25th April 2026

25th April 2026


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Song of Solomon 8v13-14) 


Message (Scott Woodburn) 


The Song of Solomon didn't end with a description of a marriage ceremony or how the happy couple decorated their bathroom. Instead the Shulammite and Shepherd gave us one last glimpse of the intimacy that both were prepared to fight for. Their journey had been an uncertain one and yet they had come from the wilderness arm in arm - their relationship was now secure.


As for the Shepherd, he had one final request for his Bride - he asked to hear her voice (18v13). Relationships are much more than physical intimacy and the Shulammite herself had made that clear earlier in the Song as she described the Shepherd as her beloved and her friend. It is wonderfully fitting therefore that when all was said and done, the Shepherd desired to hear the voice of the woman he loved.


The Shulammite desired something else in her final words - she called upon her beloved to come to her quickly like a gazelle or stag on the mountain of spices (8v14). It appears that she was once again calling for physical intimacy. She had waited for so long to be with her husband and as the Song ended now she longs to feel his touch.


There is much to be said about human relationships and every relationship will know the highs and lows of life in a fallen world as fallen people seek to relate to one another. Yet the Song of Solomon directs us to a right emphasis which we see evidenced between the two main figures in the book. Relationships between husband and wife need a wise combination of both the physical and the emotional with further serious attention paid to the spiritual.


I'm certain that Solomon wasn't the hero of this book but I am thankful that the wise King never lost his wisdom. He once said that a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4v12) and I believe firmly that every relationship from marriage to friendship to work would benefit if Christ was always the third strand. May all of our relationships be different than those we see in the world around us and may Christ be honoured in how we live and love. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q51 What is forbidden in the second commandment? The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in his Word.
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