My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.
The former part of this verse is but a continuance of the former; in which the coming of Christ, as the Church's beloved, is compared to the swiftness and loveliness of a roe or young hart. By which, no doubt, is intended, to convey the promptness with which Jesus flies to the relief and joy of all his redeemed. It shall come to pass before they call I will answer, and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24. But it seems a very sweet addition to these features of Christ, what is said in the latter part of this verse, that Jesus standeth behind the wall, looketh forth at the windows, showing himself through the lattice. Our nature, that is our corrupt part of it, the body of flesh, of sin, and death, becomes, no doubt, a thick wall of separation. In ordinances and the several means of grace; believers get sweet glimpses of Jesus. And he, when those ordinances are refreshing by the Holy Ghost, may be said to look in upon his people. But, after all, every view of Jesus is but partial and imperfect; and he that seeth most of Christ seeth but as through a glass darkly. Yea, Jesus himself having enshrined the Godhead in a veil of flesh, is seen but behind the wall of our nature. Reader, the slightest views of Jesus are blessed, the smallest manifestations he is pleased to make of himself are gracious to the soul. Shall I venture to ask, Have you seen the king in his beauty? Hath he looked in upon you through the windows and lattices of his love, and mercy, and favour?