2:8. "Listen! The voice of my Beloved! Behold, He comes, leaping across the mountains--bounding over the hills."

The Church appears in the attitude of charmed attention. She listens, and rapturously exclaims, "It is the voice of my Beloved!" She then lifts up her eyes, and she beholds Him drawing near in activity and haste. Mountains and hills may intervene, but over them He bounds. No hindrances retard His happy coming.

May these contemplations expand our spiritual perceptions!

The Church hears a voice, which instantly she recognizes. The believer's joy is to listen to the voice of Jesus. Frequent should be the prayer, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears." The assurance will be verified, "My Sheep hear My voice." It is in the pages of God's Word, that this voice sweetly sounds. How many are the calls--how tender are the promises--how sustaining are the assurances! In them the Savior speaks. The believer drinks them in with joy; and as in succession they are heard, he delightedly exclaims, "It is the voice of my Beloved!"

No music can be sweeter to the ear. It is the very melody of heaven. Let us ever listen and partake of the raptures, which bless the hearing ear. "Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake. I am ready to make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the mercies and unfailing love that I promised to David." Isaiah 55:3

The ear thus listens, and the eyes, also, are ravished with an enchanting sight. Jesus appears in all eager haste drawing near. Faith sees this fact in His coming to assume His people's nature. Obstacles and difficulties raise their head in formidable array. Satan and all his legion muster their forces to prevent. But zeal for His Father's glory, and love for His people's souls, triumphantly bear Him onward. Over every mountain and over every hill of intervening obstacle He bounds forward.

So, also, He comes to enter hearts--to invigorate grace--to fill with joys unspeakable. Indifference may strive to close the door. Unbelief may present a gigantic barrier. But in vain. "He comes, leaping across the mountains--bounding over the hills!"

2:9. "My beloved is like a gazelle or a young deer--behold, He stands behind our wall--He looks forth at the windows, showing Himself through the lattice."

Manifestations of Christ's presence do not always shine in unclouded luster. Sometimes He partially retires, and is for a while obscured. Like the timid creatures of the chase, He seems to seek a temporary concealment. "He hides Himself behind our wall." We know to whom the blame is due. Evil passions have been indulged--faith has dwindled--the earnestness of prayer has been relaxed--the rich pastures of Gospel-ordinances have been neglected. The sad effect is sure.

But the hidings of His face are not desertion. "He hates divorce." "I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not completely destroyed."

We instantly perceive that His withdrawal has ceased, and He has entered the dwelling. "He looks forth at the windows, showing Himself through the lattice." Jesus will make it apparent, that absence is not congenial to Him; that His delight is to dwell with His people. Let our cries ever invite Him to rest in His love. Let us plead His Word, "Abide in Me, and I in you." Let us listen to the grand teaching, "He that has My commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves Me; and he that loves Me shall be loved of My Father; and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him."