Comments on: God’s Stigma and the Dark Secret of The Shulamite

By: Darlene Stapleton

Darlene Stapleton — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 05:48:04 +0000

Your interpretation I read was very wrong. You are a racist and should be ashamed of your second handed thoughts. I wished that my time reading that crap I just read were Christianity accurate, it is so far from what she did thought or for that matter was. She was dark ,stunningly beautiful and king Solomon wanted her at all costs. She was in love with a shepherd boy. This is about how Jesus Christ the Holy Son of God loves us.

By: Shelby Shock Marsh

Shelby Shock Marsh — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 03:34:01 +0000

In light of Him, our perception of not only others, but also ourselves are changed. The deep, intense love that He has for us makes no sense in the natural. I’ve never been loved like this before. This post encourages me to let go of what i think about myself and just revel in His great love. Thanks yet again, Pamela. Your insight is so encouraging! Love you!

By: Pamela

Pamela — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 21:48:47 +0000

Thank you for sharing this Brittany, it’s beautiful. I see in it a ‘reducing’ happening, so that in the end, Christ in us is the only identity that remains. What I am intrigued about in the Song is that it has but these two verse seemingly expressing the struggle, but quick as a wink she makes an about turn and receives this new identity. And then it follows of course that she spends the rest of the book reveling in it. :-)

By: Brittany

Brittany — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 05:56:52 +0000

This brings to mind a dialogue that is played throughout Scripture…

“I am very dark, but lovely. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.”

“Your renown went forth among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through the splendor that I had bestowed on you.”

“I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

“Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful!”

“I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

“You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.”

“When I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.”

“Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”

“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.”

“And you have been filled in him.—Mature in Christ. You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.—That you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

By: Marsela Sava

Marsela Sava — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 23:07:24 +0000

Dear Pamela,
This is my first time on this blog. Thanks for this post, there is a lot to ponder. To me is interesting the fact that the Shulumite mentions “I’m black” right after she had said the King has brought me into His chambers. The Bridegroom leads her into the secret place of His presence – the chambers of the King. And in due time she will become a worshiper of the King at His table( verse 12) and a little latter she will rest with infinite delight in the banqueting table of the King ( 2 :4), but it looks like she first will be a learner in the chambers of the King. In His presence she forgets of herself, rejoices in the Bridegroom and His love. But as result of having been in His chambers, she gets a true estimate of herself, so that before others she owns her true condition. Discovering what we are in the presence of all that Christ is, we can use the language of the bride ” I’m black” as black as it can get, like the tents of Kedar. But if we learn what we are in the presence of Him who is the King, we also learn what His grace has made us, and while owing we are black, we can also add, “but lovely”, like the beautiful curtains of Solomon’s temple. These are lessons that all God’s people learn. In the presence of God Job had to say” I am vile”. In the sanctuary the psalmist says ” I was as a beast before The”. In the presence of His glory Isaiah says ” I am unclean”. In the chambers of the King we learn these great truths . The infinite worth of Christ and His love, the utter vileness of all we are by nature, and the loveliness His grace has put upon us. Sorry for the long comment.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 23:52:19 +0000

In reply to Marsela Sava. Dear Marsela, Oh, please, no apologies for a long comment, it is wonderful to make your acquaintance and I really appreciate your thoughts. Since you are new to the blog you may enjoy the previous post to this one, "Being Gazed Upon," which touches on what you shared. I like what you brought out that this confession of hers comes after being in His presence (i.e. chambers). Those who have been with Him cannot help but come into contact with light, and they will come out glowing. Thus the conflict within ourselves and, with others. It is an increasing tension as we approach the final consummation when Jesus Christ will fill all things.

By: Mia

Mia — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 20:07:10 +0000

Dear Pamela
Yes, dear one, we do carry the scars of Jesus in our bodies for it is only after we have spent all that we call “self” without any success that we learn to trust only in our Beloved! What a great post, thanks.
Blessings XX
Mia

By: Jamal Jivanjee

Jamal Jivanjee — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 16:09:36 +0000

Pamela, this post it absolutely stunning. It brings me much comfort and encouragement. I resonate with this ‘stigma’ of love, as I know you do as well. I can’t thank you enough for writing this!

By: jimpuntney

jimpuntney — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 14:06:28 +0000

I so thoroughly enjoy following your trek,as you ‘walk out’ The Song. Your ‘eyesight’ is keen, and your heart is pure.

Thank you for your ministry of Love!

By: Pamela

Pamela — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 01:59:23 +0000

In reply to Mia. True words, Mia. It’s always great to hear from you.:)