“If you do not know, most beautiful of women, follow the tracks of the sheep and graze your young goats by the tents of the shepherds.”

The woman now gets some advice from her friends. They tell her to be more bold and more forward about carrying out her daily duties and not worrying about how it will look to other people. They tell her she is beautiful, and she knows it. She must be confident in her beauty, not just the outward sign of dark skin, but the inner beauty of service and overcoming in the face of oppression. She is beautiful in all respects, and must know that her truly Beloved will see her and recognise that she is the one for him.

We also must know that the beauty we possess in Christ is the beauty He requires of us and the beauty that will draw Him to us and us to Him. We must not be apologetic about how we serve or how we worship of show our love for our one true love. The beauty we possess is complete, because it is complete in Him. We reflect the beauty of His person and His character, and no one can take this away from us. We see it. We recognise it and are confident in the work that the Beloved One is doing in our lives. We will not be intimidated to change or excuse ourselves or apologise for being too like Him.

The woman must graze her sheep and young goats, by the tents of the shepherds. She will be accepted by them, Even they are also about he business of the Beloved. They recognise her and will give her sustenance and support. She will not be left destitute, though many would make her so.

“At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light .” …

Matthew 11: 25-29

All things are provided for the bride of the Lord. He will ensure they have rest and the necessities of life. He will provide all things and make all things right for them.

The woman need not fear, because her Beloved has influences and effects far beyond her remit. The Beloved One provides all that the woman will need and she need never fear, or wonder how she will cope with her situation. The people around her will provide and God softened the hearts of people, to help His own. So we need never fear either, for the table is spread before us at all times.