Vers. 12-14. “A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices.” A few moments’ meditation on the physical position and character of the land of Israel, will greatly help to the understanding of these beautiful, and instructive comparisons. In the center of the habitable world, the promised land is said to be situated. A chosen spot of great natural beauty and fruitfulness. It is also important to observe, that the locality of the Jews is not the result of accident, but of divine arrangement. Hundreds of years before Israel had any national existence, “the Most High,” in marking off the boundary lines of the different nations of the earth, reserved for His chosen people this central place.
The following passage clearly proves this important point. “When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. For the Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.” (Deut. 32:8, 98When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. 9For the Lord's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. (Deuteronomy 32:8‑9).) Much maybe gathered from this interesting truth, as to the place which Israel occupies in the thoughts and purposes of God. This central spot has already been the scene of events, far surpassing all others in their importance and results; and it shall yet be the scene of events, for which the heavens and the earth are waiting, and to which all scripture points. The prediction which appears only as a bud in Eden, shall be displayed in its full blown glories in the promised land.
Through the failure of Israel, the land, we know, is now lying waste. It presents anything but the idea of a center; it is trodden under foot of the Gentiles; but though it has long been like a wilderness, and the shadow of death, it will not always be so. The Lord of that land is, at present, absent; He has gone to the “far country;” but He will return, and take possession of His own. (Luke 19) “The land is mine,” saith the Lord; and, according to His original intention, it will become, in due time, the center of all nations — the glory of all lands — the praise of all people; and His beloved Jerusalem shall be the metropolis of the whole earth, and the center of blessing to all who dwell therein. The royal banner shall then float over its bulwarks, as the certain token that the “Nobleman” has returned — that the King of Nations is there.
From the top of Pisgah, Moses was privileged to see this goodly land before he died. The Lord Himself showed it unto His servant Moses. What grace! What condescension! What an honor conferred on Moses! “I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.” (Deut. 34) He was permitted, before closing his eyes in death, to survey the future dwelling place of the Lord’s redeemed — to see its fertile valleys — its beautiful mountains — and its well-watered plains. In describing the country, under the guidance of the Spirit, he says, “For the Lord thy God bringeth thee unto a good land, a land of brooks, of waters, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil, olive, and honey; a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack anything in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.” Deut. 8:7, 8, 97For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; 8A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; 9A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. (Deuteronomy 8:7‑9).
From the rich and varied productions of the Holy Land, the comparisons of our text seem to be drawn. The spouse of the Lord is here likened to a “garden,” an “orchard,” a fountain;” so replenished is she with all that is pleasant and fruitful to Him — so varied are the graces of the Holy Spirit in her — there is abundance for the heart of her Lord. “Spikenard and saffron: calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices.” What a truth for thy meditations, Ο my soul; ponder it well! Look at its different parts. The “garden,” may be celebrated for its choice collection of flowers— aromatic shrubs — and all pleasant plants. The “orchard,” for all manner of trees, bearing precious fruit, and the “fountain,” that which irrigates the whole scene. Every leaf is bedewed and moistened from the living fountain of waters. What a breadth and depth of thought this should give us, of what the people of God ought to be for Him, in this world. Like the choicest of gardens, compared with the barren, “ waste howling wilderness,” should the people of the Lord be, in comparison with the people of the world. Well, how is it with thee, my soul? Is there freshness — growth — fruitfulness, in the things of the Lord? Can He come into the garden of thy heart, and eat His pleasant fruit? Known unto Him are all thy thoughts and ways.
But, further, observe, the delighted heart of the Bridegroom describes His spouse as “A garden enclosed — a spring shut up — a fountain sealed.” She is all, and only for Him. Her eyes wander not after another. She is perfectly content with her portion, in her Well-Beloved. Christ is enough. He is a complete covering to her eyes — the perfect filling up of her whole heart. No wishful, no inviting look is cast on any other. Contentment fills her soul. “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies.” The bloom — the fragrance — the fruit, are for Him, and Him alone. Her garden is closed against all others — the royal seal is affixed on the King’s fountain; the living waters spring for Him alone. “Know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself.” (Psalm 4:33But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him. (Psalm 4:3)) No stranger must be allowed to tamper with that on which the King’s seal is affixed.
“Nevertheless the foundation of the Lord standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity:” (2 Tim. 2:1919Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19).) “My son, give me thine heart,” is a fair demand. O, hearken, my soul, to the voice of wisdom. When this demand is complied with, we can have no heart for the world. No man has two hearts. Although, alas! we sometimes seem to have two. Let me watch against this. If the blessed Lord has my heart, I can have none for the world. A divided heart He cannot accept. Rather, let me say, Had I two, He should have them both.
