hrist's answer. (1) The disappointments of the church from
her own folly. (2-8) The excellences of Christ. (9-16)
Verse 1: See how ready Christ is to accept the invitations of his
people. What little good there is in us would be lost, if he did
not preserve it to himself. He also invites his beloved people
to eat and drink abundantly. The ordinances in which they honour
him, are means of grace.
Verses 2-8: Churches and believers, by carelessness and security,
provoke Christ to withdraw. We ought to notice our spiritual
slumbers and distempers. Christ knocks to awaken us, knocks by
his word and Spirit, knocks by afflictions and by our
consciences; thus, (Re 3:20). When we are unmindful of Christ,
still he thinks of us. Christ's love to us should engage ours to
him, even in the most self-denying instances; and we only can be
gainers by it. Careless souls put slights on Jesus Christ.
Another could not be sent to open the door. Christ calls to us,
but we have no mind, or pretend we have no strength, or we have
no time, and think we may be excused. Making excuses is making
light of Christ. Those put contempt upon Christ, who cannot find
in their hearts to bear a cold blast, or to leave a warm bed for
him. See the powerful influences of Divine grace. He put in his
hand to unbolt the door, as one weary of waiting. This betokens
a work of the Spirit upon the soul. The believer's rising above
self-indulgence, seeking by prayer for the consolations of
Christ, and to remove every hinderance to communion with him;
these actings of the soul are represented by the hands dropping
sweet-smelling myrrh upon the handles of the locks. But the
Beloved was gone! By absenting himself, Christ will teach his
people to value his gracious visits more highly. Observe, the
soul still calls Christ her Beloved. Every desertion is not
despair. Lord, I believe, though I must say, Lord, help my
unbelief. His words melted me, yet, wretch that I was, I made
excuses. The smothering and stifling of convictions will be very
bitter to think of, when God opens our eyes. The soul went in
pursuit of him; not only prayed, but used means, sought him in
the ways wherein he used to be found. The watchmen wounded me.
Some refer it to those who misapply the word to awakened
consciences. The charge to the daughters of Jerusalem, seems to
mean the distressed believer's desire of the prayers of the
feeblest Christian. Awakened souls are more sensible of Christ's
withdrawings than of any other trouble.
Verses 9-16: Even those who have little acquaintance with Christ,
cannot but see amiable beauty in others who bear his image.
There are hopes of those who begin to inquire concerning Christ
and his perfections. Christians, who are well acquainted with
Christ themselves, should do all they can to make others know
something of him. Divine glory makes him truly lovely in the
eyes of all who are enlightened to discern spiritual things. He
is white in the spotless innocence of his life, ruddy in the
bleeding sufferings he went through at his death. This
description of the person of the Beloved, would form, in the
figurative language of those times, a portrait of beauty of
person and of grace of manners; but the aptness of some of the
allusions may not appear to us. He shall come to be glorified in
his saints, and to be admired in all that believe. May his love
constrain us to live to his glory.
hrist's answer. (1) The disappointments of the church from
her own folly. (2-8) The excellences of Christ. (9-16)