Read Song of Songs 5:1
Questions from the Scripture text: Where does the Beloved say He has come (Song of Songs 5:1a)? What three things does He call her? Whose? What has He gathered (verse 1b)? Whose? What has He eaten (verse 1c)? Whose? What has He drunk (verse 1d)? Whose? Whom does He call (verse 1e, g) to also do what (verse 1e)? What else does He also call them also to do (verse 1f)?
How does Christ answer the prayers of the bride? Song of Songs 5:1 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ answers the prayers of the bride instantly and abundantly.
The bride’s last request was that the Beloved would come to His garden and eat its pleasant fruits. Behold, how He answers while her words still hang in the air. He declares her to be His: His garden, that produces the pleasant fruits; His sister, Who is near to Him and like nature with Him; His spouse, Who is united and bound to Him forever. Behold how quickly the Lord Jesus comes to His own, when they ask.
He answers not only quickly, but abundantly. She asked only that He would come and eat, but He answers that He has also gathered. Her myrrh and spice, her likeness to Him, is His own, and He has gathered. And He has drunk, both the wine of refreshment and celebration, and the milk of nourishment—He has been satisfied with every sort of good thing from His bride.
What a comfort it is to the church, when the Lord comes to her and communicates, by His Word and Spirit, that He is indeed present with her, and the He is indeed pleased with her! Such a season in the life of the church is to be much sought after, and much rejoiced over and thanked for.
Finally, we see that He answers not just the bride corporately, but the members of the church individually. Elsewhere, the bride has called them the “daughters of Jerusalem,” but here, He calls them “friends” and “beloved ones.” That in which the Lord Jesus delights, He gives to His beloved ones to delight in. He needs no benefit from the church, but He invites His friends to enjoy the same provision, strengthening, refreshing, and nourishment that He has sampled with such pleasure. Where Christ enjoys the fruits of His work in the church, He calls believers to come and enjoy and benefit.
What fruit and fragrance (graces) is your church producing that Christ enjoys? What sense, or evidence, do you have of His pleasure in it from Scripture? How are you answering His summons to eat, drink, and enjoy it yourself?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for the fruit and fragrance that Your Spirit produces in Your church. And thank You for answering our prayers for Your presence and pleasure in her. Now, grant that we would answer Your summons to eat and drink from what Your church has to offer, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”
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