Streams From Lebanon (Song Of Solomon 4:15)

"A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and STREAMS FROM LEBANON" (Songs of Solomon 4:15)

Ancient biblical Lebanon was one of the sweetest places in all the land of Canaan (Isaiah 29:17), which had a white, snow-capped mountain range (Jeremiah 18:14) whose upward movement exhibited craggy terrain. The pathway to the summit is not for the feet of babes; it is rather fit for those lion-like men (2 Samuel 23:20) and those men of experience who, by reason of use, have had their feet made like hind's feet so that they may stand on their high places; "He makes my feet like hinds' feet, and set me upon my high places"(Psalms 18:33).

Mount Lebanon grew tall cedar trees that were full of sap that the Lord planted (Psalm 104:16). The cedar tree of Lebanon, which is featured on the modern flag of Lebanon, was prized because of its high-quality, fragrant timber. King Solomon used cedar trees from Lebanon in the construction of the temple, as well as the building of his palace, which was called "the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon" (1 Kings 5:5–6; 7:1–3). To collect the massive amount of lumber needed for the temple and palace, 30,000 Israelite men were conscripted and sent to Lebanon for one month at a time (1 Kings 5:13–14). Hiram, king of Tyre, had his workers cut the trees, haul the logs to the sea, and float them to a place where Solomon’s men could collect them (1 Kings 5:8–9).

These trees are peculiarly the Lord's trees (Psalm 104:16), because they owe their planting entirely to Him. There was no diligent hand digging in the soil, no careful husbandman dropping in the fruitful cone. Probably, the waters of the tremendous deluge washed up the cones and laid them safely upon the ledge of rock at the top of the hill, and there they sprouted and grew. We must leave the early planting of those mighty trees among the secrets that belong to God.

The cedars of Lebanon are kept and preserved by God; and He does the same to us (His people) that He redeemed (Psalms 111:9); "for he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves" (Colossians 1:13). He preserves Christians, who are exposed daily to satanic temptations and stern afflictions of life, and serves as the only protection (Psalm 91:1), rooted and built up in him (Colossians 2:7) in order to increase the fruits of our righteousness (2 Corinthians 9:10).

Brethren, Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him (Colossians 2:7) The cedar trees are not dependent upon man for their watering. Nearby trees in the plain are nourished by small canals running at their roots, and they thrive; but who will find a stream for these trees on Mount Lebanon's summit? Who shall bring the rivers of water to their feet? The trees stand on lofty rocks, not moistened by human irrigation, and yet our heavenly Father supplies them. The clouds that hover around them supply their branches with water, and God commands the rain to shower on the cedars in their due season, the first rain and the latter rain (Deuteronomy 11:14), so that the famous wine of Lebanon (Hosea 14:7) can be produced. What a great God!

The Origin of the "streams from Lebanon"

Where is the origin of this magnificent stream that flows on Lebanon's mountain ridge that is about 6000 feet above sea level? Could it be from the excess rainfall? The ledges of the rock retain the streamlets which trickle from Lebanon’s snowy peaks, and then the roots of the cedar drink up the nourishment that they require.

The snow frequently lies upon the cedar tree branches in enormous masses. Where could this stream come from? It is so visible to the people on the plain. This mystery is only known to God, who is the fountain of the stream of Lebanon, enclosed in His garden (Songs of Solomon 4:15).

Christians are the "STREAMS FROM LEBANON", whose pure graces flow from God and impart the people down the valley (unbelievers) with a great outpouring of Holy Spirit to pull down the gates of hell (Matthew 16:18) on their way and give the nourished waters to save souls.

1. A CITY ON A HILL CANNOT BE HIDDEN.

The streams that flow from the mount are not hidden, neither are the cedars. Why should you hide yourself, my Christian friend? Why would you keep your Christian identity and not profess it to the unbelievers through your fruits (Matthew 7:16)?

We are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14). We are located on the hill to give light to others, show them the way of salvation, and pull them out of the sinful fire (Jude 1:23). You that are saved, rise for the salvation of others (Acts 13:47).