The words “enclosed,” “shut up,” “sealed,” forcibly suggest the thought of the believer’s entire and well-defined separation from the world. Like a piece of ground that has been reclaimed from the common around; well fenced, well planted, well eared for; and kept for the owner’s especial use and pleasure. Though in the world, the Christian is not of the world. As Christ Himself says, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” He is there as the servant of Christ, and should learn to do all things for Him. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Col. 3:1717And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:17).) No matter what it is, from the smallest thing to the greatest, he is to do all as service to Christ. Will this be service to Christ? is the question. Not, merely, what harm is there in doing this or that? and then doing our own will in place of the Master’s.
The Apostle Paul could say, “For me to live is Christ.” As if he had said, “For me to live, is to have Christ as my motive, Christ as my object, Christ as my strength, and Christ as my reward.” This would be separation from the world, and yet rendering the best service possible in the world. When the eye is kept steadfastly fixed on the Person of the Beloved, the heart is kept full of Him — the conscience is clear —the judgment sound, and our service fruitful. The closer we are to the fountain-head ourselves, the surer we are to become the channels of blessing to others. Like the spring in the desert, or the river in the valley, it benefits the region around. “If any man thirst,” says Jesus, “let him come unto me and drink.” “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.”) John 7:37, 38, 3937In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:37‑39).
From the heart thus filled with Christ, through the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, a blessed testimony will be given to the risen and glorified Jesus. It should flow forth like “rivers of living water.” For this testimony the believer is responsible to his absent Lord. “He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (1 John 2:66He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:6).) Here we enter on the ground of true Christian responsibility. Being a Christian, I am responsible to walk as one. Not that I may become one, bless the Lord! but because I am one. What a mercy! we are not responsible to gain a place in the divine favor. The blessed Jesus has accomplished this. But being, through His precious blood, in the place of perfect favor— perfect peace, joy, and acceptance, we ought to walk according to the position in which grace has set us. Being a child of God, I ought to walk as a child of God. And being a servant, I ought to walk as a servant.
Our responsibility as men— as children of the first Adam — was perfectly met by our blessed Lord when He died for us; and now, all our responsibility flows from our relationship to Christ — the last Adam, risen and glorified. “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” (John 20:2121Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (John 20:21).) This commission, observe, was given by the risen Jesus to the disciples, not to the apostles only. And for this mission we must give an account to Him at last. Most solemn truth! But wholesome to be known, and borne in mind. “Every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Rom. 14:10-1210But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:10‑12).) It may be well to make two or three remarks here with reference to the judgment seat of Christ, as we have found many souls confused and troubled on this subject.
In the first place, the person of the believer can never come into judgment. He has “passed from death unto life.” (John 5:2424Verily, 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).) He is “justified from all things.” Christ was delivered for his offenses; and where are they? all gone, and gone forever. His name be praised. He was raised again for his justification; and what then? Being raised up together with Him, he is associated with a risen Christ, in His eternal life, and acceptance before God. “There is therefore, now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 4; 5; 8) The believer himself, then, can never be brought into judgment. Besides, when he appears before the tribunal of Christ, he will be in his body of glory. He shall then be like the blessed Lord Himself. “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” (Phil. 3:2121Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21).) How far, how very far, this glorious truth removes all thought of judgment, as to the person of the believer, I need not say. He is glorified before he is called to the judgment-seat, and knows well that he is a co-heir with Christ, and in the same glory with Him.
Secondly. The sins and iniquities of the Christian can never he brought into judgment. Christ has already borne their judgment on the cross, and put them all away forever by the sacrifice of Himself. There will be no second judgment of the believer’s sins. A full end has been made of all sins, confessed by as, and borne by Jesus. (Heb. 9, 1 John 1:99If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).) “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness, by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Pet. 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24).) So complete — so perfect, was the work of Christ on the cross, as the substitute of His people, that not the least question as to sin, was left unsettled. Every question was forever closed when He exclaimed “It is finished.” On the ground of this gloriously finished work, divine love meets the chief of sinners, in all the riches of the grace of God. And so great is this love towards the sinner, who pleads, before God, the name of Jesus, and trusts only to His precious blood, that not only are his sins and iniquities all forgiven, but they are said to be forgotten. “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” (Heb. 10) Such is the power — the potency of love, over all our sins, that they are gone from the recollection of Him who loves, and can never come into judgment.
