Songs 1:4 Draw me, we will run after you: the king has brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in you… Clear as a knell of pure silver, rang out the words of the strange man of Pethor, amid the goodly tents and tabernacles of Israel (Numbers 24:17). With the most captivating frenzy, Israel's greatest bard gave grand, dramatic exhibitions of the coming Saviour — as the enthroned King (Psalm 2.); as the conquering King (Psalm 45.); as the righteous King (Psalm 72.); as the Priest King, made after the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 111.). The weeping Jeremiah wiped away his tears, as visions of a new hope broke upon him (Jeremiah 23:5, 6). Gathering up the choice music of the centuries, Zechariah bursts forth into the loftiest of refrains (Zechariah 9:9). To the Virgin, the angel came ringing joy-bells, because of the Kingship of her expected Child (Luke 1:33). The Magians — those star-guided strangers — thought only of the sovereignty of the world's Redeemer (Matthew 2:2). As soon as the guileless eyes of Nathaniel rested upon Jesus Christ, he exclaimed: "Thou art the King of Israel" (John 1:49). Coronation Day being passed and the newly crowned potentate having entered into glory, how the subsequent disclosures that Jesus made of Himself, in the visions of Parinos, were radiant with His own royal light: We read that He is "the Prince of the kings of the earth" (Revelation 1:5); "the King of saints" (Revelation 15:3); "the King of kings (Revelation 17:14)! I. THE ELEMENTS OF THE DIVINE KINGSHIP. 1. Christ's Personality. A king is a man of high birth — noble ancestry — pure, good blood. Royalty is the blossom on the Tree. of Humanity — the ripened fruit of the race. The Kingship of Christ calls attention, first of all, to His. lofty personality — that is, to the exclusiveness of His ancestral line: the nobility of His immediate parentage, and the dignity and grandeur of His own inborn substance. 2. Christ's Authority over His people. This is the second idea involved in His Kingship. "Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour!" O, this is the new and startling lesson the Gospel brings to every man to learn: "Christ a Prince first — then a Saviour!" Submission of will, before redemption from sin! Make a whole-hearted self-surrender to Jesus, as your Lord and Master. Then will your sins be for given and you will be a child of God. But what is meant by a surrender of self to Jesus Christ? I reply, we must make Him the King of Life; the King of Truth; and the King of Money. 3. Christ's protection of His people. This is the third element involved in His Kingship. When things seem dark for the Church, for the ultimate success of the Gospel and the triumph of Christianity, bear in mind that this glorious work is in the hands of an infinite Potentate. Glorious King! He will conquer all our enemies. He will protect His people. II. Behold, in view of the facts stated, THE HIGH SPIRITUAL TEACHING OF MY TEXT. Just read the second verse of this wonderful Song of Redeeming Love. There we find the awakened soul praying for reconciliation. In the third verse we find a burst of praise to the Saviour. Then comes the text, with its prayer of humility and submission: "Draw me; we will run after Thee." We are only saved when we "run" after Jesus Christ. It is His own sovereign command; "Follow thou Me!" In the next clause, behold this saved soul's protection — absolute safety, as to every foe: "The King hath brought me into His chambers," i.e. into the inner, private compartment of the palace, from which the world is excluded and where no enemy can enter. This is the sacred place of the Most High, where all dwellers abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1). This is the pavilion, where, in the time of trouble, Jesus Christ hides His people — the secret of His tabernacle, giving safety to all (Psalm 27:5); "The strong tower into which the righteous run and are safe' (Proverbs 18:10). But this part of my text is rich beyond all we have yet seen. Truly we see Protection standing before us in all the calm dignity and infinite power of Divine sovereignty. But you know that the "chambers" of an Eastern monarch were those secluded and gorgeously furnished apartments of his palace, into which no male friend ever entered; nor yet a concubine — only the King's most cherished wife. In these "chambers," therefore, behold the dwelling-place of Love. That is, Christ is King of Love! Who would not exclaim: We will be glad and rejoice in Thee, seeing that Christ's work is love- first, last and evermore! Behold this truth and go forth, from this hour, to make your religion a grand chorus-song — a sweet harp of a thousand chords — an immortal flower, ever beautiful, ever fragrant — a life spent in willing, joyful service! III. THE KINGSHIP OF CHRIST MUST BE CHERISHED IN SACRED MEMORY. "We will remember Thy love more than wine; the upright love Thee." "Wine," here, means the world's most desirable things: gold; learning; pleasure; power; fame; ease; human affection. But what are all these, as compared with Him who is the King of all wills, all hearts, all knowledge, all possessions, of righteousness, and of love — the Christ of God who has saved us with His own precious blood! (A. H. Moment, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. |
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