15th Sunday After Pentecost. September 1st, 2024. Series

Song of Solomon 2:8-13, Psalm 45:1-2, Psalm 45:6-9, Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Deuteronomy 4:6-9, Psalm 15:1-5, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, Mark 7:14-15, Mark 7:21-23.

(A). THE SPRINGTIME OF MY LOVE.

Song of Songs 2:8-13.

The date and time of your next meeting is set: outside the Department store on such a street at such a time on Friday, or whenever. There you are, waiting, perhaps forgetting that these buildings often have more than one door. You wonder if your intended is ever going to show up: when, suddenly, you hear that familiar voice.

Imagine the relief: “The Voice of my Beloved!” Metaphorically speaking, at least - for we are, after all standing on the High Street of a City - “He comes leaping over mountains, skipping over hills” to be with you (Song of Songs 2:8). His impending arrival enthuses you, and you ‘know His Voice’ (John 10:4-5). As for Jesus, He will let nothing prevent Him (Hebrews 10:5-7).

Can you imagine what it must have been like for the Old Testament saints, like Simeon and Anna, waiting for the coming of Messiah? Simeon was not going to depart this world ‘in peace’ (Luke 2:29) until he encountered Jesus, ‘the consolation of Israel’ (Luke 2:25). Neither should any man be ready to leave this earth without the equivalent spiritual encounter with the Saviour! But once we have encountered Him, we might be like Paul - ready to live or die at His bidding (cf. Philippians 1:23-24).

And so, He comes, leaping and skipping “like a roe or a young hart” (Song of Songs 2:9). He is informed by His love for us to be cheerful in the undertaking of our salvation, despite the cost to Himself. He is as One ‘whose delights are with the sons of men’ (Proverbs 8:31).

Meantime, in the Old Testament dispensation, He is hidden “behind the wall” of sacrifice and ceremony, types and shadows - and occasionally “looks forth at the windows, showing Himself through the lattice” (Song of Songs 2:9). The ceremonial law is a ‘wall of partition’ which is only demolished by His blood (Ephesians 2:13-14). He stands behind the wall erected by our sin (Isaiah 1:18-20), waiting to be gracious: and how He was straitened until this work was accomplished (Luke 12:50)!

In the New Testament era, we again find ourselves in waiting mode. ‘Occupy until I come,’ He tells His disciples (cf. Luke 19:13). And, ‘Behold I come quickly’ (Revelation 22:12). Be patient: for ‘He that shall come will come and will not tarry’ (cf. Hebrews 10:36-37). Meanwhile, we catch the occasional glimpse of Him in Word and sacraments, waiting for the fulness of the revelation (cf. John 17:24) when ‘we shall see Him as He is’ (1 John 3:2).

Then comes the call to “rise” and “come away” (Song of Songs 2:10). To the unbeliever: Arise from your deadness in trespasses and sins and come away with new life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ephesians 2:5). To the believer in despondency and doubt: Awake from slumber and arise from death (Ephesians 5:14), ‘and Follow Me’. To the dead in Christ, and to those who remain until Jesus’ return: Arise and come away to be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

He calls His people “My love, My fair one” (Song of Songs 2:10). We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). We did not choose Him, He chose us (John 15:16). Metaphorically speaking, perhaps, we are made “fair”, who were hitherto darkened by sin. The LORD blots out our transgressions (Isaiah 43:25) and sees us only as the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

And now the Winter is gone. The Winter of unbelief. The Winter of doubt. The Winter of despair. The Winter of backsliding. The Winter of fruitless Christianity. The devil isn’t going to be permitted to rain on our parade any more (Song of Songs 2:11). The rain is over: the bleak, bitter, dangerous rain, and in its place the dews of blessings (Genesis 27:28) herald the covenant of grace (Isaiah 54:9).

It is Spring. A time of budding flowers, singing birds, the cooing of the turtledove (Song of Songs 2:12). [The turtledove is one of those who understands the signs of the times, even when men do not (Jeremiah 8:7).] Our Lord has put a new song in our mouths: even praise to our God (Psalm 40:3). The church’s testimony to the nations shall at last cause many to ‘fear’ (reverence) and trust in the LORD.

The fig tree puts forth its blossoms, whereby we know that Summer is nigh (Song of Songs 2:13; cf. Matthew 24:32). Be like the children of Issachar, who knew the signs of the times (1 Chronicles 12:32; cf. Luke 12:56). Be patient, be ready at all times, for He comes at a time which you know not (Luke 12:40). Then you shall hear those words just once more: “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away” (Song of Songs 2:13).