The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 206

If it. will not-and this is the sadder and more probable truth-behold, gaze on, contem- plate earnestly, Christ's love to us; and then for us, too, it may come to pass, "whilst I was musing, the fire bumed."-S. 0. Vers. 8, 9.-The litt'le sister. This verse seems to be an inquiry on the part of those who are heard speaking in ver. 6. They probably knew the story of her who was now returning with her beloved, and their question shows their surprise. Then they listen to her entreaty addressed to him whom she so loved (ver. 6), a.nd to her recital of the characteristics of such love as hers. They now interpose with the question in ver. 8 concerning a. younger sister, who is not merely young, but, from the answer given (ver. 9), seems also to have been of uncertain and unsatisfactory character. But the question may be taken as addressed to the beloved by her who has just been speaking. Many think this; that it is she who is telling of her little sister, and asking what shall be done for her. If so, then the question a.nd answer lend themselves as parables of great spiritual truths. It is not likely that these verses have been or will be often preached upon; but should they be, they may, perhaps, be profitably used by spiritual- izing them e.s telling of the concern for others which the redeemed soul cherishes. When the woman of Samaria. found Christ, she sought that others should find him too. The Prophet Ezekiel says, "Thy younger sister is Sodom" (xvi. 46). Hence we may take this sister as telling of the whole heathen world, and that world in its worst state. If so, then we may lea.m- l. THAT THE HEATHEN, EVEN THE VILEST, ABE, AS WE ABE, OHILDBEN OF ONE FATHER. "We have a. sister." "Christ stands in the relation of an elder Brother to the Gentile as well as to the Jewish Church; therefore these two must be sisters." All men a.re to say, "Our Father which art in heaven." IT. CHRIST WILL 0ALL FOB THEM TO BE me OWN. There will come a. "day when she shall be spoken for." Cf. "Other sheep I have" (John x. 16); "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for," etc. (Ps. ii. 8). III. Tm:Y ABE NOT BEADY FOB HDL Not ready for that spiritual union with Christ into which his Church shall enter. How certain this is I They a.re sunk in sin, IV. Tms IS A MATTER OF MUCH 0ONCEBN TO THOSE WHO ABE CHRIST'S. "What shall be done for her? " This has been the impulse of all true missions, of all endeavours to bring in others to Christ. V. THEY A.SK AND GAIN COUNSEL FBOM HllL Ver. 9 gives his answer to the inquiry, "What shall be done?" "If she be a wall," etc. In the literal story this probably refers to her steadfastness in virtue (cf. ver. 10), and the "door" to an opposite character. We may take the words as telling : 1. Of preparedness to receive the truth. There is amongst some people a. preparedness for the faith which greatly facilitates its reception. That preparedness is as a wall which shuts out the inroads of the vile vices which too commonly belong to heathenism, and, as a. wall, strengthens them in the maintenance of many excellences. Where this is, there Christ will build a glorious Chorch (cf. Ps. xlviii.12, 13). 2. Of ordinary heathenism, which is as a door, in and out of which come and go all ma.oner and kinds of evils. If it be so, then, as in Rom. ii 7, then she should be shut in, enclosed with sacred restraints, as with boards of cedar. And the providence of God has in the past and will in the future so work that it will restrain the grosser practices of heathenism. For often is it seen that even where the heart is not yielded to Christ, yet the sacred restra.iDts of religioUB custom do tend to regulate conduct and hinder it from much evil See the influence of Sunday on our national life. The counsel suggested, therefore, as to what to do in regard to those as yet not Christ's, is that where there is preparedness, encourage it; and where not, restrain the practice of evil, make sin difficult so far as you ca.n.-S. C. Vers. 10-12.-" Gaudeam'U8 igitwr." The question has been asked and the answer given in reference to the "little sister." It was not clear what should be done, because it was not certain what her disposition might be. In contrast to such uncer- tainty, she who gave the answer speaks with joyous decision about herself that she is as a wall-not at all as a door-yea, as a strong tower; for though she might be assailed, her love could not be conquered. Her word here is like Paul's, "I have fought a good fight . . . I have kept the faith," etc. (2 Tim. iv. 7). Solomon had 08, VUI, l-14,] THE SONG OF SOLOMON.