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
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