Monday, June 13, 2005
BEAUTY SECRETS
From: Life Lessons from Bible People
Copyright 1996 by The Livingstone Corporation
"Rachel was lovely in form and beautiful." (Genesis 29:17)
Rachel was, in today's parlance, a head turner, a beauty queen. She quickly caught the eye of Jacob, who found her so desirable that he agreed to work seven years for her father in order to marry her.
And yet, if we look beyond Rachel's figure and face to her underlying character, we see some unattractive qualities. First, she is portrayed as jealous and demanding. When she learned she was unable to bear children, her complaining and accusing sent Jacob into a rage.
Second, she is pictured as desperate and conniving. Rather than trusting God to provide her with children in His timing, she tried to "help God out" by sending her servant girl to bed with Jacob. She is seen stealing religious artifacts from her father and then lying about her involvement in the theft. All in all, the Scriptures do not point a pretty picture of this pretty woman!
The lesson of Rachel is especially relevant to people who live in a culture obsessed by youth and glamour. Keep in mind that outer loveliness quickly fades. Inner beauty is far more critical to God, and He makes that character available to anyone who is filled with the Spirit of God. The longer and closer we walk with God, the more attractive we become.
It's possible to be good looking and not very attractive at the same time.
______________________________
Beauty does not last in a pretty face,
For outer loveliness, in age does fade;
But inner beauty, as time goes by
Stays lovely in the beholder's eyes.
Copyright 1996 by The Livingstone Corporation
"Rachel was lovely in form and beautiful." (Genesis 29:17)
Rachel was, in today's parlance, a head turner, a beauty queen. She quickly caught the eye of Jacob, who found her so desirable that he agreed to work seven years for her father in order to marry her.
And yet, if we look beyond Rachel's figure and face to her underlying character, we see some unattractive qualities. First, she is portrayed as jealous and demanding. When she learned she was unable to bear children, her complaining and accusing sent Jacob into a rage.
Second, she is pictured as desperate and conniving. Rather than trusting God to provide her with children in His timing, she tried to "help God out" by sending her servant girl to bed with Jacob. She is seen stealing religious artifacts from her father and then lying about her involvement in the theft. All in all, the Scriptures do not point a pretty picture of this pretty woman!
The lesson of Rachel is especially relevant to people who live in a culture obsessed by youth and glamour. Keep in mind that outer loveliness quickly fades. Inner beauty is far more critical to God, and He makes that character available to anyone who is filled with the Spirit of God. The longer and closer we walk with God, the more attractive we become.
It's possible to be good looking and not very attractive at the same time.
______________________________
Beauty does not last in a pretty face,
For outer loveliness, in age does fade;
But inner beauty, as time goes by
Stays lovely in the beholder's eyes.
# posted by F O O D F O R T H O U G H T @ 7:35 PM 
