Sermon
#4 Series: Song of Solomon
Title: Christ’s Estimate
Of His People
Text: Song of Solomon 1:8-11
Reading: Ezekiel
16:1-22, 60-63
Subject: The
Beauty Christ Has Put Upon His People
Date: Sunday Morning - , 1998
Tape # U-69a
Introduction:
Proposition: As we become increasingly aware of
our personal sinfulness and corruption, as we are humbled by the depravity of
our hearts, nothing is more comforting, cheerful, and reassuring to God’s
saints in this world than the knowledge of the fact that in the eyes of Christ
we stand perfect in the beauty of his righteousness, the beauty which he has
put upon us.
All the spiritual goodness, beauty, and
comeliness we have before God is that which Christ puts upon us!
·
By
Blood Atonement.
·
By
Imputed Righteousness.
·
By
Saving Grace.
How
blessed it is, when I am most keenly and painfully aware of the fact that in
me, in my flesh dwelleth not good thing, to hear my Savior say, “Thy beauty is perfect through my
comeliness, which I put upon thee.”
In
its essence, that is what the Song of Solomon is all about. This blessed book
is a song of love between Christ and his church. As we read the book, we who
belong to Christ, we who are married to the Son of God ought to make it as
personal as possible. Whenever the bride speaks, read it in the first person.
Her words are the expressions of every believer’s heart.
Whenever
Solomon speaks to the bride, (Pharaoh’s daughter), read the words as the words
of Christ speaking to you. All that he says to her shows the great love and
high estimate Christ has for you who are chosen by him, washed in his blood and
saved by his grace.
Throughout
this blessed love song, we see a constant fluctuation in the bride, but not in
the bridegroom. She varies greatly. Sometimes her heart burns with love for
him. Then it is as cold as ice. Sometimes she delights to have him lie between
her breasts. Then she bolts the door of her heart against him. But his love for
her never changes! Is that not the way things are with you? Does your heart not
ache and pine for a closer walk with Christ? Cowper expressed what I want to
say better than I can…
“Oh for a closer walk with
God,
A calm and heavenly frame;
A Light to shine upon the
road
That leads me to the Lamb.
Where is the
blessedness I knew
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul-refreshing
view
Of Jesus in His Word?
What peaceful hours I then
enjoyed,
How sweet their memory
still!
But now I find an aching
void
The world can never fill.
Return, O holy Dove, return,
Sweet Messenger of rest!
I hate the sins that made
Thee mourn
And drove Thee from my
breast.
The Song of Solomon is an
inspired record of the constant languishings and revivings we experience in
this world, the languishings of our hearts because of sin and the sweet
revivings of our souls by our Savior’s unfailing grace. Let’s begin reading in
verse 1.
(Song of
Songs 1:1) "The song of
songs, which is Solomon's."
What
a proper, fitting, appropriate title that is for this book. Solomon means peaceful. He represents Christ, the
Prince of Peace, our beloved, all-glorious Savior.
Notice, this is not just A Song. It is called The Song Of Songs. There are many songs
recorded in the pages of Holy Scripture. Moses, Aaron and Miriam, Deborah,
Hannah and David all sang songs, great and good songs unto the Lord. But this
is called The Song of Songs. All
those other songs were songs of battles fought and victories won, trials endure
and triumphs experienced. But this is purely a song of love. It is Solomon’s
Song and it is all about Solomon. That is to say, it is Christ’s song and it is
all about Christ and his great love for us.
Verses 2-4 express the
ardent desires of the believer’s languishing heart for fresh discoveries of
Christ’s love and fresh sweet tokens of it from the kisses of his mouth.
(Song of
Songs 1:2-4) "Let him kiss
me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. (3) Because
of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. (4) 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."
In verses 5 and 6 we frankly
and honestly confess of sin, the blackness of our hearts, our natures, and our
lives. Yet, in the teeth of our sin, we look to Christ and claim the beauty
that he has given us by grace. In our many trials and afflictions, we are often
careless and fail to keep our own vineyards. Every heaven born soul knows and freely confesses his sin (1 John
1:9).
(Song of
Songs 1:5-6) "I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of
Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. (6) Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked
upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of
the vineyards; but mine own vineyard
have I not kept."
In verse 7 there is an
ardent expression of ardent love for Christ followed by an earnest prayer for
guidance and grace. While we live in this world, we seek to follow Christ and
feed at his table. But there are many false prophets and apostate churches, all
claiming to be his companions. Therefore, we constantly look to our Beloved
Lord to direct our steps and keep us in the footsteps of his flock.
