Exposition of the Song of Solomon, Chapter 8 · Verse 9
BRIDEGROOM.
Vers. 9.
If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of Cedar.
This verse contains the Bridegroom's answer unto the Brides last petition: Our Lord loves to have his people praying for others, as for themselves, and therefore, he so accepts this petition for the little sister, that instantly he returns an answer thereunto, by a gracious promise; in which we are to consider these four things, 1. The party to whom the promise is made. 2. The promiser. 3. The promise it self. 4. The condition that it's made upon. First, the party to whom this promise is made, is implyed in the words, she, and her, that is, the little sister yet unconverted, who is mentioned in the former verse. 2. The promiser is, we, that is, the Bridegroom and the Bride, to whom this sister stands in relation, vers. 8. Or rather, we, the Father, Son and Spirit (as we took the like expression, Chap. 1. 11.) for, this work which is undertaken and engaged for in the promise, doth belong especially to them. 3. The promise is in two expressions (as is also the condition) 1. We will build upon her a palace of silver: A palace (if the word be so rendred) is a place for dwelling in; and here it signifieth the adorning of her to be a mansion for his Spirit, and wherein himself will dwell, which is a priviledge that the believer in him is admitted unto, 1 Cor. 3. 16, 17. and 6. 19. and this is more than to be a wall, which is an house, but not so compleated and adorned. He is no common Guest that is to dwell there, therefore it's no common palace, but of silver, both precious, and also durable, and stately for it's matter, which he must have to dwell in: We will make her such, saith he. The condition proposed in this part of the promise, is, If she be a wall: A wall is different from stones, considered in themselves, and supposeth them to be built on a foundation: Now Jesus Christ being the only foundation, 1 Cor. 3. 10. upon which the believer, who is the spiritual Temple, is built. This to be a wall suppones her to be by faith united to him, whereby she becomes fixed and settled as a wall, who before was unstable: And so the sense runs thus, If she, the little sister, when she shall be spoken for by the Gospel, shall receive the word, and by faith close with Christ, then (saith he) we will throughly adorn her, as a mansion fit to be dwelt in, and we will make our abode with her, Ioh. 14. 23. If we render the word, towers, We will build on her towers of silver, it comes to the same scope; Walls are for defence, and they are defective till towers be built on them: And so the promise is to strengthen and adorn her more, if Christ be received by her. The second part of the promise, is, we will inclose her with boards of Cedar: Cedar was a precious wood, and durable (as hath been often said) And to be inclosed with it, signifies the adorning of her, and strengthning of her more. The condition annexed to this part of the promise, is, If she be a door: Doors makes way for entry, and are the weakest part of the wall: The opening of the heart to receive Christ, is compared to the opening of a door, Psa. 24. 7. and Chap. 5. 4. here he saith, although she be weak (possibly like a door of …ir) yet if she be a door, and give entrance to Christ (for, all, without saith, are as houses without doors to Christ, that cannot receive him) we will not only adorn her, but also fix and strengthen her more. From all which it appears, that these two things are clearly to be found in the scope, 1. That there is an accesse, and addition of beauty and strength promised to the little sister, even so much as may fully perfect her beginnings, and carry them on unto perfection; as a palace, or towers of silver, are beyond a wall; and boards of Cedar, beyond an ordinary door. 2. That these things promised, are here made to hang upon the condition of her receiving Christ, and being by faith united unto him, and built on him. That this is the meaning of the supposed condition, is clear, 1. From the promise that is annexed to it, faith in Christ is the condition, upon which all the promises of increase of grace, and establishment, do hang; and the thing promised her can be no other thing: therefore, the condition must be her union with him by faith. 2. It agrees with Scripture, to expound her being a wall, to signifie her union with Christ; for, Christ being the foundation, and believers being the wall, there must be supposed an union betwixt them, otherwise these names could not denote that relation which is betwixt Christ and the believers, even such as is betwixt the wall and the foundation: Now this union, by which believers are built on him, is made up by coming to him, which is believing, 1 Pet. 2. 4, 5. To whom coming as unto a living stone (or foundation) ye also as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house: Their coming to him builds them upon him, as the foundation: And, Eph. 2. these that are by nature aliens to the Common-wealth of Israel (as the little sister is here, while she hath no brests) are by their believing on Christ, said to be of the houshold of faith, and to be built on the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles doctrine, whereof Christ is the chief corner-stone, vers. 19, 20. &c. 3. It's clear by the opposition implyed; for, to be a wall supposeth her to be that which she is not now, when she hath no brests; and what that is, is clear from the next verse, where the Bride saith, I am a wall, and my brests like towers, and so I have found favour in his eyes: Therefore, to be a wall, is to be a believer, whatever it includes more; for, none is a wall but the Bride, and who find favour in his eyes, as her argument will conclude; and therefore, to be a wall, must include faith. So then, the meaning of the words comes to this, I tell thee (saith he) what we will do with our little sister, when she shall be spoken for, if she by faith come to Christ, and be built to him, we will perfect that work, for her eternal communion with him; yea, though she be weak and unstable, yet if she yield to Christ, we shall make her grace to grow, till she be stable and firm, even as thou by becoming a wall, hath thy brests made as towers, and hath found favour to be friendly dealt with, so shall she, and upon the same terms.
Obs. 1. That receiving of Christ by saith, puts them that have been strangers to him in that same capacity, for acceptation and communion with Christ, that his Bride hath, or that these who were formerly believers have by their union with him. 2. All that are bespoken by the Gospel, have not interest in the things promised, nor can they apply them, till by faith they be united to Christ, and fulfill the condition to which the promise is annexed, and that is saith. 3. One may really close with Christ, and so be a wall, and yet have many things to be perfected: Grace is not perfect at the beginning, but that wall hath a palace or tower to be built upon it. 4. The believers growing in grace, even after his union with Christ, is a great mercy, and is as such promised here. 5. Growth and increase in grace after conversion, is no lesse a work of Christ's, and a gift of Gods, than conversion it self. 6. Christ hath given a promise to the believer, for furthering and perfecting of his sanctification, as well as of his justification. 7. Where there is any honest beginning or foundation laid by real union with Christ, although it be weak, yet it will be perfected, and that may be expected; for, Christ's word, is here ingaged for it. 8. There are none of the promised blessings that can be expected from Christ, without performing of the condition of believing in him, and they who rest on him by faith may expect all.