The Shulamite and the Shepherd

7:10  “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me.”

This is one of the most wonderful statements in the Word of God!  As we study this verse, let us rejoice in its doctrine.  In response to the king’s seductions, the Shulamite announces once and for all that she belongs to her beloved and no one else.  No seductions in the world can persuade her to be untrue to him.  May God help us to be as consecrated in our Christian lives. 

When a person is born-again, a relationship with Christ is immediately established and a union formed.  This union is clearly illustrated in the marriage relationship.  In Genesis 2:24 we read, “Therefore, shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”  When a man and woman enter into holy matrimony, an eternal union is established.  Divorce is not an “easy out” as some deem it to be in our day.  When discussing the divorce, Jesus had the following statement to say, “And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife:  And they twain shall be one flesh?  Wherefore they are no more twain but one flesh.  What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder”  (Matthew 19:3-6).

The Shulamite addresses her relationship with her beloved shepherd.  In her statement recorded in verse 10, we learn specific truths in regard to their union.  These truths may also be applied to the union that exists between Christ and New Testament saints today.   Let us examine 4 Parallel Truths in the unions between the Shulamite and the shepherd and Christ and believers.

• Our Relationship Is Personal

The first parallel truth is found in the beginning of the verse, “I am my beloved’s--”  You will notice the personal pronouns; “I” and “my” are used in this verse.  Just as the Shulamite personalized her relationship to her beloved, so each individual must personalize Jesus Christ.  Christ is no benefit to you unless you claim Him personally as Savior and Lord.  No one can be saved apart from trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ  (Romans 10:9-10).

Sadly, many folks believe they are right with God because their parents or grandparents are saved.  This is not taught in the Word of God.  Salvation is personal;  it is made possible only by grace through faith;  you cannot be saved apart from believing in the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Here are just a few verses of Scripture to support this important teaching.

• John 6:44-47 – “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:  and I will raise him up at the last day.  It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God.  Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.  Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”
• Romans 10:9-10 – “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;  and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
• Romans 10:13 – “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord sh