Song of Songs 8:5<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Who is this that comes up from the wilderness, leaning on her Beloved?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is an intimate and mysterious union between Christ and his redeemed Church. It is often compared, in Scripture, to a marriage union; and in the book before us, the Song of Solomon, there is a figurative representation of the fellowship which exists between Christ and his redeemed Church under this relation. A third description of people called “the daughters of Jerusalem,” are occasionally introduced, to diversify the dialogue, and to enliven it by bearing their part in it. The words of the text seem to be uttered by them. The redeemed Church had, in the four preceding verses, expressed her desire after more familiar and abiding fellowship with her divine Husband; and the bystanders, admiring and felicitating her state, exclaim “Who is this that comes up from the wilderness, leaning on her Beloved?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I. I will endeavor to throw light upon the words thus addressed to the redeemed Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There does not, indeed, appear any considerable difficulty in them; especially if we bear in mind the passage of the Israelites through the wilderness to the land of Canaan. This world may fitly be represented as “a wilderness”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That through which the Israelites passed is called:
“a waste howling wilderness, Deuteronomy 32:10;”
“a land of deserts and of pits, a land of drought and of the shadow of death, Jeremiah 2:6;”
a land “wherein were fiery serpents and scorpions; and drought, where there was no water, Deuteronomy 8:15.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And such, indeed, is this vain world to the weary pilgrim. It affords nothing for the comfort and refreshment of a heavy-laden soul; but furnishes:
obstructions without number,
snares at every step, and
enemies filled with the most envenomed hostility!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through this wilderness world, the Christian is passing in his way to Heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He has, of necessity, his duties to perform, like other men. But “though in the world, he is not of the world, John 17:6.” He does not regard this world as his rest; but merely as a country through which he must go, towards “that better country which he is seeking after.” He accounts himself a “pilgrim and a stranger upon earth, Hebrews 11:13;” and advances on his journey with all practical expedition, “not setting his affections on anything along the way, Colossians 3:2,” but looking forward to the termination of his labors in the eternal world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While traveling through this wilderness world, “he leans upon his beloved” Savior for support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He feels his insufficiency for the work he has to perform; but “he knows in whom he has believed, that he is able to sustain him, and to keep that which he has committed to him, 2 Timothy 1:12.” No sick or enfeebled traveler places a more entire dependence on one who has undertaken to bear him onward, than the Christian does on Christ, who has engaged to perform this office, saying, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you! Isaiah 46:4.” He would account it a most heinous offence if for a moment he should “trust to an arm of flesh, Jeremiah 17:5;” and with a holy indignation at the thought of placing any confidence in the creature, he says, “Ashur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses; neither will we say any more to the work of our hands: You are our gods; for in you the fatherless finds mercy! Hosea 14:3.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a word, the whole habit of the Christian’s mind, throughout this dreary wilderness, is that which the holy Psalmist addressed to his Lord and Savior, “Hold up my goings in your paths, that my footsteps do not slip!” “Hold me up, and I shall be safe!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
II. Next, I will endeavor to point out more particularly the force of the interrogation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I should say, that, in its strictest sense, it appears to express admiration; but we may very properly consider it as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. The language of inquiry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Who is this?” Is there, among ourselves, anyone answering to this character?
Ask yourselves, “Am I this blessed person?”
Do I so live in this world, that others notice the peculiarity of my walk, and my entire devotion to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
Do I, instead of loving the world, account it a dreary wilderness?
Do I renounce all the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh?
“Am I daily dying unto the world”\u2014to its cares, its pleasures, its maxims, its habits, its friendship?
