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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Song of Solomon 8:1 - 8:4
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The Joys of the Heavenly Marriage.
The Longing Cry of the Church
v. 1. O that Thou wert as my brother, literally, "as a brother to me," that sucked the breasts of my mother! When I should find Thee without, out in the open country, the far reaches of the world, I would kiss Thee; yea, I should not be despised, or, "yet none would despise me. "
v. 2. I would lead Thee and bring Thee into my mother's house, who would instruct me, rather, "Thou wouldest instruct me"; I would cause Thee, in return for such instruction, to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate, the full and true love of her heart.
v. 3. His left hand should be under my head, and His right hand should embrace me, 2:6.
v. 4. I charge you, so the Bridegroom calls out once more, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up nor awake My love, until he please, rather, "until it please," 2:7.
Although the work of the Church is done willingly and faithfully, yet it is done under difficulties. And therefore she cries out to Him who is her Brother, with whom, by virtue of His humanity, she is connected with the closest ties, that she hopes soon to find and meet Him outside this present world. In the Great Beyond she will no longer be subject to disgraceful behavior on the part of her enemies; she will be at home, in the city of her eternal rest. Together with Christ, whose work in and with the Church will be brought to an end with the conversion of the last elect, she will enjoy the bliss of eternity. There He will give His Church the full understanding of all things, 1 Corinthians 13, 12. There her heart will be given to Him in the perfection of bliss ineffable. So sure is the Church of this fulfillment of her hopes that she speaks of them as being present; she is even now possessing everything contained in the promises of her Bridegroom. And he, in turn, insists upon granting to His Church every possible moment and hour of rest and respite, that she may enjoy His love all the more in the halls of heaven.