The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 210

As the ivy clings for support to the oak, or as the limpet clings to the eolid rock, so may we in our native weakness cling to the eternal Strength. As our faith grows, so will grow our love; and love, a.gain, will encourage faith. There ie a beautiful inter- action. We lean upon Jesus because he is our Well-beloved.-D. Vers. 6, 7.-Prayer for full asfflrance. The marrow and essence of true religion is love. If there is no love to God, there is no religion. If I e.m not the object of God's love, I have no solid hope of a blissful immortality. Hence it is our primary and supreme concern to ascertain whether we have a place in God's affection. Has God a cr1re for me ? Has he put my name on his book of life? Is he engaged by solemn covenant to be my Friend eternally? I want to know this. If I em left in suspense, it is, of all things, most painful. It robs me of the inspiration and the stimulus of hope. It wee.kens my endeavour after holiness. It damps my zeal. It. checks my cheerfulness, and kills my inward peace. Unless the warm sunshine of Imme.nuel's love encircle me, I shall not produce the ripe fruits of goodness. Will my love be steadfast? Shall I hold out to the end? Well, all is secure if I know that I she.re in the love of Christ; for that love is endearing, unchanging, tender, all-victorious, everlastin~. If my name is on the heart of my Saviour, then my eternal fortune is certain. No ill can come to me through time or through eternity. Therefore this prayer, "Set me as e. seal upon thy heart." I. NOTE THE SUllSTANCE OF THIS PRAYER. 1. It is a plea/or love, Unless God had revealed to us the fact that iu his heart there glowed a vehement flame of love for sinning men, we could never have surmised it. We might have carefully noted his many arrangements in nature for ministering to our happiness. We might have reasoned in our mind that, since he had given us the capacity to love, the spring and fount of that love must be in his own breast. Yet this would have been at the best conjecture. We could not have built on it any hope of enjoying his personal friend- ship, or of sharing his society eternally. But he has given us a veritable gospel. He has assured us that his highest love centres in men. He has given us plain and practical proofs of the ardour of his love. He has given us the sure pledge that his love 1s a permanent force in his nature ; yea, an attribute of his Godhead. Therefore this love kindles our hope, excites our profoundest desire. God loves me; hence I can become a better man. I can rise out of the mire of sin. I can emerge out of the grave of dark deEpair. I can become a child of God, a prince in the kingdom ot heaven. My heart is deeply moved. I love him who gave himself for rue. I want to lo,;,e him more. But he must soften my nature, and draw out my love. Will be condescend to do it? Will he have pity on undeserving me? I want to have this question solved. Jesns, I pray thee make me thy friend! 2. Itis a petition for the assurance ef Christ's love. The language is very probably borrowed from an impressive scene in the temple. It was a part of the duty of the high priest, when he w~nt into the holy place, and came into immediate contact with God, to wear upon his breast and upon his shoulders the names of the tribes of Israel. These names were graven upon precious stones, and this ceremony indicated the affectionate interest which ~he high priest felt in the welfare of the people. He lived for them. He made oblahon for their sins. He interceded with God on their behalf. '!'heir misfortunes and their falls became his misfortunes and his burdens. He identified himself completely with the people. So his influence with God was used for them. Now, we too have a great High Priest; not a frail, erring man like Aaron and his successors. We have a perfect Mediator, even the Son of God himself. He has passed into the heavens as our Representative. If he will identify himself ,;,yith me! and undertake my salvation, I e.!11- fully content. For so excellent is he that hlB pleading always does and must preva1_l. Can I be sure that he feels an interest in me? Yes, it is possible. If I ask for this blessing I shall have it. Hence I pray, "Set me as a seal upon thy heart." 3. This also u a plea for practical l,elp. "Set me as a signet upon thine arm." The love ~f Jesus is not an inactive sentiment. It is sympathetic; it is personally helpful. ~1B lo,;,e puts into gracious operation all the energies of bis being. I want the 1;>rotec~1on of a mighty arm. I want superior help. My heart has grown very msens1ble through sin, and I want him to soften it. I want him to eradicate from me the ~ld roots of lust and folly. I want him to break off my fetters of evil habit. I want him ou, vm. 1-14.J THE SONG OF SOLOMON. 201