Am I “crucified unto the world, and is the world crucified unto me by the cross of Christ,” so that I value it no more than a man does who is in the very throes of death? Galatians 6:14
In my passage through this wilderness, am I leaning constantly on my beloved Savior, saying, “In the Lord I have righteousness and strength!” Isaiah 45:24<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is, indeed, the character of the true Christian; and we are commanded to “examine ourselves, whether we are in the faith, and to prove our own selves 2 Corinthians 13:5.” I would entreat you, therefore, to make this a subject of most serious inquiry; and to ask yourselves, “Am I the person characterized in the words of our text?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. The language of admiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This I suppose to be the more immediate feeling expressed in my text. And truly a person so circumstanced as the Bride here was, is one of the greatest wonders upon earth. Conceive yourselves to be that person:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
that such an earthly and sensual creature, as every one of you must know yourselves to be, should so renounce the world!
that such a polluted creature should enjoy such intimacy with the Lord of Glory!
that such a weak creature should persevere, in despite of so many obstacles both within and without!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
May not such a one well say, “I am a wonder unto many! Psalm 71:7.” Must he not, above all, be a wonder to himself? “Who am I that I should be so honored; while the world at large are left to walk after the imaginations of their own evil hearts, and to “live as without God in the world!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. The language of commendation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No man in the universe is so to be encouraged, as he who dies to the world, and seeks all his happiness in Christ. Think with yourselves from what imminent danger he has escaped. “The whole world is lying in wickedness! 1 John 5:19,” and will be condemned at last! 1 Corinthians 11:32. But “he has been taken out of the world, John 15:19,” and been delivered from it, even as Lot from Sodom. Is not he a fit object for encouragement?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But consider, further, to what a glorious place he is hastening; even to Heaven itself, where he shall speedily possess “an unfading, incorruptible and undefiled inheritance! 1 Peter 1:4.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Behold, too, to what a blessed company he is joined! “He is come to an innumerable company of angels; and to the general assembly and Church of the first-born, which are written in Heaven; and to God, the Judge of all; and to the spirits of just men made perfect; and to Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant; and to all these, as his everlasting companions.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think, also, how near he is to all this felicity, every day and hour bearing him towards it, as fast as the wings of time can carry him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And above all, what an all-sufficient support the true Christian has in this barren and howling wilderness! His ever-present Savior shields him and cares for him; and guards him as the apple of his eye! His beloved Lord Jesus, “is able to keep him from falling, and to present him faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy!” Jude verse 24<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tell me, Who is happy in comparison with him? Who is to be commended, if he is not?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is there here a weak believer, who doubts whether such a one as he can ever attain this blessedness?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let him trust in Christ, and not be afraid; for none ever perished, who trusted in Him. As for a man’s own weakness and insufficiency, that can be no bar to his attainment of this felicity; since the Lord Jesus Christ is “able to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by him! Hebrews 7:25;” and he has expressly told us, that “he will carry the lambs in his bosom, and gently lead those who are with young Isaiah 40:11.” Only take care that he is for you; and then you may hurl defiance at all that are against you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But is there any backslider that is turning back to the world?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
O, think what you are doing; and what tremendous evils you are bringing upon your soul! What has this vain world ever done for you, that it should influence you by its attractions? And what has Christ not done for you, while you sought him, and relied upon him! Hear his complaint against you, “Have I been a wilderness unto Israel\u2014a land of darkness! Why do my people say, We are lords; we will come no more unto you Jeremiah 2:31.” The world has been a wilderness to you, at all times; but has Christ been so? Has he been so at any moment, when you sought your happiness in him? Hear, and tremble at the warning given to you by an inspired Apostle, “If, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome (a case that too frequently occurs), the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them! 2 Peter 2:20-21.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is there one in such an unhappy state as this? “Who is he?” Let every one inquire, “Lord, is it I?” And whoever he may be, let us all regard him as an object of the deepest commiseration. May the Lord awaken all such before it is too late!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charles Simeon<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Song of Songs 8:5 “Who is this that comes up from the wilderness, leaning on her Beloved?” There is an intimate and mysterious union between Christ and his redeemed Church. It is often compared, in Scripture, to a marriage union; … Continue reading