Beauty, Circumspect Sunday, Weekly Bling

Circumspect Sunday (repost): Beauty of Biblical Proportions

January 20, 2013 / 5 Comments

I'm not as shallow as I purport to be. Sure I love cosmetics, towering shoes and big hair — but that by no means defines my ideology of beauty. I'm sure everyone has had interaction with that woman (or man) who was heaven to gaze upon — just walking beauty. Their exterior was literally something to behold. But when you got to know that person intimately and it turned downright ugly.

All the good looks in the world can't compensate for a hideous interior. I'm talking about the heart, the inner person, the true self, the motivation behind the action. All that outside beauty is truly a façade that covers someone the antithesis of beautiful.

I love the metaphors for beauty in the Bible, in the book of Proverbs in particular. They don't relate to physical looks at all. Rather, they highlight desirable qualities. I know that everyone who reads this blog is not a believer in the Bible, but the insight and sensibility in these Proverbs resonate throughout all cultures and religions nonetheless. Enjoy!

1. Proverbs 4:7-9 — likens wisdom to beauty:

⁷ Wisdom is the prime thing. Acquire wisdom; and with all that you acquire, acquire understanding. ⁸ Highly esteem it, and it will exalt you. It will glorify you because you embrace it. ⁹ To your head it will give a wreath of charm; a crown of beauty it will bestow upon you.

Lesson: Being knowledgeable is just fine, but application of acquired knowedge brings forth wisdom. Wisdom = Beauty.

2. Proverbs 16:31— Gray-headedness is a thing of beauty:

³¹ Gray-headedness is a crown of beauty when it is found in the way of righteousness.

Lesson: We all get old, but it's a beautiful thing when an elder is an example of moral uprightness.

3. Proverbs 17:6 — Family ties are beautiful:

⁶ The crown of old men is the grandsons, and the beauty of sons is their fathers.

Lesson: Be accountable for your family.

4. Proverbs 19:11 — Passing over transgression is beautiful.

¹¹ The insight of a man certainly slows down his anger, and it is beauty on his part to pass over transgression.

Lesson: Forgiveness = Beauty.

5. Proverbs 20:29 — The power of youth is beautiful.

²⁹ The beauty of young men is their power, and the splendor of old men is their gray-headedness.

Lesson: Use your power when you are young to do good, to do God's will.

6. Proverbs 28:12— There is abundant beauty when there is righteousness.

¹² When the righteous ones are exulting, there is abundant beauty; but when the wicked ones rise up, a man disguises himself.

Lesson: When good people (righteous) abound, or are in positions of power, there is no need to hide.

Do you have any proverbs or words of beauty? Please share.

5 Comments

Jerry Marquardt

July 11, 2015 at 2:00 pm Reply

Thanks so much for the great perspective on this very inspirational approach to beauty. I enjoyed this so much.
- Tracey Brown
  
  July 15, 2015 at 7:23 am Reply
  
  Thank you Jerry.
Sonya

September 20, 2013 at 2:57 pm Reply

Very enlightening.
Ron Eldridge

October 28, 2009 at 10:32 am Reply

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this great piece. This is really a wonderful read filled with great new things to think about as I read my Bible. I am also looking for enhancement and you have given me a great one here. Thanks so much… I love your writing.
- Tracey
  
  October 28, 2009 at 11:51 am Reply
  
  Hi Ron,
  Thanks so much for your comments. Reading your blog made me realize there is so much more I can talk about in my little world of beauty. haha But honestly, I really get tired of writing about “stuff” sometimes and I love this type of diversion. Makes me think before I write. Are you done with your blog?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!Cancel reply

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