All Glorious Within

I discovered something interesting from reading the Bible lately.

In 2 Kings, we read of Jehu, a man that the LORD had anointed to be king over Israel—while the king of Israel was still alive. It was the LORD's intention that Jehu should "smite the house of Ahab" (see 2 Kings 9:1-7). Jehu killed many royal people—including Jezebel, the wife of Ahab. She had great evil influence over her husband. "But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up." (1 Kings 21:25).

 

Jezebel was a heathen woman, and very wicked (see 1 Kings 16:31; 2 Kings 9:22). In light of this, look at how she prepared to meet Jehu. "And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window." (2 Kings 9:30). That would be the ancient equivalent of our putting on makeup and doing our hair. It makes me wonder, Should Christian young ladies be doing something that this pagan queen did as well?

 

If the example of Jezebel isn't enough to make any girl who desires to be Christ-like question this practice, then look at what it says in the book of Ezekiel. In chapter 23, God speaks of Samaria and Jerusalem as though they were two sisters, Aholah and Aholibah respectively. He tells of their unfaithfulness to Him, and in thus describing the deplorable condition of these places, He says, "Moreover this they have done unto Me: they have defiled My sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned My sabbaths. For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of Mine house. And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger [was] sent; and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments, And satest upon a stately bed, and a table prepared before it, whereupon thou hast set Mine incense and Mine oil." (vv.38-41, emphasis added). We see here that such activity is associated with apostasy.

 

In the book of Jeremiah is perhaps the most interesting way of referring to that subject. Speaking of the destruction that was to come upon Jerusalem because of idolatries, God refers to the city as a woman and says, "And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life." (Jeremiah 4:30, emph. add.). Again, God uses such comparisons to depict unfaithfulness to Him.

 

Notice the italicized part here, particularly the verb "rentest." It is a form of "rend," which means "to rip" or "to tear." What happens when something is ripped or torn? Generally, it is ruined. It would seem that in God's sight, wearing makeup ruins our faces. It would seem too, that the other things that tend to accompany it—jewelry and fancy clothes—are also condemned.

Could it be that this is because it focuses the attention on the outward appearance rather than on the inside? Peter was speaking to wives in chapter 3 of his first epistle, but his admonition goes for all women: "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." (1Peter 3:3-4). Character matters more than face to God.

 

Not only in the New Testament is this idea expressed. He tells us in the Old Testament too. "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. …Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." (Proverbs 31:10, 30).

 

"The king's  daughter is all glorious within:" (Psalm 45:13). May we be daughters of the King, "all glorious within".

 

Blessings,

Jean

Thoughts from the Life of Jesus, Part 6: The Two Blind Men

Note: Posts formerly entitled, "Thoughts from the Hour" will now be "Thoughts from the Life of Jesus"

After Jesus healed Jairus' daughter from the dead, "the fame thereof went abroad into all that land." (See Luke 8:41-42, 49-56; Matthew 9:26).

In the following verse, we are introduced to two blind men. "And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed Him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us." These men were persistent; they followed Christ all the way to the house He was going to.

He then asked them a question. "Believe ye that I am able to do this?"

"They said unto him, Yea, Lord." (v. 28).

"Then touched He their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened;" (vv. 29-30).

The actions of these two men give a living illustration of Hebrews 11:6. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." The two blind men believed that Jesus was. They believed that He was able to heal them—and that He would. They believed it in their hearts, because they kept persevering; asking not once, but again and again.

What happened? Jesus rewarded them with the gift of sight. How much more will He reward us with that spiritual eyesight, that heavenly eyesalve, if we seek for it as earnestly as the blind men did their physical eyesight?

Blessings,
Jean