“You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling, as lovely as Jerusalem, as awesome as an army with banners.”
—Song of Songs 6:4

Reflection

The Song of Songs is a dialogue between the Bridegroom, representing Yeshua, and His bride, a shadow of the church, as they journey together into divine love.

In the ancient world, Tirzah was reputed to be the most beautiful city of all. Think of the most attractive city you know, or imagine a beautiful nature scene. Messiah says His bride is more beautiful than the most attractive places on earth, more beautiful than waterfalls, forests of trees, fields of flowers, and breathtaking mountainscapes. Considering all the places on earth, His bride is still more beautiful to Him.

Further, He says she is as lovely as Jerusalem, and that is perhaps the highest compliment of all because Jerusalem is the city of the great King (Matthew 5:35). It is the city where God’s glory dwelled and where Jesus will return to rule the earth. That is high praise! You are beautiful to Him.

In the same verse, He praises her for her conquering power, saying she is as awesome as an army with banners. When an army in the ancient world won a victory, they would return home with their victory banner waving above their heads. They had defeated the enemy. They had conquered the foe, and they were triumphant.

Jesus compares this to the personal accomplishments of His bride. She had not swung a sword, but she had conquered her fears. She had conquered her dependence on feelings and comfort. She had conquered the intimidation that can come from the rejection of people. And she had conquered her love of self over her love of God. She had conquered everything that stood between her and the Bridegroom.

When you and I conquer hindrances and hurdles, Jesus sees us too as valiant and victorious, like an army marching home under divine banners. It is an amazing reality.

Then comes one of the most mysterious and humbling verses in all of God’s Word. The Bridegroom says, “Turn your eyes away from me, For they have confused me” (Song 6:5).

The Bible is using anthropomorphic language here, explaining something in human terms so we can understand. Even as we can be overwhelmed when we experience somebody massively loving us, Yeshua is described in this poetic Song as being overwhelmed when He sees God’s love released through His bride.

The way the Song portrays it is that Yeshua could hardly stare directly into her eyes because of the piercing beauty of God now shining from her. This is not out of weakness; it is poetic language. Yeshua is the very essence of humility, and He has voluntarily placed Himself in a position where He can be touched by us. He has willingly made Himself vulnerable to us.

The Bridegroom continues to praise her, from the top of her head to the bottoms of her feet. Beloved one, it is worth repeating that this is who you are: you are the bride of Jesus, beautiful to Him from crown to sole, and nobody can ever take that away from you.

Age can’t rob you of this reality. Neither can death or disease. You will always be beautiful to God!

Being human, we need to hear the same praise over and over. Our perfect Bridegroom knows this and is faithful to tell us more than once how beautiful we are to Him.

And then He calls His dove, His perfect one, unique (Song 6:8–9). There are many amazing people, but you are unique. You are not like the rest. We are all God’s best, His favorites, because each one of us is unique. Nobody else on earth can compare to you! The Lord relates to each one of us individually, just as a parent does with a child.

Application

• Consider the fears, dependence on comfort, or love of self that may still stand between you and the Bridegroom. Seek to conquer these hindrances through your love for Him.
• Receive the truth that you are uniquely beautiful to Jesus. Nothing can take away the beauty He sees in you.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, my beautiful Bridegroom, thank You for seeing beauty in me that I often cannot see in myself. Help me conquer every fear, every dependence on feelings and comfort, and everything that stands between You and me. Let Your love be released through my life so that Your beauty shines from within me. Teach my heart to receive Your praise and believe that I am precious and unique to You. Thank You that neither age, disease, nor death can ever take away the beauty You see in me. Amen.