Song of Solomon 2:14

In its primary application it is a prophecy of Christ, the Messiah of Israel. He is wooing to Himself the heart of the Jewish remnant, after the Church has been caught up to glory... But the love of the Lord to Israel, His earthly bride, is only a shadow or reflection of His deeper love to His heavenly bride. When we realize this, we find immense profit in applying these beautiful figures to ourselves.

Even today, while waiting for the Lord, His people have enemies to oppose, and storms to face. But grace has provided a hiding place and a shelter from the storm. As we read, "A Man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land" (Isa. 32:1-2). In the cleft of that Rock — the Man Christ Jesus, with the pierced side — how safe from the storm are the Lord's poor people, who are much like a timid dove.

No bird of prey can ever harm her there. All the vultures of hell cannot touch a feather of her wing. She is far above their highest flight. But might she lose her hold some day, in an unguarded moment, and at last fall to those who are seeking to devour her? If her security depended in the least degree on her holding fast, all would be lost in a moment. But, bless God, everything depends on the hold which Jesus has. It is the rock that holds her, not she that holds the rock.

But her voice is sweet to her Beloved, and He loves to hear it. It still sounds like the mournful note of the dove that sits alone, mourning for its mate. Her face is lovely: she is beautiful to Him, however marred by persecution, suffering, and trial. And He seeks to see her — to hear her; oh, deepest, tenderest, kindest love!

Despite all her obvious shortcomings, the bride appears in the blameless character of the dove. Then as to safety, she is in the clefts of the Rock of Ages. As to approach, she is not in the secret places of the stairs, as the King James Version puts it, but in the secret of the stairs. Stairs are for access to a higher place, and so the bride knows well the way and privilege of access... The literal meaning of the Greek word translated "boldness" is "freedom of speech." How wonderful that the believer should have perfect freedom of speech before One in whose presence, in an earlier age, everyone fell down speechless!

Thank God for the moment when a soul first speaks words to Jesus, words that He loves to hear ("Let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet," Song of Solomon 2:14). These are not merely the cry of distress, but words of praise, thanksgiving, and worship from an overwhelming sense of His love and goodness.

The King has expressed His longing to see the face of His bride, and to hear her voice. But foxes and their young spoil the vineyards as they break into bloom. In the same way, evils of a secret and subtle nature may often be at work, hindering the bride from refreshing the heart of the King.