(Song of
Songs 1:7) "Tell me, O
thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest
thy flock to rest at noon: for why
should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?"
Now, let’s read verses 8-11.
As we hear Christ’s response to us, telling us where he feeds his flock and
makes them rest, I want to call your attention particularly to Christ’s
Estimate Of His Saints. My brother, my sister, this is what Christ
thinks of you.
(Song of
Songs 1:8-11) "If thou
know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the
flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents. (9) I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in
Pharaoh's chariots. (10) Thy cheeks
are comely with rows of jewels, thy
neck with chains of gold. (11) We
will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver."
The
bride asked her beloved where he feeds his flock, where he makes his flock to
rest at noon. In our text he replies to his beloved Bride. He speaks in love to
comfort her heart and assure her.
I. The text begins with THE LORD JESUS REMINDING US OF OUR IGNORANCE.
These opening words, “If thou know not”, would be better
translated “Since you do not know”. The
question asked in verse seven was an acknowledgment of ignorance. This reminder
of the fact of our ignorance in all things spiritual is given not to discourage
us, but to remind us that we must never cease looking to him for guidance and
direction.
Particularly,
he is reminding us that though we know something of our sinfulness, the
corruption and deceitfulness of our hearts, we really have no idea just how
corrupt and deceitful our hearts are! We know we are weak; but we do not really
have any idea just how weak. We must ever look to him for strength.
·
To
Resist Temptation.
·
To
Trust Him.
·
To
Obey Him.
·
To
Walk In His Way.
II. Here is his word of
instruction for our hearts - “Go thy way
forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds’
tents.”
Here we are told where to find our Lord,
where to find food and rest and refreshment for our souls. If you would find
Christ, you will find him in the way of the holy prophets, in the way of the
patriarchs and in the way of the apostles. Follow the footsteps of the flock,
feed by the tents of his shepherds, and you may find him.
A. What are the footsteps of the flock?
They are simply the paths in which God’s
people have always walked. They are the paths of the Lord’s sheep. They are not
hard to find. They are plain and clear. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob walked in
these paths. These are the paths of David, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. Peter, James,
John, and Paul followed these paths. Let us walk in them too.
1.
They
are the paths of faith and trust.
2.
They
are the paths of submission and obedience.
3.
They
are the paths of righteousness and godliness.
4.
They
are the paths of love and kindness.
5.
They
are the old paths of doctrinal truth (Jer. 6:16).
(Jeremiah
6:16) "Thus saith the LORD, Stand
ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your
souls."
B. Who are these shepherds, by whose tents we must feed?
There are many in these days who have set
themselves up as shepherds, who would feed their followers in poisonous
pastures of free will, works religion. Keep away from them.
·
Do
not follow a man.
·
Do
not cling to a church.
·
Find
a man who is preaching the gospel of Christ, and feed by his tent. The church
where the gospel is preached is the shepherds’ tent. The man who is preaching
the gospel is one of Christ’s shepherds (Jer. 3:15).
(Jeremiah
3:15) "And I will give you pastors
according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and
understanding."
Find
a man who is like Paul, “Determined not
to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified,” and you
can safely feed by his tent. Those who are the true servants of Christ preach
Christ, they preach all of Christ, and they preach nothing but Christ.
1.
We preach Christ crucified
as he is revealed in Holy Scripture.
·
His
Godhood.
·
His
Manhood.
·
His
atonement.
·
His
righteousness.
·
His
justification.
·
His
exaltation.
2.
We preach the doctrines of
the gospel of the grace of God in Christ.
We
must be very particular that we preach the truth of God, the whole truth of
God, not just a part of it, but all of it. The doctrines of grace are to me
like a field of clover. Religion without the doctrines of grace is a barren
wasteland.
·
Divine
Sovereignty.
·
Unconditional
Election.
·
Total
Depravity.
·
Effectual,
Particular Redemption.
·
Irresistible
Grace.
·
Perseverance
Of The Saints.
·
The
Liberty Of Grace.
Let
others turn aside if they must to the empty cisterns of religious philosophy.
We have found a refreshing fountain of life in Christ himself, and we have
found rich pastures for our souls in these blessed doctrines of the gospel.
III. WE ARE GIVEN SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION ABOUT FEEDING OUR
KIDS. “Feed thy kids beside the
shepherds tents.”
