J. E.
Ans. The spouse in the song of Solomon is the believing remnant of the Jews. John Baptist speaks of them in John 3:2929He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. (John 3:29). The Church of God, the body and bride of Christ, is not seen in the Old Testament, except in types and figures. It was hid in God in His purposes, and revealed to Paul and to others through him (Eph. 3:3-93How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (Ephesians 3:3‑9)).
It is quite right for us to use the language of this book as far as it would fit into our heavenly position. The bridegroom's delight in the bride, beautifully expresses the love of Christ to His redeemed ones, but we find in her, and in ourselves, coldness and carelessness that need to be dealt with, so the trials come because there is the "needs be" (1 Peter 1:66Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: (1 Peter 1:6)).
In this fourth verse she is compared to a garden enclosed, a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. There was the sad necessity for the north wind of adversity, and also the south wind to blow upon His garden, to get the sweetness and perfume of the spices He had endowed her with to flow out.
Then she says, "Let my Beloved come into His garden, and eat His pleasant fruits." It is easy to see in this His dealings of love with us to bring us into and to keep us, in communion with Himself.
Ans. This is a lesson on discipleship,-that is, on following Christ. Salvation is ours through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; only these could be true disciples; others who would turn away from the Lord deliberately, and walked no more with Him, were those who were not born again (See John 2:23-25; 6:66-7123Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 24But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. (John 2:23‑25)
66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. 70Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve. (John 6:66‑71)).
One that is born again has eternal life, and eternally saved through the finished work of the Lord Jesus.
(John 5:24; 10:28, 2924Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)
28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:28‑29); Eph. 2:88For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8); Heb. 10:1414For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)). Now real believers fail in their conduct, while their standing in Christ is ever the same (Rom. 8:11There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)).
We may be sure, if one really follows Christ, he will not neglect his home duties, nor any responsibility he has. Christ must be first. "To me to live is Christ." Phil. 1:2121For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21).
In Luke 9:5757And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. (Luke 9:57) to 62 we have another lesson added to the two given in Matthew. "Another also said, Lord, I will follow Thee; but let me first go and bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.”
This man also put others before Christ; he must pay attention to his friends first with a show of zeal.
The selfishness of our hearts makes us think, if we follow Christ, and put His honor first, that we shall lose our comfort, our character, and our connections; while in reality we lose nothing, for the Lord looks after our comforts with countless mercies day by day, and our sharing His rejection, brings, with the reproach, a joy in communion with Him that gladdens and strengthens our hearts.
So with our character, God looks after that. We just need to do what He bids us, and those dependent upon us will not suffer either, nor will we fail in our affection to our relatives. Obedience to the Lord takes all these in.
Well we may lose some of our friends and connections for Christ's sake, but our true friends, will be those who seek to follow the same blessed Savior.
Ans. It refers to Noah preaching by the Spirit of Christ to the antideluvians, who are now in prison because they did not believe Him. Christ Himself did not do the preaching; there was no preaching in the prison (chapter 4:6); the gospel was preached while they were living to them that are dead.
Ans. The Holy Spirit dwelling in the believer gives power and discernment to try the spirits, and thus judge what would dishonor the person of Christ as come in flesh. The Holy Spirit is the anointing, the seal, and the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts (2 Cor. 1:21, 2221Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1:21‑22)).