DIVINE EVALUATION

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised!" (Prov. 31:30 NKJV).

God evaluates things much differently than man usually does. Our verse speaks about two things which man highly values but which God does not value. It also speaks of one matter which God values but man usually does not value. These three matters concern charm, countenance, and consecration.

Charm – “Charm is deceitful.” In context, the word “charm” refers to personality, and charisma. Now, while there is nothing wrong with having a pleasing personality, there are times when people with charming personalities uses it to deceive others. Politicians are especially guilty of this practice. They try to be as charming as possible in order to get votes. Sales people are also guilty of such practices. In our verse, the application would be to that of a seductive woman. She uses charm to deceive men into immoral conduct. God, however, does not give charm high marks; rather He gives character high marks.

Countenance – “Beauty is passing.” While being good looking is not sinful, good looks is not the thing of greatest value and it is not what’s important in life. Beauty is only skin deep and will not last. God does not place a premium on outward beauty but on inward beauty. The Bible talks about the “beauty of holiness” (Psalm 96:9), but most people are more interested primarily in the beauty of the skin.

Consecration – “But a woman that who the Lord, she shall be praised.” This phrase tells us what God highly values or praises. While this verse is speaking primarily about women, it also applies to men. Fearing God involves honoring God, obeying God, and serving God. It is consecration to Him. You may not have lots of charisma or be especially good looking. But if you honor, obey, and serve God well, you will be praised by God.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Reputation is what men think you are; character is what God knows you are!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Devout

In Luke 2:25 we read, “And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him” (NKJV).

Devout is the Greek word eulabēs (εὐλαβής = yoo-lab-ace'). It is made up of two words: “eu” which well, and “lambano” which means to take hold of.” Literally, the word means taking hold of what is good. Eulabēs is sometimes translated “God-fearing” because it shows awe-inspired fear that reveres what is sacred, i.e. godly respect for the things of God. Eulabēs especially suggests piety in the inner being (soul), defining a devout attitude towards God and His Word.

In the Septuagint, eulabēs also carries the idea of devout, pious, and reverence. This reverence concerns separation from ritual defilement, and is often associated with awe or fear of God. In the New Testament, eulabēs is reserved for describing religious reverence, godliness, or piety. In sum, eulabēs, describes a circumspect person who takes hold of i.e. respects what is sacred.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah will be given all authority to govern (Isa. 22:22)

New Testament Fulfillment – Rev. 3:7

Did You Know…

In the Bible, the Lord Jesus is referred to as “the image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15).

Bible Quiz

Once David and Bathsheba’s child died, what did David do?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: Which bird did Noah send out of the ark first? A raven (Gen. 8:7).

Everyday Expressions Alluded to in the Bible

“Keep body and soul together”

“That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecc. 1:9 NKJV).

“Keep body and soul together” - The expression “keep body and soul together” carries the idea of keeping yourself fit. In context, the apostle Paul is praying that the Thessalonians be kept blameless by God in their relationships with Him in their inner personal lives, and in their social contacts with other people.

Did You Know – Christian History

When Babylon fell to a coalition of Medes and Persians in 539 B.C., the new rulers of the Mid East made it their policy to restore all captive nations to their respective homelands. Among those captives were the Jews. They were allowed to return to Judah with authority to rebuild their temple. However, seventeen years after their return, construction still languished, and so God raised up the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to rebuke the people for the neglect of his house.

In 520 B.C., Haggai asked the people, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” (1:4). Through Haggai, the Lord asked the Jews how they had fared since their return. “You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes” (1:6). Haggai said God wanted them to bring wood and rebuild His house.

Judah’s political and religious leaders listened. Under their leadership, the remnant of exiles who had returned to Israel rebuilt God’s house, which was completed on March 12, 515 B.C. However, it wasn’t much to look at. And so the Lord asked in 2:3 “Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing?”

Yet, there is a day coming when the Lord would shake Heaven and earth, the sea and the dry land. Then the Lord made the following promises:

“I will fill this temple with glory” (2:7)

“The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, says the LORD of hosts” (2:9).

The temple, rebuilt in 515 B.C., was rebuilt yet again by Herod the Great, who restored it in stone and covered it with gold. This was that temple that the Lord Jesus visited in His life, bringing it glory. A generation after Christ’s death and resurrection, Herod’s temple was destroyed by the Romans. A mosque now stands on its place.

However, Haggai also prophesied that all the nations would bring their treasures to the temple. That event has not been fulfilled. It awaits yet another temple when Christ returns to rule the earth from Zion.

A Little Humor

On and on, she kept pestering him, asking, “Where have you been all night?” “Just out walking,” Adam insisted as he closed his eyes and prayed for sleep to overtake him. It seemed like only moments later he was awakened by someone poking him in the chest. It was Eve. “What are you doing?” Adam demanded. “Counting your ribs,” said Eve.

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Jesus took our place that we might have His peace; He took our sin that we might have His salvation!”