The
shepherds spoken of here are faithful gospel preachers, men appointed and
called of God to be undershepherds to Christ. The shepherds tents are the
churches pastored by God’s faithful servants. As shepherds in ancient times
pitched their tents in the wilderness where they led their flocks, so God’s
servants establish gospel churches in the wilderness of this world for the
feeding of Christ’s flock.
You
and I are here directed to feed our kids by the shepherds’ tents, and nowhere
else. The word “kids” does not to
refer to our physical children, though there is certainly an application to
them. You and I are responsible to see to it that our children hear the Word of
God faithfully preached. If you feed them upon the husks of free will, works
religion you will be responsible for their eternal ruin.
However,
the word “kids” is used here in
reference to young converts, weak in faith and knowledge. They often think they
know much and are strong; but that is not usually the case with young converts.
Like young goats, young believers are often a bit wild and rowdy, and have an offensive
smell. But it is the “kids” of the
flock who need our special care and patience.
IV. Now I want you to see CHRIST’S ESTIMATE OF HIS PEOPLE.
A. First the Lord tells us how beautiful his people are
in his eyes - “O thou fairest among women” (vv.8, 9-10).
In
our own eyes, and in the eyes of others, we are black and scornful. But in his
eyes we are fair and comely. I would rather trust his eyes than my eyes. If my
eyes tell me that I am black, I will weep. But if he assures me that I am fair
in his eyes, I will believe him and rejoice. Listen to the Son of God, my
brother, my sister, as the speaks to you about you…
(Song of
Songs 1:9-11) "I have
compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots. {10} Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold."
1.
Christ sees us in the beauty
of his own imputed righteousness and declares that we are perfectly beautiful (Ezek. 16:13-14).
(Ezekiel
16:13-14) "Thus wast thou decked
with gold and silver; and thy raiment was
of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and
honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into
a kingdom. {14} And thy renown went
forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith
the Lord GOD."
“In thy Surety thou art
free.
His dear hands were pierced
for thee:
With his spotless garments
on,
We’re as holy as God’s own
Son!”
Christ does not exaggerate the beauty of
his people. We are perfectly beautiful and gloriously complete, so much
so that we may confidently exclaim, “Who
shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?”
2.
Besides that, our Lord sees
us as we shall actually be when he is finished with us (Eph. 5:25-27).
Illustration: The artist sees the statue
which he will
make in the huge block of marble he has
purchased.
(Ephesians
5:25-27) "Husbands, love your
wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; {26} That he might sanctify and cleanse
it with the washing of water by the word,
{27} That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having
spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without
blemish."
3.
In this passage (vv. 9-11), our Lord uses a well known picture of
royal beauty to typify the beauty of his people in him.
a.
He
compares us to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots.
·
Beautiful
·
Chosen
·
Costly
·
Strong.
b.
He
shows how he has adorned us by his grace.
·
Rows
of jewels - The graces of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22).
·
Chains
of gold - The blessings of graces in him (Eph. 1:3-14).
V. In verse 11, our
Beloved Savior tells us what will yet be done for us.
“We”
(God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) “We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.”
This is a symbolic picture
of the heavenly Jerusalem and our everlasting glory in heaven (Isa. 54:11-12;
Rev. 21:18-21).
(Isaiah
54:11-12) "O thou afflicted,
tossed with tempest, and not
comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy
foundations with sapphires. {12} And
I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy
borders of pleasant stones."
(Revelation
21:18-21) "And the building of the
wall of it was of jasper: and the
city was pure gold, like unto clear
glass. {19} And the foundations of
the wall of the city were garnished
with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the
fourth, an emerald; {20} The fifth,
sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the
ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the
twelfth, an amethyst. {21} And the
twelve gates were twelve pearls:
every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent
glass."
Application:
1.
Lets
us never forget our personal weakness, ignorance and sin. May God graciously
cause us ever to look to Christ alone for strength, grace and cleansing.
2.
Let
us resolve, by God’s grace, ever to be found walking in the footsteps of the
flock, feeding by the shepherds tents, as long as we are in this world.
3.
Let
us always take special care to watch out and care for our younger brothers and
sisters in the kingdom of God.
4.
Let
us now remember what great things the Lord has done for us.
5.
Let
us ever live in the anticipation of that glory which awaits us.
6.
Let
us ever pray for these here who yet know not our God. Oh, may God be leased to
do for you what you cannot do for yourself! Oh, may he be pleased now to make
you a new creature in Christ by his amazing grace.
AMEN.