I. Here is a question put by way of admiration
I. Here is a question put by way of admiration
"Who is this," etc. Not by the angels, as some[4265] think; though it is true, they admire the grace that is bestowed upon mortal men, and rejoice at the faith and conversion of sinners: but it is much more likely that these are the words of the daughters of Jerusalem; who being strictly charged, in the former verse, to give no disturbance to Christ and his church, who were enjoying communion and fellowship with each other; look more earnestly at her, whom Christ had so much honored and indulged with such earnestness to himself, at which they seem astonished and surprised. Though others[4266] have considered them as the words of the Jewish church, wondering at the conversion of the Gentiles, and their sudden reception into the embraces of Christ. Others[4267] have taken them to be the words of the bride herself, declaring what Christ said to her when he first met her, as she was coming up from the wilderness; or else, expressing her great love and affections to Christ, which appeared by her coming out of the wilderness, forsaking all for him, encountering with all difficulties, running all risks, that she might enjoy his company; and therefore says, "Who is this," etc., or where is there another that has done the like, or shown the like love to him as I have done? Which is not to be understood as though she boasted in herself; for she acknowledges, that it was by his grace and strength that she had been enabled to do this, which is expressed in the very next words, "leaning upon her beloved;" for she could never have been able to come up from the wilderness had she not had his arm to lean upon. Though they seem rather to be the words of Christ himself; not as being ignorant of her, or as not knowing who she was; but as admiring at the graces of his Spirit in her, and especially that of faith, signified by her "leaning on her beloved;" as he had admired her love and affections to him, in a like form of speech, in chapter 3:6, which are there compared to "pillars of smoke."
The person who is here inquired of and wondered at, is either the Gentile church, which, before the gospel was brought thither, was much like a desert and wilderness; to which it is frequently compared in the prophecies of Isaiah; see chapter 32:15, 16 and 35:1, 6 and her coming out of the wilderness, may signify her conversion to the faith of Christ: or else, the springing up of a new church may be here intended; and, because an Arabic word is here made use of, Brightman thinks it intends the conversion of the eastern part of the world, Arabia, Persia, Egypt, Assyria, and refers it to the prophecy in 25, though rather the bride, who is all along spoken of in this song, is here meant; who had attained to a greater degree of faith, and had larger experiences of Christ's love, and was allowed a more intimate communion with him; and is described here,
1st, By her ascent from the wilderness, The Septuagint read the words thus, "Who is this that cometh up in white,[4268] or clothed in white?" though there is nothing in the Hebrew text to favor such a version; yet this appears to be the apparel of the church in other places, especially in the book of the Revelation, chapter 3:4, 5 and and 19:8, where she is said to be "arrayed in fine linen, clean and white;" which fine linen is said to be "the righteousness of the saints," etc. that which Christ has wrought out for them, and is by an act of God's grace imputed to them; for their own righteousness doth not deserve the name of "fine linen, clean and white;" that being at best but as "filthy rags, and as an unclean thing." But the words are better rendered, "Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness?" by which may be intended, either, her conversion from a state of nature, her being called and chosen out of the world: or her deliverance out of some great affliction as the saints are said to "come out of great tribulation," (Revelation 7:14). But of all this, see more on chapter 3:6.
2dly, She is described by her posture, in this her ascent out of the wilderness, "leaning upon her beloved;" which is expressive of much confidence in him, and familiarity with him which she was allowed by him to use, and which she might, without justly incurring either shame or reproach; for he, on whose arm she leaned, stood in a near relation to her, being both her husband and her brother. The word translated leaning, is only used in this place, and is differently rendered: 1. Some, among which are Many Jewish interpreters,[4269] from the use of the word in the Arabic language render it, joining or associating, or cleaving to her beloved: the church had given up herself to Christ, to be his for ever; was resolved, through grace to abide with him, and to go with him, whithersoever he went; that act of faith in God's people, which, in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 8:5), is expressed by a giving up of themselves to the Lord, to serve, honor, and glorify his name, is frequently expressed in the Old Testament (Isaiah 56:3, 6; Jeremiah 50:5), by a joining of themselves unto him; which, when they have done, they cleave unto him with full "purpose of heart;" resolving, with Ruth, that where he goes, they will go; where he lodges, they will lodge; that his people shall he their people, and his God their God; nay, that in the strength of his. grace, they will abide with him, and by his interest even unto death. 2. Others read the words thus, rejoicing or delighting herself "in her beloved;"[4270] which sense the Vulgate Latin seems to have a regard to, as well as expresses the sense of our version, by reading the words thus, deliciis affluens, innixa super dilectum suum, "flowing with delights, leaning upon her beloved;" as does also the Targum, which thus paraphrases the words, and they shall delight themselves in the mercy of the Lord: Christ and his church take mutual delight and pleasure in each other; as she is fair and pleasant for delights in his esteem, so he is in hers: saints delight themselves much in taking a view of his personal glory, in his comparable beauty, transcendent excellencies, inexhaustible fullness, and unsearchable riches; it is not only their duty to "rejoice in the Lord always;" but this interwoven in the very make, frame, and constitution of their souls, as renewed by grace: hence they are said to be "the circumcision which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh," (Philippians 3:3). 3. The Septuagint render it, "strengthening herself upon her beloved," that is, being conscious of her own weakness and ability to perform the duties of religion, withstand the temptations of Satan, escape the snares of this world, and hold on and continue in her Christian race, she applied herself to Christ; in whom she saw both "righteousness and strength" for her; and from whom she received both; the one as her clothing, the other as her armor; the one as her title for glory, the other to enable her to hold out until she arrived thither. 4. Others translate the words thus, "casting herself upon her beloved:"[4271] sensible souls will cast themselves at the feet of Christ for mercy, and into the arms of Christ for safety, shelter and security; they will cast their burdens upon the Lord, to be eased from them by him, who has promised to sustain them; and they will cast their care upon him, knowing that he careth for them; nay, they will venture their souls upon him, and commit the whole affair of their salvation to him; as undoubtedly the church did here. 5. Our version reads it, "leaning on her beloved;"[4272] which is the use of the word in the Ethiopic language:[4273] confidence and trust in our own strength; wisdom and righteousness, is sometimes expressed by leaning thereunto, as in Job 18:15; Proverbs 3:5; and so is faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, by leaning on him (see Isaiah 50:10). By faith believers lean upon Christ's person, for their acceptance with God; upon his righteousness, for their justification before him; upon his fullness, for every day's supply; and unto his blood, for pardon and cleansing: who is such a staff or prop as will never deceive them; upon which they may venture to lay the whole stress of their Salvation, as it seems the church did here. The attitude in which the church was seen, seems to be this: she appeared coming up from the wilderness, arm in arm with her beloved, her arm under his armhole: for a word from this here used, signifies "the arm-hole;"[4274] which was expressive of great freedom, familiarity and fellowship with her beloved, and of her close affection to him, firm trust in him, and dependence on him.