Song Of Solomon 1:8 - Homilies By S. Conway

How to find God.

The daughters of Jerusalem—the inmates of Solomon's harem—who scornfully addressed these words to the faithful girl who was mourning after her beloved, never meant to utter a great spiritual truth when they thus spoke; any more than Caiaphas did when he said, "It is expedient that one man die for the people." The doctrine of the atonement is in that Caiaphas-speech; and so, sacred suggestions for souls that seek their Lord are found in these words of Jerusalem's daughters. The parallel passage, or comment on this verse, is Hebrews 11:12 , "Be ye followers of them who through faith," etc. Now, it is suggested by this verse that if we would find God—

I. WE MUST GO FORTH . (Cf. Hebrews 13:13 , "Let us go forth unto him," etc.) We cannot stay

II. OUR WAY MUST BE THE WAY OF THE LORD 'S TRUE PEOPLE . We must go by "the footsteps of the flock." As to who the flock are, cf. John 10:1-42 . They are the true sheep of Christ; those whom he calls "my sheep." They consist not of those who are indifferent, still less strangers, and, least of all, hostile to him; but of those who have followed him, and do follow him "whithersoever he goeth." It is good, oftentimes, when we are in doubt as to what we should do, to ask ourselves what some sincere follower of Christ whom we have known would have done in like circumstances. Such people leave footprints, and they are clearly discernible, and if we track them we shall come where they are.

III. WE MUST FEED OUR SOULS UPON THE WORDS OF THE LORD 'S SHEPHERDS . (Cf. Hebrews 13:7 , "Remember those who have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the Word of God," etc.) Such words are spoken in the Scriptures, and from many a Christian pulpit, and they who seek the Lord have ever found strength and help in the preaching of the Lord's true pastors. It is easy to joke and jibe at the pulpit, and to say it is time that it were put away amidst old lumber; but let the pulpit be filled by a real Christ-given pastor, the words that are uttered from it shall still feed the flock of God. But especially let us feed upon the Word of him who is "the good Shepherd." We shall newer find him whom we seek unless we obey these counsels.

IV. THOSE WHO WOULD THUS FIND HIM ARE VERY DEAR TO HIM . The speaker had addressed him as "thou whom my soul loveth," and now he addresses her as the "fairest among women." She had said of herself, "I am black," but he says to her, "Thou fairest," etc. All this suggests what so many Scriptures teach as to the children of God being "beautiful" in his sight, and as to his rejoicing over them.—S.C.

Verse 1:9-2:7

Love assailed, but steadfast.

According to the interpretation we have taken of this poem, Solomon is here introduced as endeavouring to win the maiden's consent to become his wife by flatteries and promises of rich gifts of jewels and adornments; but he altogether fails. The above-named subject is therefore suggested. Note, therefore—

I. LOVE ASSAILED .

1 . By flatteries. Solomon compares her to whom he is speaking to the "horses of Pharaoh's chariot." This comparison is not so coarse as it sounds. It was not unusual amongst the ancients to compare beautiful women to splendid horses (cf. Exposition). The ideas intended are those of grace in form and movement, courage, generosity, rare beauty. Then ( Song of Solomon 2:15 ) he tells her that her eyes are like "doves' eyes." Then (So Song of Solomon 2:2 ) he disparages all other women in comparison with her. They are as thorns, whilst she is amongst them as the lily. All this is just such flattery as Solomon may be well conceived as employing. And it suggests how the soul affianced in God is often assailed. The world seeks to flatter it, that so it may be the more readily bent to evil. What is the self-satisfaction, the pride, the serene content with itself, in which many souls are weak, but just the effects of the world's flatteries? Satan suggests them to the soul, and his servants repeat them continually, and his victims believe them. Flattery, what harm has it not wrought? So seductive, so powerful, so ruinous always when listened to. If we believe what the world, the flesh, and the devil whisper to us about ourselves and our own excellences, such as they are, we shall never think we need the grace of God, or, if for a while we have thought so, we shall soon give up such thoughts altogether.

