Songs 5:9-16 What is your beloved more than another beloved, O you fairest among women? what is your beloved more than another beloved… I. WHAT ARE THE CHIEF OBJECTS OF MAN'S LOVE? 1. Money. — What is there men will not do or suffer for the sake of wealth? 2. Fashion. — There is a Baal as well as a Moloch in the Pantheon — a god of splendour as well as a god of fire! And Baal has his sacrifices too. To enter a circle a little above their own, to stand out prominently before the world — what unworthy artifices! what mean flatteries! How low men will stoop to raise themselves a little higher! 3. Science. — Here we feel that we are getting to a loftier elevation, and breathing purer air. Heaven and earth — sea and shore — the mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms, are full of treasures for the lover of science. And here he revels. Day is as night, and night as day — "the hours uncounted, meals untasted pass;" whilst his whole soul is in communion with his beloved. 4. Literature. — And surely such a study is not without its fascinations. And cultivated minds there are that make an idol of this object — Literature is the beloved of their souls. II. WHY DOES CHRIST DESERVE A WARMER LOVE? 1. Because He can love us in return. Money, Fashion, Science, Literature, are dead things; and the dead have no power to sympathize — their give not "smile for smile, or sigh for sigh." But Christ is a living one! "He was dead, but is alive again." There glows a heart in his Bosom that can hear and answeer the yearnings of ours. And seeking sympathy anywhere beside is "seeking the living among the dead."! Seek it in Christ! He lives and loves! 2. Because He is so exceeding lovely. See Him encompassed with a body like our own — going about doing good. Can you imagine a character more attractive? Is He not "altogether lovely"? 3. He has shown us so much love already. 4. We may depend upon His love for all time to come. The future — untried, unknown! it is this which weighs on us. What evils, trials, sufferings may there not be in store! The only thing to bring us peace is — the assurance that our future is in the hands of all-wise, unwearied, almighty Love l And is not this the assurance that Christ gives to His people? "Lo, I am with you alway." "My grace is sufficient for you." "All things work together for good to them that love Me." Is not this comforting? (F. Tucker, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us? |
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