The Song of Solomon 4
ONE is impressed with the thought that this chapter answers to the promise in Isaiah 53:11,
“He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied.”
That Scripture cannot be fulfilled in its entirety until, not only the Church and other heavenly saints, but the earthly saints, Israel and saved Gentiles (Revelation 15:2-4; Matthew 25:31-40, 46; Micah 4:1-6, etc.) are brought into the full blessing designed for them by God, and won for them by Christ’s atoning death.
The desire of the Bridegroom (chapter 2:14) was to see the face of His chosen; chapter 4 shows, in prospect, the fulfilment of that desire. Seven (the number of spiritual completeness in Scripture) things about the earthly bride are noted in speaking of her beauty in His sight. May we be able to grasp their spiritual meaning.
Eyes like a dove surely suggest that the character represented by the dove in Scripture is to be seen in these Jewish believers—the clean dove finds no rest amid the corruption in which the unclean raven is at home (Gen. 8). Christ’s words to His disciples were, “Be ye ... .harmless (guileless) as doves.” Matthew 10:16. In Leviticus the dove or pigeon is mentioned repeatedly as acceptable to God as an offering for sin under the law, and Matthew, Mark, Luke and John record the Holy Spirit’s descending upon Christ at His baptism as like a dove.
Hair as a flock of goats on the slopes of Mount Gilead is believed to refer to the long hair of the Nazarites (Numbers 6), separated to God from the attractions of the world.
Teeth (verse 2) like a flock of shorn sheep, etc., the context appears to show, tell of purity within in full measure. (How different from Acts 7:54).
Lips and speech (verse 3) are fashioned anew for His praise.
The temples (upper cheeks) as a piece of a pomegranate, may refer to fruitfulness, which the pomegranate represents in Scripture. May we not then connect verse 3 with Ephesians 5: 19, 20, and Colossians 3:16?
Neck like the tower of David (verse 4) speaks of security with God against the power of Satan (see 1 Peter 1:5).
The breasts like roes (fawns of a gazelle) which feed among the lilies, tell of affection for the Lord, and toward His people who are the lilies (chapter 2:1, 2, 16. See 1 John 5:1).
Beloved Christian reader, have we all of these seven characteristics in full display?
The Bridegroom waits until the day dawns, and the shadows dee away (verse 6). Then will He come to the help of His people who will be waiting for Him. Meanwhile He abides where the prayers and praises of the saints are incense (Revelation 5:9). There He has gone in the virtue and power of His work on the cross, and in the fragrance (see Psalm 45:8 and Exodus 30:34-38) of His matchless life and God glorifying, sin-atoning death.
Verse 7 is a fresh call to the bride. Her bridegroom a second time tells her she is all fair, all beautiful, and adds, “and there is no spot in thee.” Most comforting to the troubled Jewish saints will these words be when they are in the lions’ dens, and the mountains of the leopards—apt figures for the fearful persecution which the believing Jews will experience (Matthew 24:9-22).
He bids the bride come with Him from Lebanon, the range of mountains near the Mediterranean sea north of Palestine, to look from the top of Amana (believed to be one of the northern peaks of the range east of the Lebanon), from the top of Senir (apparently to the south of Amana and one of the lesser peaks of Hermon), and from Hermon, the continually snow clad mountain which far exceeds in height (9,381 feet above the sea) all other mountains of the Holy Land. All these heights are in the north, near and beyond Damascus. (See Deuteronomy 34:1-6 where Moses viewed the land from the east, though he could not enter it).
Space prevents our consideration here of verses 9 to 15, the outpouring of the love of Christ for His people, the Jews, who will be converted at last. The language is figurative, yet the land of Israel, when blessed in the Millennium will be the most fertile land in the world.
The bride answers in verse 16, in language which we believe refers, in the north wind and south wind to the Holy Spirit without Whom the “garden’s spices” would not “flow forth.” She invites her Beloved to come into His garden and eat its precious fruits, and the next chapter brings Him there.
ML 02/12/1933