Song of Solomon 3:6
(CANTICLE III)—THE BRIDEGROOM WITH THE BRIDE.
Historically, the ministry of Jesus Christ on earth. (Son. 3:6-5:1)
New scene (Song of Solomon 3:6-11). The friends of the Bridegroom see a cortege approach. His palanquin and guard.
cometh out—rather, "up from"; the wilderness was lower than Jerusalem [MAURER].
pillars of smoke—from the perfumes burned around Him and His bride. Image from Israel and the tabernacle (answering to "bed," Song of Solomon 3:7) marching through the desert with the pillar of smoke by day and fire by night (Exodus 14:20), and the pillars of smoke ascending from the altars of incense and of atonement; so Jesus Christ's righteousness, atonement, and ever-living intercession. Balaam, the last representative of patriarchism, was required to curse the Jewish Church, just as it afterwards would not succumb to Christianity without a struggle (Numbers 22:41), but he had to bless in language like that here (Numbers 24:5-6). Angels too joyfully ask the same question, when Jesus Christ with the tabernacle of His body (answering to "His bed," Song of Solomon 3:7; John 1:14, "dwelt," Greek "tabernacled," John 2:21) ascends into heaven (Psalms 24:8-10); also when they see His glorious bride with Him (Psalms 68:18; Revelation 7:13-17). Encouragement to her; amid the darkest trials (Song of Solomon 3:1), she is still on the road to glory (Song of Solomon 3:11) in a palanquin "paved with love" (Song of Solomon 3:10); she is now in soul spiritually "coming," exhaling the sweet graces, faith, love, joy, peace, prayer, and praise; (the fire is lighted within, the "smoke" is seen without, Acts 4:13); it is in the desert of trial (Song of Solomon 3:1-3) she gets them; she is the "merchant" buying from Jesus Christ without money or price (Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 3:18); just as myrrh and frankincense are got, not in Egypt, but in the Arabian sands and the mountains of Palestine. Hereafter she shall "come" (Song of Solomon 3:6, Song of Solomon 3:11) in a glorified body, too (Philippians 3:21). Historically, Jesus Christ returning from the wilderness, full of the Holy Ghost (Luke 4:1, Luke 4:14). The same, "Who is this," etc. (Isaiah 63:1, Isaiah 63:5).
