The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.
I conceive that at this verse is the beginning of a new subject. Probably some short space might take place between this and the former. The Church appears to be in great delight in hearing the voice of Jesus. And indeed, when Christ speaks in the word, and by the word, there is such a sweetness, power, efficacy, and grace accompanying it, that it cannot but delight the soul of a believer. It is observable, that the church knew whose voice it was. She could and did distinguish it from all others. So Jesus hath marked his people. His sheep know his voice and follow him, a stranger will they not follow. John 10:3-14. And it is further observable, that the church heard Christ's voice, before she said she beheld his person. A sweet thought ariseth from hence. Jesus may be out of the believer's sight; but yet the believer can discern him in his word, from its power and gracious influences. Reader! it is a privilege which none but God the Holy Ghost bestows, to know how to discern the voice of Jesus, from the errors of the present day. David hath left upon record a blessed testimony to this great truth. I shall never forget thy precepts, for with them thou hast quickened me. Psalms 119:93. The church calls upon others to behold him with her. He cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. Old Testament saints were always by faith upon the lookout for his promised advent. He that should come, was the well-known character by which the Lord was in all ages expected. So that the church is here speaking of his approach in the general acceptation of it, in respect to his first coming in substance of our flesh. But over and above this general view of Jesus, no doubt the church had an eye also to his private and personal manifestation. Mountains and hills; yea, even the mountains of sin, and the hills of unbelief in our nature, shall not obstruct his sweet visits to his people; for his love and grace will cause him to leap over all. Reader! think for your encouragement, and let the thought bear both your mind and mine up in the blessedness of it, that as no discouragements kept Jesus back from coming for the salvation of his redeemed, so nothing shall arise to keep him hack from fully accomplishing their deliverance. All the mountains of divine wrath against sin, and all the terrors of a broken law falling like hills upon the mind and conscience; yea, and all the hidings of his Father's countenance for a season, could not restrain the Lord from coming to satisfy God's justice, and to ransom his captives. So neither now shall anything separate his people from his love, though their rebellion and slights of him are so very strong in testimony of their unworthiness. Jesus doth come, and will come speedily; as in his first appearance in our flesh, so in all the after visits of his grace and Holy Spirit; and, ere long, finally, and fully to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe. 2 Thessalonians 1:10.