21st April 2026

21st April 2026


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Song of Solomon 8v8-10) 


Message (Scott Woodburn) 


The Shulammite and the Shepherd had finally become one flesh but they didn't yet ride off into the sunset. They had a little sister who had not yet reached maturity (8v8) and so the couple wondered what they would do for her when the day arrived that a man came knocking.


True wisdom is found in the fear of God (Proverbs 1v7) and gracious wise words are as sweet as honey (Proverbs 16v24). The truly wise will give God's wisdom freely to all who who hear it and so the new couple were prepared to pass their experience and wisdom to their little sister. Their goal was to aid this young girl to resist the temptations and pitfalls of a sinful world. The Shulammite had stood as firm as a wall against Solomon's call (8v10) and her breasts were like towers to which the King had no access and in all of this she was no prude or woman to be pitied but a woman of peace (8v10b).


Would the Shulammite's little sister follow this example? How would she respond if a future King arrived to take her to his hareem? Perhaps against such temptation the little sister would echo the Shulammite and be like a wall standing firm against the seductions of this harlot world (8v9a). If so the Shulammite and the Shepherd would make her even stronger and build upon her a battlement of silver. On the other hand if the little sister was like a door and showed openness to Solomon's seductions, the couple would enclose her all around with strong boards of cedar. Whatever the future held the happy couple were determined to prepare the next generation for the realities of this world.


These two verses are at first glance a little bit odd but when understood they are entirely practical. Brothers and sisters, do not neglect to share God's wisdom with the next generation and although having conversations about the "birds and the bees" might cause you to blush, if you are not prepared to speak on these things the world will certainly fill the void. This world sees sex as the ultimate expression of human freedom and everything around us is highly sexualised and full of temptation. If the next generation are walls then help build them higher and if they are doors then block all access. God is not silent on these issues and we should not be either. Speak wisdom to the next generation and show them Christ - in Him there is fulness of joy and peace.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q47 What is forbidden in the first commandment? The first commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying, the true God as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to him alone.