The vines with the tender grape - The versions understand this of the flowers of the vine. These were formerly put into the new wine (2 lbs. to every cask) to give it a fine flavour.

John Gill's Bible Commentary

Theopompus speaks of figs in the middle of the spring. This tree puts forth its fruit at once, and does not flower or blossom f151 , wherefore ( Habakkuk 3:17) is wrongly translated; (see Gill on “ Habakkuk 3:17”): though Arianus speaks of its flowering: Aben Ezra thinks the word signifies the sweetening of the figs, and so points at the time when they are sweet and eatable. By the “fig tree” may be meant the saints putting forth their grace in exercise on Christ, who may be compared to fig trees for their leaves and fruit, and for the putting forth the latter before the former f153 ; for the fig tree is a tree full of large leaves, which may be an emblem of a profession of religion, and of a conversation agreeably to it, which yet are no covering, only the righteousness of Christ is that, yet ought to be and are ornamental; and for the fruit of it, which is wholesome, pleasant, and delightful, as are the fruits of the Spirit, the fruits of grace and righteousness, fruits meet for repentance, which ought to appear before a profession of religion is made. If the Egyptian fig tree is meant, that is a very fruitful tree; it is said to bear fruit seven times a year, but ripens no other way than by scratching it with iron hooks f154 ; and its wood cut down and cast into water, being dry, sinks, but when thoroughly wet will swim. Saints should bear fruit always, and ever continue to do so, even to old age; nor do any ever become fruitful until their hearts have been pricked and cut by the word of God; and they never grow better, or are more fruitful, than when attended with afflictions and tribulations; when they first enter into the waters of affliction, like Peter, they sink, but, when more used to them, they lift up their heads above them, and bear up with great courage and resolution. By the “green figs” may be meant the beginnings of grace in the soul, some stirrings of affection to Christ, desires of knowledge of him, pantings and breathings after his ordinances, love to his people; all which appear soon, are very imperfect, and, like unripe figs, liable to be shaken off; and it is a miracle of grace that the first impressions of it are not destroyed by the force of corruption and temptation; and it may be observed, that grace in its first appearance, though but small, is not despised, but taken notice of by Christ: yea, he makes use of it as exercised by young converts to stir up old professors, as here the church, to be more active and vigorous in it; and the vines [with] the tender grape give a [good] smell ; or “being in flower give a good smell” f155 , as the word is used in the Targum in ( Isaiah 18:5); and that vines do flower appears from the same place, and from ( Genesis 40:10); as well as is observed by naturalists and others f156 ; and these flowers, and not the tender grapes, emit a sweet smell; and, as some say f157 , not in the vineyards only, but in the country round about; and these are fitly mentioned next to figs, since the black fig is by some called the sister of the vine f158 . By the vines may be intended distinct congregated churches of Christ, or particular believers; vines are very weak; and cannot bear up of themselves, must be fixed to some place, and be supported by something else; and being supported, will run up a great height, and bring forth much fruit. So saints are weak in themselves, and cannot support themselves; their strength is in Christ, and they are upheld by him, and have their dependence on him; and being supported by him they grow up to the stature of the fulness of Christ; and through their grafting into him, and abiding in him the true vine, bring forth much fruit to the glory of God, and such as is not to be found in others. The wood of the vine is of very little worth or use, ( Ezekiel 15:2,3); and yet is very lasting. Pliny ascribes a sort of an eternity to it. Believers in Christ, however weak and worthless they are in themselves, as are their best works and services, yet being in Christ they shall abide in him for ever, and never perish, but have everlasting life. And by the “tender grapes”, or “flowers”, may be designed either the graces of the spirit, as before; or rather young converts, the fruit of Christ’s vines, the churches, who, though weak and tender, yet are dear to Christ; and when there is a large appearance of them, it is a great encouragement to churches, and promises a glorious vintage. And the “smell” of these vines, with their grapes and flowers, may intend the fragrancy, of believers through the righteousness of Christ on them, and the odour of their graces, as exercised on him; and the sweet savour of their godly conversation, observed by all about them. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away ; repeated from ( Song of Solomon 2:10); which shows sluggishness on the part of the church, that she needed one exhortation after another; and great love on the part of Christ, that notwithstanding this he persists in calling her; and even importunity in him, that he will have no denial f160 : and it may be observed, that what is entertaining to most of the senses is mentioned to engage the church to arise and go along with her beloved; the flowery fields would be pleasing to her eye, the chirping birds to her ear, the sweet and ripening figs to her taste, and the refreshing odour of the vines to her smell.

