Song of Solomon 4:88Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards. (Song of Solomon 4:8). “Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards.” We may sometimes, in our thoughtless wanderings, be much nearer the “lions’ den” than we are aware of; yet wholly unconscious of our danger. Under the attractions of nature, may be concealed our deadliest foes. We associate with “Lebanon,” as a type, our highest thoughts of earthly exaltation. But there, that which is so fascinating to the outward eye, so charming to the senses, shelters the devouring lion, and the cruel leopard. Its very luxuriance and beauty afford a covert for the enemy. The traveler, delighted beyond measure with the gorgeous scenery of Lebanon and Herman, may be enticed to linger until it be too late to get safely to the plain. His danger thereby would be imminent, unless he had a good and faithful guide.
Here, Ο my soul, thou wilt do well to pause a little. Bear in mind, that the fairest scenes of earth are infested by enemies more subtle and dangerous than the lions and leopards of Lebanon. Ponder the paths of thy feet. What of thy proneness to wander, to linger amidst the attractions of the scene around? Learn to know thine own weakness — thine own tendencies. Some of the Lord’s people, thou mayest have observed, are drawn aside by conformity to the world; others, by reading books which fascinate the mind, but dry up the soul; and not a few, alas, are ensnared by following their own will, and the way that seems right in their own eyes. But they all alike lead to the “lions’ dens, the mountains of the leopards,” or, to scenes and occupations of imminent danger to the soul. There is one eye, and only one, that can detect the snare — one voice, and only one, that can withdraw the heart from the place of peril. “From the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon,” divine love would say, “ Look unto me.” Thus shall the world, as it were, underneath, and unseen, be under thy feet. “Amana,” observe, signifies truth, integrity. From truth’s point of view, keep looking for thy Lord’s return.
Nothing can be more beautiful and touching than the way the blessed Lord here seeks to call His Bride away from the scene of danger. “Come with me,” are His words of matchless tenderness. He does not say, “Go! make haste away, danger is near, thou art on the verge of the lions’ dens.” O, no, but, “Come!” “Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon.” He seeks to wean her heart away from Lebanon, the place of earthly delights, but of spiritual danger. What ineffable grace there is in the word “Come!” The whole sentence breathes the tenderest sympathies — the deepest solicitudes of His heart! How much sweeter to the ear is “Come,” than “Go,” There is fellowship in the one, there is separation in the other.
“Come thou and all thy house into the ark,” said the Lord to Noah. He did not say, “Go thou,” but “ Come thou.” The Lord, in grace, entered the ark before His servant, and being there, He could say “Come;” and in this way the man of faith was assured that the Lord was with him in the ark of salvation. What a comfort to know that the Lord is with us in the ship, however much it may be tossed by the troubled waters. But further, to the rebellious house of Israel he says, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord.” (Isa. 1:1818Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18).) Mark also the gracious manner of His reasoning. When the invitation “Come” is obeyed, He puzzles them not with arguments, but sweetly says, “ though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow: though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Blessed way of reasoning for a guilty sinner! only the Lord can reason thus. The same grace, blessed be His name, we have displayed to the whole world, in that word of widest invitation: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” No sooner is the word here proclaimed, believed, than the rest is secured. “I will give you rest” — rest from the burden of sin — rest from your own fruitless efforts — rest with myself in the paradise of God. Blessed Lord! would that that precious “Come” were more appreciated by those still at a distance! But the glory and the praise of the grace is thine. Once more: who has failed to admire the beautiful wind up of holy scripture with its many “Comes?” “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17).
But there are other two words in the Bridegroom’s loving call, from which the heart may drink in the deepest joy. “With me.” “Come with me.” “Could words possibly be found, better fitted to remove fear, and to fill the heart with confidence, whatever the circumstances might be? Impossible! If we have heard the lion’s roar, and know that he is near, we may well be filled with alarm; for what power have we, in ourselves, to resist him? But these three words of matchless grace, “Come with me” contain everything that the heart needs. With Him she is perfectly safe, however extensive the range of mountains over which she has to pass, and whatever the danger may be. But mere escape from the lions’ den, is the very least mercy these three words unfold. They express the delight He has in her company. Her presence is His joy. Wondrous— blessed truth! This is the richest thought of all. His delight in us; His desire to have us with Himself! Not, of course, that He is dependent on, or indebted to, the creature for His supreme delight, for He is God as well as man, and suffices for Himself. He is the independent — eternal, living One; the Jehovah Jesus. But, as Son of Man, in wondrous grace and love, He has made us necessary to the full display of His glory, and His eternal delight. The Church, which is His body, is His fullness. (Eph. 1:22, 2322And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:22‑23).) And to the daughter of Zion He also says, “Hearken, Ο daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house: so shall the King greatly desire thy beauty; for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.” Psalm 45:10, 1110Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; 11So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him. (Psalm 45:10‑11).
This beautiful passage will he brought home to the heart of the spouse — the Jewish remnant — in divine power, when the Lord returns. He is seeking here, to turn away their thoughts and sympathies from the old Jewish order of things, “the father’s house,” that they may be entirely conformed to the new order of things under the Messiah in His kingly glory. Israel’s blessing will be on the earth, in Immanuel’s land.
The Spirit of God has taken such pains to unfold this precious truth, “with Christ,” that it may well invite thy meditations for a little while. It is established in the changeless purpose of God, and runs like a golden thread through every circumstance. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things.” (Rom. 8:3232He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32).) What a thought! “All things......with Christ” — in fellowship with Him. Health or sickness — poverty or riches, I am in each state with Him; and have Him in each state. According to the Apostle’s reasoning, the greater includes the lesser, and the lesser is possessed and enjoyed with the greater.
Should the Christian be so reduced in circumstances, as that a dry crust and a cup of cold water were his richest repast, yet he could triumphantly say, such as it is, I have it with Christ, and Christ with it. From the lowest condition on earth to the highest pinnacle in glory, we have all with Christ, and our richest blessing is to be one with Him. So wondrous — so real — so perfect, is our oneness with Christ, the Church’s head, that the Apostle says, “I am crucified with Christ.” And of all Christians he says, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him.” And in different parts of scripture, he speaks of it under seven distinct aspects, which gives us the idea of divine completeness. 1. We are crucified together. 2. Quickened together. 3. Raised up together. 4. Seated together. 5. Heirs together, 6. Sufferers together. 7. Glorified together. And so precious to the heart of Jesus, is this oneness, or identity of the Church with Himself, that in each place where our future state is spoken of in scripture, it is defined as being with Christ. “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.” “Having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better.” “And so shall we ever be with the Lord.” “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Amen! This is rest, perfect rest, to the heart forever. Refreshed, as if bathed in the ocean of His shoreless love; return to thy meditations on the beautiful Song of Songs, yet still to dwell on the volume of His heart, which only loves.
“Thy best repose on earth, is broken still;
Thy “Lebanon” invaded and disturbed
By leopard-spotted, watching enemies,
By roaring lions seeking to destroy;
But come with Me in communings divine,
And I will lead thee where destroying beast,
Nor noisome adversary can approach,
Where My redeemed, with everlasting songs
Triumphantly rejoicing, wave their palms
Of blood-bought victory around thy throne
In bliss unspeakable — where sin is not,
Nor death, nor change, nor anything but joy.
My spouse, My purchased, from Amana look.
From Shenir and from Hermon look afar!
Fixed on the basis of the promises,
Be ever gazing on Thy glorious rest.”