7th April 2026

7th April 2026


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Song of Solomon 5v10-6v2) 


Message (Scott Woodburn) 


Many in Solomon's hareem probably thought the Shulammite was just being awkward. She had been brought from a fairly tough life to the safety and comfort of Solomon's care - why didn't she just get with the programme and become one of Solomon's women? The daughters of Jerusalem asked "What is your beloved more than another beloved, O most beautiful among women? What is your beloved more than another beloved, that you thus adjure us?" (5v9).


Her answer was another glowing example of her love and commitment to the Shepherd. Look at how she described him "My beloved is radiant and ruddy, distinguished among ten thousand. His head is the finest gold; his locks are wavy, black as a raven. His eyes are like doves beside streams of water,bathed in milk, sitting beside a full pool. His cheeks are like beds of spices, mounds of sweet-smelling herbs. His lips are lilies, dripping liquid myrrh. His arms are rods of gold, set with jewels. His body is polished ivory, bedecked with sapphires. His legs are alabaster columns, set on bases of gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem." (5v10-16).


That's extraordinary isn't it? Solomon had arrived in his golden love carriage and had done his best to woo the Shulammite but she didn't want to be just another number in Solomon's long list of sexual conquests, she wanted her beloved. It may cause our cheeks to redden but the Shulammite wanted sexual intimacy with the Shepherd. She compared his body to polished ivory, she talked about the sweetness of his mouth and she described him as altogether desirable. This was a woman who longed to be in bed with the man of her dreams.


As Christians we have long been seen as dinosaurs who hate sex and don't want anyone else to have any fun, but that is simply not true. The Christian position is that physical intimacy is a gift from God to be enjoyed within the confines of the marital bed. Scripture only knows marriage between one man and one woman who become "one flesh" (Genesis 2v24) as they know one another physically.


Sexual intimacy isn't the be all and end all - we'll think in the future about something deeper that all relationships must have, but sexual intimacy is important within the confines of a marriage. Two things to finish. Firstly, parents explain all of this to your children. They will grow up in a world where no one should wait to have sex and no one should be limited by things like marriage and covenantal faithfulness. Teach your family that sex is good but educate them as to where the boundaries lie.


Secondly, to couples whose love has grown somewhat cold in the bedroom. Brothers and sisters, do not let this state of affairs continue. It is good at times to refrain from sex and to devote yourselves to prayer (1 Corinthians 7v5) but at other times we should freely and happily give ourselves physically to our spouse (1 Corinthians 7v3). When this happens enjoy one another, laugh together and rejoice in the gift of physical intimacy. May the Song of Solomon reignite the fire in your marriage.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q35 What is sanctification? Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
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