Beauty

BEAUTY SHORT-LIVED

Now in all Israel was no one as handsome as Absalom, so highly praised; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no defect in him. -- 2 Samuel 14:25

Now Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. For Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak. And his head caught fast in the oak, so he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him kept going. 2 Samuel 18:9

The historian wrote eloquently about Absalom’s beauty, and added that, at the end of each year, when he cut his hair, its weight was 200 shekels by the king’s weight. It was this very hair, about which he was so vain, that brought about his downfall. Having found him in such a predicament, Joab thrust three spears through the heart of Absalom as he remained hanging in the oak.

UNFADING BEAUTY

Your adornment must not be merely external - braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious n the sight of God. -- 1 Peter 3:3-4

Do clothes make the man? Must beauty be only skin deep? Why do we adorn our bodies while ignoring our souls?

CAMOUFLAGED UGLINESS

When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it, and she painted her eyes and adorned her head and looked out the window. -- 2 Kings 9:30

Anointed as King of Israel, Jehu instigated the downfall of the house of Ahab. Jezebel, knowing that she would be killed, painted her eyes and adorned her head so that in death she might be as beautiful as possible. But no amount of camouflage could hide the ugliness within and, as Elijah had prophesied, her body was torn apart by dogs.

PROPRIETIES OF BEAUTY

On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus to being Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown in order to display her beauty to the people and the princes, for she was beautiful.

But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command delivered by the eunuchs. Then the king became very angry and his wrath burned within him. -- Esther 1:10-12

The king, having become drunk, asked that the queen come to show off her beauty. Sensitive to proprieties, she refused, although she no doubt knew that her refusal would bring about a loss of her crown and position.