The Shulamite’s Sin Nature

As the Shulamite maiden sat with the Lover of her soul, suddenly she becomes self-conscious of her sin nature. Shame and guilt rise in her spirt due to wrongs she committed and the hurt she inflicted on others before she gave her life to Christ. She was keenly aware of her dark, tanned skin from the hard work of the vineyard.

A Country Girl

Not only that, but she lives on the wrong side of the tracks. She is just a redneck country girl from the obscure town of nowhere. Shuman. No one knows where that is.

How could she compete with the other girls who pursued this Shepherd? How could he accept her? She had nothing to offer. He had everything and was perfect in every way.

She is aware her human spirit is dark and compares herself to the Tents of Kedar. In ancient times the tent was enclosed on three sides by black animal skins of goats or black fabric. Dark and uninviting.

Not only that, but her brothers mistreat her and are always angry with her for no reason. They make her tend their vineyards and other endeavors that don’t concern her. Their vineyards are always pruned and disease free. The vines produced succulent, sweet grapes. The juice and wine always win awards at the state fair. The fruit brings top dollar as wine producers seek out their vintage.

Her Neglected Vineyard

But her vineyard suffered. Fruit production nonexistent. The neglected vineyard waits. She is never able to finish the pruning. Some vines grow on the ground without trellis support.

Each spring the vines come to life with new leaves and new growth. Her hopes soar with the possibility that this year could be different. She would get up earlier and work longer. She knew that her effort and nurture could easily outproduce her brothers’ vineyards.

But at the end of the season reality hit in despair and disappointment, as her brothers’ got awards for their fine wine.

Her kind nature made it difficult for her to say no to them, especially because of their anger and harsh words. She feared the consequences of mistreatment if she did not do as they insisted. They never had anything good to say about her. She felt powerless to stand up to their harsh demands and chose to stay compliant in order to keep peace in the family. She tried to care for her own responsibilities but the hours in the day grew short and her mother needed her to help with meal preparation in the evening.

In her heart she resented them for mistreating her. Couldn’t they see the hard work that she did for them? They never gave her credit for her skill and knowledge in viticulture. All her efforts were for their benefit. And the certainly didn’t understand her devotion to the Shepherd King.

Grace to Continue

Suddenly she remembers the curtains of Solomon’s temple, radiant and white. Also reminiscent of Revelation 19:7-9, describing the Bride of Christ, dressed in fine linen, dazzling and white heralding the righteousness of the saints. Then she realizes that she is beautiful and attractive only through the acceptance found in her Beloved Savior and the transformations he performed in her heart.

Her heart is filled with joy at the thought of righteous living through the power of the Holy Spirit living within her.

© 2024 Nanette M. Holloway—All Rights Reserved

John 15 echos the Song of Solomon as we abide in Christ. Get my devotional: