Chapter 2 verses 8 to 13. In these verses the young Bride of the Song of Solomon seems to be remembering three things with regards to her Beloved: –
The setting of the verses seems to be the "winter house" of the Bride to which the Beloved seems to have once gone and roused-up the young Bride, calling her out of her winter house, because, as he says in verse 11, "the winter is past, the rain is over and gone."
Again, the notes that the song rings out are sweet to the believer's ear. Everyone of us by nature was born into the winter house of sin, and unbelief, and rebellion against our God in heaven. But well may we remember the time when we heard "the voice of our beloved", and when there was – an awakening by him. "Behold he cometh," says the young Bride in verse 8, "leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills." And it was "the mountains of Bether" – the mountains of separation – that lay between the Beloved and the young Bride whom he had then set his heart upon. But not even those mountains of separation would keep him from her, and he overcame every obstacle that lay in his path. Dwell long on that truth, believer! Between the Saviour and His Church, of which you are a member by grace, there lay a whole range of separating mountains; and towering high above all others stood that peak of Divine Justice that must fall upon every one of us and grind us to powder. But, "Who art thou, O great mountain: before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain." And that mountain of Divine Justice was laid low by our heavenly Zerubbabel as He overcame it, so that we might hear His voice awakening us to all His wondrous works.
And there was – a consideration of him. As the Beloved drew near, first on the mountains, and then on the hills in verse 8; then at the wall, and looking through the windows, and showing himself at the lattice in verse 9, the young Bride had full opportunity to consider him who had come to call her to himself. And how good a thing it is for awakened sinners to well-consider the One who has awakened them. How ready they will then be to hear – the invitation from him: "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone." "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."
This Page Title – Sweet Notes from the Song of Songs (part 6) The Wicket Gate Magazine "A Continuing Witness". Internet Edition number 62 – placed on line September 2006 Wicket Gate contact address – Mr Cliff Westcombe cw@wicketgate.co.uk If you wish to be notified when each new edition goes on line please send an e-mail to the above address Magazine web address – www.wicketgate.co.uk |