Song of Solomon 1:17

The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.

The same thought is pursued in this verse, as in the former. The house is said to be their joint-property; and the parts of it are described under images suited to the Eastern manner, of the best and most durable materials. And whether we consider the house here spoken of, to mean the Church above, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens: or the house Christ himself hath builded, which is his Church; and which house (as the Apostle said)) are we - the sense is the same. Everything in Christ, and of Christ, is firm, sure, and everlasting; and from the union and oneness between Christ and his Church, all that belongs to Him as Mediator is the property of his Church. Believers have communion with his Person, his name, his righteousness: - all he is, he is for his people; all he hath wrought, is for them; all he is now engaged in is for them; all he is gone to take possession of; is for them, and in their name. Oh! the preciousness of Jesus. All are your's, (saith an Apostle), and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's. 1 Corinthians 2:16; 1 Corinthians 2:16

REFLECTION

READER! what sayest thou now thou hast gone over the first chapter of this incomparable hymn? Is it to thee what the title terms it, The Song of Songs? And is it of thy Solomon, thy Jesus? If so, shall we not join in singing it here upon earth, until we come to the everlasting hallelujahs of heaven? Yes! surely I would say for you, and for myself, Let Jesus kiss us with the kisses of mouth, for grace is poured into his lips, and he will communicate life, and grace, and pardon, and salvation unto our souls. And oh! that you and I may kiss the Son, for his love is indeed better than wine. Never was it known, that the highest cordial of wine recovered the dead; but thy love, blessed Jesus, can, and will recover sinners, that are dead in trespasses and sins: and surely thou, dearest Lord, as the virgins found, so have we known, that thy name surpasseth, in fragrancy and in odour, the richest ointment. Every name of thine is dear to a poor sinner: neither can a poor exercised soul of thine be so sadly circumstanced, but that thou hast a name suited for his case; and thy name, through faith in thy name, is the universal relief for all the maladies of thy people. Draw me then, thou dear Redeemer, with the cords of a man, with the bands of love, and every heart will run after thee. Surely the Lord the King hath drawn me into the chambers of his love, of his grace, his everlasting covenant, Oh! Lord, I will remember thee; I will be glad in thee; I will hail thee under all thine endearing characters, offices, and relations for thou art the Lord our righteousness.

And now let me tell the daughters of Jerusalem, and all that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth, of the grace, and mercy, and loveliness of my Lord. I am, indeed, in myself a poor, black, fallen son of Adam, but Jesus hath made me comely in his comeliness, and adopted me into his family; so that I, that in myself merited hell, am made in him an heir of heaven. Oh! do not look upon me, then, as I once was, but as I now am. Behold me in Christ, and be not angry with me.

But, Lord, I turn to thee. Tell me where thou feedest thy sheep here in this wilderness. I know, Lord, that thou art the Lamb in the midst of the throne, feeding the church above: but I know also that thou art not less attentive to the humblest and poorest of thy family here below. Feed me, Lord, a poor weather-beaten lamb of thy flock, and bring me home at length to thine everlasting fold.

Reader! mark what Jesus hath directed the church in this place: If we are at a loss any time to know where Jesus feeds his flock like a shepherd, let us seek out for a faithful, pure, and gospel ministry. Here let us sit under the word, and be very diligent in the use of means and ordinances. Here let the kids, that is, our little ones also, the children of our houses and families, be brought beside the Great Shepherd's tents in the congregations of the faithful, and the Lord will bless and own his word to his people.

And, Reader! let us, with humble reverence, look up, and implore the fulfillment of this blessed promise of the Father, Son; and Holy Ghost; that, from their joint love, and joint agency, we may have indeed borders of gold, with studs of silver. Hail! holy, undivided; Three in One, the LORD Jehovah! do thou regenerate our souls, and form them anew in Christ Jesus. Creating work, and renewing work, and refreshing work; all, all is thine. Lord! carry on and complete thy work, unto the day of thy coming.

Be thou then, thou blessed Jesus, all and everything our souls can possibly need or require: and while thou sittest at thy table, and art handing to my soul thy bread in secret, my soul will go out in desires after thee, as the fragrant smell of the spikenard; for surely thou art to me more refreshing than myrrh - more healing than camphire. Thou art more fair than the morning, more lovely than the sun rising, even in a morning without clouds. May my soul live to thee, walk with thee, rejoice in thee; and be thou my portion, and mine everlasting rest, in time, and to all eternity. Amen.