But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart'
1 Samuel 16:7
The context that this passage falls into is that God has called Samuel to go to Jesse in Bethlehem as one of his sons will be the new King for the people as King Saul has disobeyed Him and has acted in his own way. As Samuel was presented with Jesse's first son, he marvel at the stature of him He was strong, tall, someone that looked like he would take authority and excel at being king. This is when God steps in with the words above.
He is saying, it isn't the way you look, they way you are built, if you are the most attractive person in the world, this isn't what makes you someone great, someone to lead a nation. It is what's in the heart, the person's character, what they desire most is what they will love the most and what they will shape their character to be.
As the passage continues, Jesse presents more of his sons, probably men of similar standing and features as the first son, but God has someone different in mind. David was the youngest of Jesse's children He was not with Jesse, in the house but out in the field. He probably wasn't even considered to be in the running or thought good enough to be seen by Samuel due to him being young, maybe being weak. Yet, God knew his heart. God knew him. God knew this young shepherd boy was destined to be a great ruler and someone who would love God with all his heart and mind. Yet, to earthly eyes he certainly wasn't the first choice.
It seems we have come to live in a society where outward appearance is so important. Where looks and success is everything. Even in our churches we are guilty of surrendering to the culture we live in and look for the same things the world tells us to look for in our church. Who is wearing what, what does the new person look like, comparing our looks and lifestyles to our fellow brothers and sisters This is not what is intended. This is not what God does when he looks upon us. He doesn't compare us or love someone else more because they are 3 dress sizes smaller than the person next to them. God looks at the heart. Our character.
Our character is the most beautiful yet most understated aspect of our being. Our character reflects what we desire most in life. If God is first in our lives. If everything we do is centred on him, the holy spirit begins to grow the fruits of the spirit love, joy, patience, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. This is a reflection of beauty because it reflects God character. God is perfection, original beauty and therefore to become more like him is reinstating original beauty back into our world.
Yet still emphasise, and I believe the church can also be guilty of this, is put on the outward. Leaders are seen as the ones who are the smartest, most popular, best looking yet throughout the bible you see God choosing the most unlikely ordinary people to do the most extraordinary things. Nehemiah, Ruth to name a few.
So if we are not to conform to the ways of this world and have our lives transformed to live a more Godly life, we need to stop pretending that this isn't an issue and not put it down to the culture we live in but be counter cultural, be God focused and start letting true beauty shine in society. Only by us beginning, as a body of Christ, to do this will people be released from the chains that have bounded them, chains of self- consciousness, self doubt, chains that have told people they are ugly and worthless and we will slowly see the beauty of society changed to its original purpose and begin to see glimpses of the kingdom of heaven on earth.
Personally I think that's a pretty incredible reason to do it!
C*
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