Thirdly. But although neither the person, nor the sins and iniquities of the believer, are the subjects of the Lord’s judgment at that day; his works, as the Lord’s servant, must all be brought up before the tribunal of Christ. Hence the faithful word of warning by the Apostle, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:5858Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58).) He has been dwelling, at great length, on the resurrection of the body, now he touches on what may be called the resurrection of works. “Every man’s work shall be made manifest,; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is.” (1 Cor. 3; 4.) But this trial of the quality of our works, should not be thought of with fear and dread, but as one of our greatest privileges. Because then shall be fulfilled that precious word, “But then shall I know even as also I am known”
God is light, and God is love. He is all love — all light for His children. But His love will have them in the light as He is Himself. This will be perfect blessedness because we shall then be in the perfect light, as well as the perfect love of God. God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. Our new, our divine nature loves the light — delights in it. The least darkness would be an insupportable burden. To be in the light, is to be manifested, for light makes manifest. Nothing can be concealed there. And we would not, blessed be His name, have one moment of our history, with His tender, gracious dealings towards us, left in the dark. The heart shrinks from the very thought, notwithstanding all our own weakness, and naughtiness. “For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Cor. 5:1010For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10).) When the whole course of my life is manifested in the perfect light of God — of God in Christ, “Then shall I know even as also I am known.” My judgment of all that was good and bad, in that life, will be according to the perfect judgment of God.
All that has been done for Christ, as the fruit of His grace in us, shall be approved and rewarded by Him. That which has been done merely in the energy of nature, cannot be owned, but must now be consumed as “wood, hay, stubble.” All that has been produced by the Spirit of Christ in us, shall abide forever, as “gold, silver, precious stones.” (1 Cor. 3:10- 13; 410According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (1 Corinthians 3:10‑13)
10We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised. 11Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. (1 Corinthians 4:10‑13). 1-5.) Much self-denying — cross-bearing service, which has been gone through by many from the best of motives, but the means used un-sanctioned by scripture, shall then be analyzed with divine accuracy. All that the Lord can own as good He surely will, and abundantly reward. And many a holy purpose of the heart, which had for its object “the Lord’s glory, but which was never accomplished, shall then be brought to light, and have its full reward. The smallest service done for Him on earth, shall not be overlooked in that day. “For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily, I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” (Mark 9:4141For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. (Mark 9:41).) If A. has given one, and B. two cups of cold water, B. shall have a double reward. It will also be made manifest in that day, what it was that prevented us from doing more good, considering the light we had, the opportunities enjoyed, the grace bestowed, and the operations of the Holy Spirit in us. Nevertheless, each one will have the place prepared for him of the Father. But never till that moment shall we know how much we owe the blessed Lord. Then, but not till then, shall we know what He has been for us, and what He has had to bear from us. Then will be seen, in the true light of His presence, the love of that heart which ever rose above all our unworthiness, and manifested itself in patient grace, tender love, and unwearied goodness. And then, too, will be seen the ten thousand times ten thousand instances in which we sought, in the pride of our hearts, to please ourselves, exalt ourselves, make something of ourselves, in place of serving the Lord Jesus, exalting Him, and making Him our all in all.
The long-suffering, patient, tender love of Jesus in thus bearing with us for so many years, will be known and understood in all their perfection. And the sweet recollections of a love, far surpassing all others in tenderness, shall then fill our souls with the most perfect admiration, fervent adoration, and enraptured praises forever.
And not unknown, or forgotten in that day, will be His many — His miraculous interpositions on our behalf, and wondrous deliverances during our unconverted days. Many a time when Satan had beguiled us to the very brink of hell, and thought that another push would send us in; the mighty, loving, adorable Jesus, threw the arm we were despising around us — saved us — and gently led us back from its slippery edge. Oh! with what overflowing hearts shall we retire from this privileged scene — the tribunal of Christ! Oh! what material it will have supplied for the praises of heaven! Now we shall know the use of our golden harps. And the spring of joy which has been opened there, shall flow on, with ever deepening fullness, and freshness, throughout a long, bright, and happy eternity.
There are other two distinct sessional judgments spoken of in scripture, which it may be well just to notice, to prevent confusion. 1. The judgment of the living nations, “when the Son of Man shall come in his glory.” (Matt, 25. 31-46.) This takes place at the commencement of the millennium. 2. The judgment of the dead, before the “great white throne,” when heaven and earth flee away. (Rev. 20:11-1511And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11‑15).) This takes place at the close of the millennium, and is quite distinct from the judgment of the living nations, and from the judgment of the saints in heaven, before the tribunal of Christ. The notion of one general judgment of the righteous and the wicked, has not the sanction of scripture.