II. The notice which the companions take of her
II. The notice which the companions take of her
They hearken to her voice: in which may be inquired, 1st, Who are meant by the companions, 2dly, What by their hearkening to her voice.
1st, These companions may be taken either in a bad sense or in a good sense. If in a bad sense, as in chapter 1:7, then by them we are to understand false teachers, who pretend to be the companions and friends of Christ; who artfully insinuate themselves into churches, and would have them believe, they "are aiming at the advancement of the same cause and interest," and mean the game thing as they do; and thus, with feigned words, they introduce their damnable heresies, and make merchandise of the souls of men; they listen to the church's words and doctrines, to catch and carp at, wrest and pervert, use and improve, to answer their own ends and purposes: now these words may be considered as a caution given by Christ to the church to beware of them, as he did to his disciples (Matthew 7:15) and as Paul did to the elders of Ephesus (Acts 20:29, 31), seeing they were listening to what she said, not out of good, but ill will; yet notwithstanding he would not have her be silent, but, says he, cause me to hear it, or cause to hear me; that is, preach me boldly and openly, in no wise being afraid of them; for he would not have her speak so softly to him, that the companions which listened might not hear, as R. Aben Ezra on the text observes; no; for, says he, "what I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light; and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the house-tops," (Matthew 10:27), but yet with a proper guard, upon themselves, both with respect to open and secret enemies. Though I rather think, that we are to understand these companions in a good sense: by whom may be meant, either, 1. God the Father, and God the Holy Ghost;[4318] who are both the companions of Christ; for "there are three that hear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one," (1 John 5:7), they are of one nature and essence, possess the same perfections, are partners in the same works both of nature and grace, and equally share the glory which results from thence; now these divine persons listen to what the church and poor believers say; "They that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard it," (Malachi 3:16). Or else; 2. The holy angels may be here intended, as many interpreters,[4319] both Jewish and Christian, think; these are the friends and companions of the saints; as well as of Christ; they are reconciled to them through Christ; are willing to perform all the offices of friendship to them; they rejoice at their conversion, bring messages of peace and comfort to them; acknowledge themselves to be their fellow-servants, and are ministering spirits unto those who are the heirs of salvation: not to enter upon the consideration of that question, whether every man hath his angel to attend upon him; which I must confess I am somewhat inclined to believe, there being some scriptures which seem to furnish us with some proofs of it, as Matthew 18:10; Acts 12:15, however this appears certain, that the saints have the angels of God attending on them; he hath given his angels charge concerning them; they encamp round about those that fear him; they are the guardians and companions of the saints in life, and at death carry their souls to glory; now these listen to what they say in their closets; in their families, in their private or public conversation, as seems manifest from Ecclesiastes 5:6, they wait upon the public assemblies of the saints, and hearken to the voice of the gospel, as delivered by the ministers of it; hence that direction is given by the apostle (1 Corinthians 11:10), for the woman to cover her head in the time of public worship: the angels get much of their knowledge in, and acquaintance with the great mysteries of grace and salvation, from what they hear from the church (Ephesians 3:10), and it is with much constancy, diligence, and earnestness, that they desire to look into these things (1 Peter 1:12). Or else rather, 3. By these companions may be meant the daughters of Jerusalem, who all along attended the bride in this song; who are the virgins, her companions, as they are called (Psalm 45:14), by which young converts more especially may be understood; who listen with a great deal of affection and attention to what the church, or older and more experienced Christians say; though all believers in general may well come under this title of companions, as it is given to them (Psalm 122:8), for David, though he was so great a man, and in such an exalted station of life, yet did not disdain to be called "a companion of all them that fear God," (Psalm 119:63). Now the saints may be said to be companions of each other for these following reasons: (1.) Because they are interested in one and the same covenant, of which Christ is the head, surety, and mediator; and have an equal right and claim to all the blessings and promises of it. (2.) They have all one and the same Savior, are all saved in one way, and share alike in the same salvation; for which reason it is called "the common salvation," (Jude 3), not that it is common to all the world, bat only to the elect of God, who are called to be saints. (3.) They are partakers of the same grace, particularly that of faith; for the meanest saint obtains like precious faith with the greatest; the same may be said of all other graces of the Spirit; for indeed as there is but one body, of which they are all members: so there is but one spirit which actuates them all, even as they are also called in one hope of their calling (Ephesians 4:4). (4.) They are partners, and share alike in the same privileges of the gospel, to which they have all an equal right; for they are all "fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God." (5.) As companions, they frequently converse together; "they that feared the Lord, spoke often one to another;" they meet in private, and take sweet counsel together, as well as walk unto the house of God in company; they sympathize with each other in all conditions, both outward and inward; they "weep with them that weep, and rejoice with them that rejoice; they bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (6.) They are here companions together in tribulation and sufferings, as John says (Revelation 1:9), and shall be partners together in heaven, where they shall enjoy that glorious inheritance which lies among them that are sanctified.
2dly, Now these companions hearken to the voice of the church: by which may be meant, either, 1. The gospel, as preached by her ministers; which is a joyful sound, and makes delightful music in the ears of believers, which are opened and unstopped by the Spirit of God. Or, 2. The admonitions of the church, which ought to be hearkened to (17), and will be regarded by all those who wish well to Zion, who have a value and esteem for the authority of churches, and entertain mean and humble thoughts of themselves (Psalm 141:5). 3. The voice of the church in all other ordinances, and particularly that of singing, may be here intended; for the church was now bearing her part in this song with Christ; with whose voice these virgins her companions were charmed; which made them get the nearer, and more carefully listen to her: thus saints should be "teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in their hearts to the Lord," (Colossians 3:16). 4. The voice of the church, and of true believers in private conversation, is listened to by young, converts; because it is that which is good; to the use of edifying, and what ministers grace unto the hearers.