2 . By promises that the world makes of its pomps, adornments, and wealth. So Solomon here tries to win her to whom he speaks. "Rows of jewels," for headdress, strings of pearls for her neck, gold chains studded with silver ( Song of Solomon 2:10 , Song of Solomon 2:11 ). Such gewgaws and finery would he give her. Homer tells ('Odyssey,' lib. 15.) how attractive and tempting such things are—

"A man of theirs, subtle and shrewd, produced

A splendid collar, gold with amber strung.

With deep delight my mother and her maids

Gazed on it."

And thus Solomon appealed to the natural love of adornment in a young maiden all unused to such rich presents. How many a woman's heart has been won by them! how the love of them has made many a home miserable by the extravagance to which they have been the temptation! how many a fair character has been blasted and lives ruined by their deceitful glitter! And are not such facts parables of one of the chief temptations of the soul, whereby it is sought to seduce it from God? Jewels and pearls and gold, how they flash and sparkle] how they dazzle and delight poor human nature! Types are they of more terrible things still—the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, for the sake of which all too many men are only too ready to sell their souls. How Moses was tempted by them! How brilliant was the career offered him! he, the cast out child of a slave, to be adopted into the house and family, the possessions and honours, of the imperial dynasty, the Pharaohs of Egypt! How our Lord was tempted in like manner! "All these things"—all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them—"will I give thee if," etc.

II. LOVE STEADFAST . Solomon did not prevail with her whom he tried to win. All his flatteries and fineries failed. Not one word such as the royal tempter would fain have heard did she address to him, though many to her absent beloved. As showing her steadfastness, note here:

1 . How at once her heart turns to him she loved. ( Song of Solomon 2:12 .) The king has left her alone, has gone to his banquet. At once the sweet memories of her beloved fill her soul as with the fragrance of myrrh ( Song of Solomon 2:13 ). "While the king is in his circle, my spikenard sendeth forth," etc. Her heart is always perfumed with these memories, and is bright therewith as well as fragrant, as with fair flowers and myrrh.

2 . See, too, how she transfers all praise from herself to him. The king had told her she was fair ( Song of Solomon 2:15 ). Her thoughts fly away to him whom she loves, and she gives the praise to him ( Song of Solomon 2:16 ).

3 . And her love consecrates all the scenes where she has been with him. The soft green turf ( Song of Solomon 2:16 ), on which they had cast themselves down beneath the cedars and fir trees, whose branches over them were as the beams and rafters of a house.

4 . And makes her think all lowlily of herself but very loftily of him. She is—so she says—but as a common field flower (cf. So Song of Solomon 2:1 ), just nothing at all. But he, her beloved, was as the citron tree, fragrant, stately, fruitful, affording refreshing shade ( Song of Solomon 2:3 ). Travellers tell of the beauty of this tree. And amid the leafy arcades of the vine, and beneath its o'erarching branches, she had loved to linger with him ( Song of Solomon 2:4 ); for with him, because of his dear love for her, she was safe as if under the protection of an army, following the banners of a mighty chief.

5 . And these are ever the effects of a steadfast love. "Not I, but the grace of God which was in me:" so does Paul transfer praise from himself to God. Places where fellowship with Christ have been enjoyed are consecrated by that fact. And love is lowly. "Less than the least of all saints:" so speaks Paul of himself. But of Christ, what does he not say of him? What is not Christ to him, and all such? Fruit, and shade, and safeguard sure.

III. THE SECRET OF ALL THIS . The heart possessed by the love of Christ. There is no other antidote that will serve as does this against the flatteries and the bribes of the world. Nothing else will make us so deaf to its appeals, so blind to all its blandishments.

"Lord, let thy fear within us dwell,

Thy love our footsteps guide;

That love shall all vain love expel,

That fear all fear beside."

S.C.