Matthew Henry Commentary Song of Solomon 8
Matthew Henry Commentary
Song of Solomon 8
Matthew Henry Commentary
Song of Solomon 8
"Oh that thou wert as my brother, That sucked the breasts of my mother! [When] I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; Yea, and none would despise me. I would lead thee, [and] bring thee into my mother`s house, Who would instruct me; I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine, Of the juice of my pomegranate. His left hand [should be] under my head, And his right hand should embrace me. I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, That ye stir not up, nor awake [my] love, Until he please." — Song of Solomon 8:1-4 (ASV)
The church wishes for the constant intimacy and freedom with the Lord Jesus that a sister has with a brother. That they might be as his brothers, which they are, when by grace they are made partakers of a Divine nature. Christ has become as our Brother; wherever we find him, let us be ready to acknowledge our relation to him, and affection for him, and not fear being despised for it.
Is there in us an ardent wish to serve Christ more and better? What then have we laid up in store to show our affection to the Beloved of our souls? What fruit leading to holiness?
The church charges all her children that they never provoke Christ to withdraw. We should reason with ourselves when tempted to do what would grieve the Spirit.
"Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, Leaning upon her beloved? Under the apple-tree I awakened thee: There thy mother was in travail with thee, There was she in travail that brought thee forth. Set me as a seal upon thy heart, As a seal upon thine arm: For love is strong as death; Jealousy is cruel as Sheol; The flashes thereof are flashes of fire, A very flame of Jehovah. Many waters cannot quench love, Neither can floods drown it: If a man would give all the substance of his house for love, He would utterly be contemned." — Song of Solomon 8:5-7 (ASV)
The Jewish church came up from the wilderness, supported by Divine power and favor. The Christian church was raised from a low, desolate condition by the grace of Christ relied upon. Believers, by the power of grace, are brought up from the wilderness. A sinful state is a wilderness in which there is no true comfort; it is a wandering state, a state of want. There is no coming out of this wilderness but by leaning on Christ as our Beloved, by faith; not leaning on our own understanding, nor trusting in any righteousness of our own, but in the strength of him who is the Lord our Righteousness.
The words of the church to Christ which follow entreat an abiding place in his love and protection by his power: Set me as a seal upon thine heart; let me always have a place in your heart; let me have an impression of love upon your heart. Of this the soul would be assured, and without a sense of it, no rest is to be found. Those who truly love Christ are jealous of everything that would draw them from him, especially of themselves, lest they do anything to provoke him to withdraw from them.
If we love Christ, the fear of coming short of his love, or the temptations to forsake him, will be most painful to us. No waters can quench Christ's love to us, nor any floods drown it. Let nothing diminish our love for him. Nor will life, and all its comforts, entice a believer from loving Christ. Love of Christ, will enable us to repel and triumph over temptations from the smiles of the world, as well as from its frowns.
"We have a little sister, And she hath no breasts: What shall we do for our sister In the day when she shall be spoken for? If she be a wall, We will build upon her a turret of silver: And if she be a door, We will inclose her with boards of cedar. I am a wall, and my breasts like the towers [thereof] Then was I in his eyes as one that found peace. Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; He let out the vineyard unto keepers; Every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand [pieces] of silver. My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: Thou, O Solomon, shalt have the thousand, And those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred." — Song of Solomon 8:8-12 (ASV)
The church pleads for the Gentiles, who at that time did not have the word of God, nor the means of grace. Those who are brought to Christ themselves should consider what they can do to help others to Him. Babes in Christ are always seen among Christians, and the welfare of their weak fellow believers is an object of continual prayer with the stronger believers.
If the beginning of this work were compared to a wall built upon Him, the precious Foundation and Corner-stone, then the Gentile church would become like a palace for the great King, built of solid silver. If the first preaching of the gospel were like the making of a door through the wall of partition, that door should be lasting, as if cased with boards of durable cedar. She will be carefully and effectually protected, enclosed so as to receive no damage.
The church is full of care for those not yet called. Christ says, "I will do all that is necessary to be done for them." Consider with what satisfaction we should look back upon the times and seasons when we were in His eyes as those that find favour. Our hearts are our vineyards, which we must keep with all diligence.
To Christ, and to His praise, all our fruits must be dedicated. All who work for Christ, work for themselves, and will be immeasurable gainers by it.
Song of Solomon 8:13–14 These verses close the conference between Christ and His church. He first addresses her as dwelling in the gardens, the assemblies and ordinances of His saints. He exhorts her to be constant and frequent in prayers, supplications, and praises, in which He delights. She replies, craving His speedy return to take her to be wholly with Him.
The heavens, those high mountains of sweet spices, must contain Christ until the time comes when every eye shall see him, in all the glory of the better world. True believers, just as they are looking for it, are also hastening to the coming of that day of the Lord. Let every Christian endeavour to perform the duties of their station, that people may see their good works and glorify their heavenly Father.
If we continue earnest in prayer for what we need, our thanksgivings will abound, and our joy will be full; our souls will be enriched, and our labours will be prospered. We will be enabled to look forward to death and judgment without fear. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
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