence, as it were, of the Lord upon His loved ones and at the same time His close association with them can be seen in His last words in Matt.28:19,20 (mar.): "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you all the days, even unto the consummation of the age." The example of David’s thirty mighty men (2 Sam.23) helps us to see more of the significance of the threescore mighty men of this passage. At a time when David was in a "wilderness" condition he, the anointed of God, was attended and served day and night by his mighty men "who shewed themselves strong with him in his kingdom." 3:8 Like them, the mighty men of the song "THEY ALL HANDLE THE SWORD, AND ARE EXPERT IN WAR: EVERY MAN HATH HIS SWORD UPON HIS THIGH, BECAUSE OF FEAR IN THE NIGHT." Those who would be mighty men in the service of the Lord must "take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two‑edged sword…and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Eph.6:17; Heb.4:12 KJV) Moreover the Lord’s "mighty men" must be on guard in what is now a wilderness condition, and not involved in the disputes of the city for "No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who enrolled as a soldier." (2 Tim.2:4) We need to be "expert in war" "lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." (2 Cor.2:11 KJV) The need for this was always true, but now when our Lord comes for His own and to take up His rulership, He sets His followers a special example for this is the time foretold by the Psalmist "Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one, thy glory and thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride on prosperously." (Psa.45:3,4) So let us also say "Blessed be the LORD, my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight…" "It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect…" (Psa.144:1; 18:32 KJV) "His resting place here is guarded by faithful affections…We often think of Him as protecting us, and where should we be without His protection? But here is another side…fidelity to Him in the face of all that is adverse, can only be maintained in a militant spirit...Think of the Lord entrusting Himself to the guardianship of His faithful lovers." (CAC) 3:9 As the onlookers approach the regal cavalcade the details of the Royal palanquin can be seen and so we read that "KING SOLOMON MADE HIMSELF A PALANQUIN OF THE WOOD OF LEBANON." The wood for the Temple was cut from the evergreen cedars and firs of Mount Lebanon. The wood of these trees is referred to in the prophecy of Israel’s restoration (Isa.60:13) in terms which suggest that they typify immortality and everlasting life, for we read that they shall "beautify the place of my sanctuary" which will, of course, be eternal. 3:10 "HE MADE THE PILLARS" or supports "THEREOF OF SILVER, THE BOTTOM" i.e. couch covering "THEREOF GOLD, THE SEAT OF IT OF PURPLE, THE MIDST THEREOF BEING PAVED (inlaid) WITH LOVE, FROM THE DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM." Thus we have a picture of Christ under a covering representing (by gold) the Divine promises (2 Pet.1:4), this being supported by pillars of truth "for the words of the LORD are…as silver." (Psa.12:6) All this covers the seat of royalty represented by purple–a royalty the Bride is to share. (Rev.5:9,10) The interiors of regal litters of this kind were generally painted with borders of flowers intermingled with short sentences telling of the power of love, so the inlay of love from the daughters of Jerusalem seems to picture the fact that throughout the Gospel age the whole body of Christians have at least kept Christ’s love prominently written up even if many have not chosen to go out personally to be with Him. To declare His love is good but intimate communion with Him in His love is conditional on following in His footsteps. "If ye keep my commandments" Jesus said "ye shall abide in my love." (John 15:10) We should also observe that, whilst "He" made the other parts of the palanquin, the expressions of love are accepted by Him from the daughters of Jerusalem. These professions of love, although sincere, are not as valuable as the labours of love of those who have put their shoulders to the task of the bearers. Moreover these are privileged to be always close to Him. 3:11 So the daughters are urged to "GO FORTH, O YE DAUGHTERS OF ZION," (of Jerusalem) "AND BEHOLD KING SOLOMON, WITH THE CROWN WHEREWITH HIS MOTHER HATH CROWNED HIM IN THE DAY OF HIS ESPOUSALS, AND IN THE DAY OF THE GLADNESS OF HIS HEART." The crown here is not a symbol of royalty, but of happiness like the festive marriage garlands of olden times. Christ was, of course, the "seed" of the Sarah covenant. This was His "Mother" and the "mother of His bride." (3:4) Jesus spoke of the gladness of His heart in relation to His loved ones in the words "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be fulfilled." (John 15:11) "This is a view of Christ which is very distinctive and precious…It may be noticed that we do not get any detailed description of her beauty in His eyes until after this, nor is she actually called the spouse until the next chapter. But the espousals having been celebrated He is now free to speak and act towards her according to the engagement into which He has entered. It is an immense privilege to contemplate Him as crowned in this peculiar and affectionate way. It is a very precious view of Christ." (CAC) 4:1 Once again the Bridegroom responds to the maiden’s expression of love and, without a word of rebuke, He tells her "BEHOLD, THOU ART FAIR, MY LOVE; BEHOLD, THOU ART FAIR; THINE EYES ARE AS DOVES BEHIND THY VEIL." "He loves to make her conscious that she has beauty in His eyes. As under grace and its teaching certain features are developed in the saints