Stacie Jaye

Searching, Finding, and Holding onto our Beloved

Searching, Finding, and Holding onto our Beloved
Matthew Henry and the Song of Solomon

Song of Solomon
3:1-5

Son 3:1 IN THE night I dreamed that I sought the one whom I love. [She said] I looked for him but could not find him. [Isa. 26:9.]
Son 3:2 So I decided to go out into the city, into the streets and broad ways [which are so confusing to a country girl], and seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I could not find him.
Son 3:3 The watchmen who go about the city found me, to whom I said, Have you seen him whom my soul loves?
Son 3:4 I had gone but a little way past them when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her who conceived me. [Rom. 8:35; I Pet. 2:25.]
Son 3:5 I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the hinds of the field that you stir not up nor awaken love until it pleases.


III. How she enquired of the watchmen concerning him, Son_3:3. In the night the watchmen go about the city, for the preservation of its peace and safety, to guide and assist the honest and quiet, as well as to be a check upon those that are disorderly; these met her in her walks, and she asked them if they could give her any tidings of her beloved. In the streets and broad-ways of Jerusalem she might meet with enough to divert her from her pursuit and to entertain her, though she could not meet her beloved; but she regards none in comparison with him. Gracious souls press through crowds of other delights and contentments in pursuit of Christ, whom they prefer before their chief joy.




IV. How she found him at last, Son_3:4. She passed from the watchmen as soon as she perceived they could give her no tidings of her beloved; she would not stay with them, because he was not among them, but went on seeking, for (as Ainsworth observes) the society neither of brethren, nor of the church, nor of ministers, can comfort the afflicted conscience unless Christ himself be apprehended by faith. But soon after she parted from the watchmen she found him whom she sought, and then called him him whom my soul loveth, with as much delight as before with desire. Note, Those that continue seeking Christ shall find him at last, and when perhaps they were almost ready to despair of finding him. See Psa_42:7, Psa_42:8; Psa_77:9, Psa_77:10; Isa_54:7, Isa_54:8. Disappointments must not drive us away from gracious pursuits.


V. How close she kept to him when she had found him. She is now as much in fear of losing him as before she was in care to find him: I held him, held him fast, as the women, when they met with Christ after his resurrection, held him by the feet, and worshipped him, Mat_28:9. “I would not let him go. Not only, I would never do any thing to provoke him to depart, but I would by faith and prayer prevail with him to stay, and by the exercise of grace preserve inward peace.” Those that know how hard comfort is come by, and how dearly it is bought, will be afraid of forfeiting it and playing it away, and will think nothing too much to do to keep it safe. Non minor est virtus quam quaerere parta tueri - As much is implied in securing our acquisitions as in making them. Those that have laid hold on wisdom must retain her, Pro_3:18. Those that hold Christ fast in the arms of faith and love shall not let him go; he will abide with them.


VI. How desirous she was to make others acquainted with him: “I brought him to my mother's house, that all my relations, all who are dear to me, might have the benefit of communion with him.” When Zaccheus found Christ, or rather was found of him, salvation came to his house, Luk_19:9. Wherever we find Christ we must take him home with us to our houses, especially to our hearts. The church is our mother, and we should be concerned for her interests, that she may have Christ present with her and be earnest in prayer for his presence with his people and ministers always. Those that enjoy the tokens of Christ's favour to their own souls should desire that the church, and all religious assemblies in their public capacity, might likewise enjoy the tokens of his favour.


VII. What care she was in that no disturbance might be given him (Son_3:5); she repeats the charge she had before given (Son_2:7) to the daughters of Jerusalem not to stir up or awake her love. When she had brought him into her mother's house, among her sisters, she gives them a strict charge to keep all quiet and in good order, to be very observant of him, careful to please him, and afraid of offending him. The charge given to the church in the wilderness concerning the angel of the covenant, who was among them, explains this. Exo_23:21, Beware of him and obey his voice; provoke him not. See that none of you stir out of your places, lest you disturb him, but with quietness work and mind your own business; make no noise; let all clamour and bitterness be put far from you, for that grieves the Holy Spirit of God, Eph_4:30, Eph_4:31. Some make this to be Christ's charge to the daughters of Jerusalem not to disturb or disquiet his church, nor trouble the minds of the disciples; for Christ is very tender of the peace of his church, and all the members of it, even the little ones; and those that trouble them shall bear their judgment, Gal_5:10.

Say hey and Share your Day

The Lord would have us united. 
To be bound together in order to love and support one another.  Too often, religion pulls us apart. 
One may believe this, and another that, but is there not some kind of common ground that we can agree on and bless our Father's heart?

Say hey.
Share your day. 
Be blessed and be a blessing.
Smile and share your smile.
Share the good things that our Heavenly Father is doing in your life.
Hand out joy.
Hand out strength.
You'll never run out of the joy of the Lord when you begin to pass it around.