The Song Of Solomon 3:9-10, “King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon. He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.”
Solomon the King of Israel possessed the authority and means to travel anywhere he pleased. He had the strength and ability to walk wherever he desired. If Solomon desired to walk on any path or road throughout Israel, he would do so without resistance. Yet, the one who possessed this power and authority chose to make a chariot for himself that he would be carried throughout the land so his people could view him and see the riches of the kingdom.
When we consider this portion of scripture, our minds should be stirred to think on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Glorious King of Israel (His people). The Lord, in His sovereign power, goes and comes as He pleases. Daniel 4:35, “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” Psalm 115:3, “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” The Lord never needed man to carry Him to His people. Evidence of this fact is declared in the work of the new birth. The children of God are born again by the direct work of God. John 5:25, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” Also notice John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice,…” In each of these two verses, the work of the Lord is direct. Every sinner saved by grace, is saved by grace alone and by the Lord’s personal and direct work. Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done,…” Ephesians 2:9, “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
But our study verses tell us “Solomon made himself a chariot…” The one who walked and journeyed where he pleased, made himself a chariot that he would be carried throughout Israel to be seen by the people. The chariot was made so that Israel could view their king’s riches and beauty. The Lord of Glory, the King of ALL Israel (His people) made Himself a chariot that His people could view His glory, power and riches. The chariot is none other but the gospel. The Lord made Himself the gospel. According to Paul in Galatians 1:11, “the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.” The phrase “not after man” teaches us that the gospel was not made by man, nor was it man’s idea. The gospel is from and of the Lord. The gospel is a carrier (if you will allow the terminology) by which the beauty, glory, power and strength of the Lord is carried to His people that they may view Him clearly as their King. Notice the “wood of Lebanon” (strength); the “pillars of silver” (redemption); the “gold” (Deity); the “purple” (Kingship and authority); and “with love” (the Lord’s love He has for His people). When the gospel chariot is carried to the Lord’s people they see Him as their strength, redeemer, God, King. The gospel declares His love which He had for His people before the world was. The purpose of the gospel is similar to the chariot. It was never intended to make the Lord a King. It was never intended to make Him our King. The intent was to carry Him, Who is the and our King across the country that His people may view and know more about the/our King. Examples of this truth are found through out the Bible. Please notice John 1:45, “Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, we have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write,…” Acts 8:30-31, “And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me?…” Acts 9:17, “And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.” Acts 10:28, “And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” There are many more examples, but in each of the four cited, the reader can clearly see the people involved were all already born again children of God before the gospel was preached to them. The gospel was the means by which the child of God could view and see their King more clearly.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, the truth taught in our study verses is clear. God shall save His children by His grace. He does not need our help to get all of His people to heaven. When we all get to heaven one great and glorious day, we will glorify Him Who paid for all of our sins on the Cross of Calvary. The responsibility we have is in carrying this good news to the saved by grace. That they may understand more about Him and see clearly the work that He has done. This knowledge does not, nor will it ever, change God’s eternal work of grace, but it does bring the good news of His finished work to His little children that they may trust Him more and more until we see Him face to face in heaven above. Amen!