which are most attractive to Christ. The grace of God brings beautiful features into evidence… This scripture is intended to direct our attention to features which are attractive to Christ." (CAC) In Chapter 1 she had felt conscious of her swarthiness of features (verses 5,6). In this chapter we have a picture of developing beauty seen through His eyes—a beauty of which He gave her a hint in Chapter 1. In that Chapter we saw the significance of His references to the dove and that dove’s eyes suggest clear spiritual perception. Here we observe that this is "a feature which is hidden from the world…she veils it from their view." (CAC) "Blessed are your eyes" our Lord says to His followers "for they see…" (Matt.13:16) "Do we always consider that our spiritual vision is for the pleasure of Christ? Our spiritual apprehensions are not for display before men, to attract attention to ourselves; they are ‘behind the veil.’ It would be good if we regarded every accession of light, every enlarged view of Christ, every increase in the knowledge of God, as conferred that we might be more pleasurable to Christ." (CAC) This is the first of seven features (suggesting perfection and completeness) of her beauty in His eyes. As we read of them in the first five verses of this chapter let us remind ourselves that our external form was created by God perfect in all its parts and proportions. When "God created man in His own image" it cannot be doubted that the human form was designed in harmony with those inward spiritual and moral perfections which were a reflection of the Divine image. And so the Bridegroom’s commendations are linked with the various features of the maiden’s form. Her beautiful hair next comes into view: "THY HAIR," he says, "IS AS A FLOCK OF GOATS, THAT LIE ALONG THE SIDE OF MOUNT GILEAD." The hair of the goats of Gilead was luxuriant and had a beautiful sheen. If we read this in conjunction with the Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Cor.11:1‑5 it appears to symbolise the richness and beauty with which each saint recognises complete subjection to the head. The reference to goats carries our thoughts directly to the Tabernacle where the first covering was made of goats’ hair. Moreover in the Atonement Day sacrifices we see that "in this type of the two goats, both classes of those who covenant and become dead with Christ are represented…he who keeps his covenant and performs the sacrifice is typically represented in the Lord’s goat." (Tabernacle Shadows pages 60 & 61). Mount Gilead was renowned for its rich pasture and was within view of Jerusalem. Thus from the heavenly viewpoint we have here a picture "of the saints viewed collectively." 4:2 "THY TEETH ARE LIKE A FLOCK OF EWES THAT ARE NEWLY SHORN, WHICH ARE COME UP FROM THE WASHING; WHICH ARE ALL OF THEM IN PAIRS, AND NONE IS BEREAVED" (missing) "AMONG THEM." (mar.) Her teeth are thus compared to the whiteness of newly‑washed wool. In the first chapter of his prophecy Isaiah (v.18) tells of the Lord’s assurance that "although your sins be…red like crimson, they shall be as wool" for, as the Apostle Paul has reminded us, it was "not by works of righteousness...but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit," (Titus 3:5 KJV) or again in 1 Cor.6:11 "ye were washed, …ye were sanctified, …ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God." Her teeth represent her ability to take in spiritual food and their perfection emphasises that she was able to masticate solid food. This tells of her growing maturity "For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. But solid food is for fullgrown men." (Heb.5:13,14) 4:3 "THY LIPS ARE LIKE A THREAD OF SCARLET, AND THY MOUTH IS COMELY." We first read of a thread of scarlet in Joshua 2:18 where it was the symbol of Rahab’s salvation. The one all‑absorbing theme with the lambs of Christ’s flock is redeeming love: their words being all, as it were, dyed in the blood of the Lamb of God—their lips like a thread of scarlet. Thus in our testimonies and our prayers do we glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ? (Gal.6:14) "For I will give you," Jesus said "a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." (Luke 21:15 KJV) Whatever other graces we might possess, a harsh voice or foolish talk would mar the beauty of the sweetest lips. So it is with our spiritual lips for "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." (Luke 6:45) Those who love the Lord have a spiritual radiance–but seen only by Him and by those who share with them a close communion with Him. The Bridegroom draws this half‑hidden feature to our attention and tells of His nearness to the maiden in the words "THY TEMPLES" (cheeks) "ARE LIKE A PIECE OF POMEGRANATE BEHIND THY VEIL." "The most distinct evidences of vigorous spiritual life—the ruddy glow of the pomegranate on the cheeks—are ‘behind the veil’… The effect of grace would be to develop features that are a secret between our souls and the Lord…there is a good deal of correspondence between the features of the spouse as seen in the Song of Songs and the moral beauties of saints as described in the sermon on the mount." (CAC) In the first verse the Bridegroom speaks of her beauty but now He commends her for the spiritual radiance revealed in her features. Our love for the Lord can be beautiful but still a little pale and lifeless. If we have any doubt that this is so let us develop those spiritual exercises which make us glow like the maiden with a living, vital, love. If we "RUN with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus…" (Heb.12:1‑2)we shall bear the evidence of a vigorous spiritual life and reflect His beauty. *Reference to C.A. Coates An outline of the Song of Songs EEA/ LB To be continued |
