Word of caution!
The Shulamite's man is a man perfected and therefore He will have the characteristics and attributes of the perfect man, who is Jesus himself. These attributes are attainable through God's grace which He has promised to pour out on us abundantly. All men including the best of us have chinks in our armor that makes us to fail now and again. Please be loving and patient with us! These qualities may require years of discipline and lots of grace to be developed in a person's life. Like their progenitor who came from above, they are high and lofty goals and standards. However, every Christian man who desires to be like Jesus should strive to reach them. So I will say a word of caution to those sisters who might try to measure a man by these standards, "Be merciful for God is merciful and do not be haste to judge your man". Pray for him and help him to be the best he can be. Your man has the seed of greatness in him and will need your help to cultivate it, but he may not always be great or act in a great manner so love him through everything because that is the essence of your vows!
What is the Shulamite's beloved like?
Listen to her love poem for her beloved (Real player required)
The Shulamite's man will be simultaneously strong and gentle like The Lord Jesus and zealous for the things of God. He is rugged as was Jesus who would at times travel for a three days journey. He is not foreign to physical work like the fishermen-disciples Peter and John who later become apostles. He keeps himself in good enough physical shape in order to meet the challenges of his workday. He is a powerful man in his community like Boaz who was also a Just and kind man. There is a distinctive call over his life like Abraham and so he supports great faith and has the distinction of being known as God's friend. He is a righteous man with work and trade like Mary's husband Joseph and makes for a good provider.
He is a man of vision and Integrity like young Joseph in the Old Testament, who while serving at Photiphar's house resisted attempts to seduce him and suffered much as a consequence. He is a man who understands holiness and strives to keep himself holy. Although he can be tempted, he does not allow himself to be overtaken by lust or unlawful desires so he can be a reliable husband and partner. He respects women as created souls (and equals) and does not see them as just objects of sexual desire. He will not participate in activities that demean or portray the other sex in a negative manner, including things that are pornographic in nature. He is not moved by just outward comeliness or appearance but has enough spiritual discernment to help him make excellent decisions. He submits himself not only to God but also to others in authority and (Yes dear!) also to his woman.
He is not violent or given to wine or strong drink(*). Like Moses, even though he starts out as short tempered and very physical, he has had an experience with God and a circumcision of the heart that makes him humble and possessing patience and self control. Therefore, he is a changed man, spiritually reborn and a new creation in Christ. Because he is full of God's love, he will not be physically or verbally abusive to his loved ones and the people around him. He will rather be loving and nurturing to his family, his circle of friends and neighbors.
He is a man of prayer and deep convictions out of which he lives a charitable life that reflects godliness and maturity. He acts and judges rightly in all that he does. Consequently, he will be trusted by his employers and business partners to make just and equitable transactions. He arranges fair contracts and does not cheat the people who work for him. Because he lives by the highest standards(I.E. God's), he will also have fulfilled the best and highest ethical standards and measurements of men. He is a man who loves truth so he is both a student and a teacher of it. He cares deeply about justice and fights for the poor and the down trodden. |
