Section 486
III. Having thus given this great and glorious commendation of her beloved
She asserts that their bed, which was common to them, and which made for the glory of them both, green; also our bed is green: where we are to consider, 1st, What this bed is. 2dly, Whose it is. And, 3dly, What is said of it.
1st, It will be proper to inquire what is meant by this bed. R. Solomon Jarchi observes, that the tabernacle and temple were called so; and for this purpose cites Song of Solomon 3:7, 2 Kings 11:2, 3, and so it is explained in Yalkut. Theodoret[3451] thinks that the scriptures are here intended, which are oftentimes the instrumental means of begetting souls to Christ (see James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23). But it seems better to understand it of the church itself, and the seat of it; where Christ and believers comfortably rest together, enjoy sweet fellowship and communion with each other, and where many souls are begotten and born again; for "of Zion it shall be said, this and that man was born in her."
2dly, Whose bed is this; she calls it our bed, which denotes a mutual property and interest that Christ and believers have in the church; it is what the Father has given him, which he has purchased with his blood, and is the author and maker of; "behold his bed, which is Solomon's:" this he has chosen for his rest, solace and refreshment, saying, "this is my rest for ever, here will I dwell." Moreover, it is the bed which believers have a right to, and therefore are admitted to all the privileges of it; here they enjoy the presence and company of Christ their beloved, they have an interest in him; therefore the apostle says, "if Christ be yours, all things are yours."
3dly, It is said of this bed. that it is green, that is, flourishing and fruitful; so the word is used in Daniel 4:4, Psalm 52:8, and 37:35, and intends either, 1. The fruitfulness of the saints in grace and holiness, who being "planted in the house of the Lord, flourish in the courts of our God," as trees of righteousness, which are filled and laden with the fruits thereof; which is owing to the refreshing dews and influences of divine grace. Or else, 2. The numerous increase of converts in the church; and so the Targum and R. Sol. Jarchi explain it: and it may be an allusion to a custom used in the eastern nations, in strewing the nuptial bed with green leaves and flowers; and with the Latins, torus, a bed, is so called from tortis herbis[3452] from herbs writhed and twisted together, and put under the shoulders of those that lay on them; and it was usual to strew them with green herbs, grass, and leaves of trees.[3453] A numerous increase of converts, which makes the bed, the church, look so green and flourishing, was frequently promised and prophesied of in the Old-Testament; and had a glorious fulfillment in the first dawn of the gospel, when three thousand souls were converted under one sermon; and will be gloriously and completely fulfilled in the latter day, when the church shall say, "the place is too strait for me, give place to me that I may dwell."