Matthew Henry Commentary

Song 2:1-7 Believers are beautiful, as clothed in the righteousness of Christ; and fragrant, as adorned with the graces of his Spirit; an they thrive under the refreshing beams of the Sun of righteousness. The lily is a very noble plant in the East; it grows to a considerabl height, but has a weak stem. The church is weak in herself, yet is strong in Him that supports her. The wicked, the daughters of thi world, who have no love to Christ, are as thorns, worthless an useless, noxious and hurtful. Corruptions are thorns in the flesh; but the lily now among thorns, shall be transplanted into that paradis where there is no brier or thorn. The world is a barren tree to the soul; but Christ is a fruitful one. And when poor souls are parche with convictions of sin, with the terrors of the law, or the trouble of this world, weary and heavy laden, they may find rest in Christ. It is not enough to pass by this shadow, but we must sit down under it Believers have tasted that the Lord Jesus is gracious; his fruits ar all the precious privileges of the new covenant, purchased by his blood, and communicated by his Spirit; promises are sweet to believer, and precepts also. Pardons are sweet, and peace of conscienc sweet. If our mouths are out of taste for the pleasures of sin, Divin consolations will be sweet to us. Christ brings the soul to seek and to find comforts through his ordinances, which are as a banqueting-hous where his saints feast with him. The love of Christ, manifested by his death, and by his word, is the banner he displays, and believers resor to it. How much better is it with the soul when sick from love to Christ, than when surfeited with the love of this world! And thoug Christ seemed to have withdrawn, yet he was even then a very presen help. All his saints are in his hand, which tenderly holds their achin heads. Finding Christ thus nigh to her, the soul is in great care tha her communion with him is not interrupted. We easily grieve the Spiri by wrong tempers. Let those who have comfort, fear sinning it away.

Song 2:8-13 The church pleases herself with thoughts of furthe communion with Christ. None besides can speak to the heart. She see him come. This may be applied to the prospect the Old Testament saint had of Christ's coming in the flesh. He comes as pleased with his ow undertaking. He comes speedily. Even when Christ seems to forsake, it is but for a moment; he will soon return with everlastin loving-kindness. The saints of old saw him, appearing through the sacrifices and ceremonial institutions. We see him through a glas darkly, as he manifests himself through the lattices. Christ invite the new convert to arise from sloth and despondency, and to leave sin and worldly vanities, for union and communion with him. The winter ma mean years passed in ignorance and sin, unfruitful and miserable, or storms and tempests that accompanied his conviction of guilt an danger. Even the unripe fruits of holiness are pleasant unto Him whose grace has produced them. All these encouraging tokens and evidences of Divine favour, are motives to the soul to follow Christ more fully Arise then, and come away from the world and the flesh, come int fellowship with Christ. This blessed change is owing wholly to the approaches and influences of the Sun of righteousness.

Song 2:14-17 The church is Christ's dove; she returns to him, as he Noah. Christ is the Rock, in whom alone she can think herself safe, an find herself easy, as a dove in the hole of a rock, when struck at by the birds of prey. Christ calls her to come boldly to the throne of grace, having a great High Priest there, to tell what her request is Speak freely, fear not a slight or a repulse. The voice of prayer is sweet and acceptable to God; those who are sanctified have the bes comeliness. The first risings of sinful thoughts and desires, the beginnings of trifling pursuits which waste the time, trifling visits small departures from truth, whatever would admit some conformity to the world; all these, and many more, are little foxes which must be removed. This is a charge to believers to mortify their sinfu appetites and passions, which are as little foxes, that destroy their graces and comforts, and crush good beginnings. Whatever we find hinderance to us in that which is good, we must put away. He feedet among the lilies; this shows Christ's gracious presence amon believers. He is kind to all his people. It becomes them to believ this, when under desertion and absence, and so to ward off temptations The shadows of the Jewish dispensation were dispelled by the dawning of the gospel day. And a day of comfort will come after a night of desertion. Come over the mountains of Bether, "the mountains tha divide," looking forward to that day of light and love. Christ wil come over every separating mountain to take us home to himself __________________________________________________________________

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