Proverbs 31:22; 25

Beauty is a hot topic today. At every check out counter there is a magazine cover exalting beauty. Over and over we are told what it takes to be beautiful...face-lifts, extreme exercise routines, diet, work out, sexiness, make-up or the right clothes are what sets the standard for beauty. Every year People Magazine does an article on "the Most Beautiful People"...wecovet beauty as a nation...we must look good at all cost.
What does the Bible consider beauty? I know many of us know Godly beauty is different than physical beauty. Is there a warning for us as women?

Proverbs 31:22 says:

"She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple"

And verse 25 states:

"She is clothed with strength and dignity"

So what can be understood by the phrases in Proverbs 31? Doesn't it appear that she does pay attention to her appearance? We have to look at Scripture as a whole...Scripture will verify Scripture. We can see that this excellent woman takes care of her appearance BUT within the context of Scripture, we see that it is NOT her focus. Yes, she does care how she looks, BECAUSE it benefits her husband. There is a sense that she cares for herself BECAUSE she cares of her husband's and family's reputation.
When it speaks of her coverings for her bed and purple linen clothing, it can be inferred that she seeks for the best quality. She probably does not have a closet-full but instead what she has is of good quality and beauty.
But just a quickly as we learn that she pursues quality, we are told that what is most valuable is her strength and dignity. What this means is: Don’t focus our main attention and effort on how we look on the outside; focus it on the beauty that is inside. Exert more effort and be more concerned with inner beauty than outer beauty.
That is what Peter is telling us in 1 Peter 3:4...

"Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

Isaiah warns us of a false beauty...in Isaiah 3:16-26:

"Moreover the Lord says:

'Because the daughters of Zion are haughty,

and walk with outstretched necks and wanton eyes,

walking and mincing as they go,

making a jingling with their feet,

Therefore the Lord will strike with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion,

and the Lord will uncover their secret parts.

' In that day the Lord will take away the finery:

the jingling anklets, the scarves, and the crescents;

The pendants, the bracelets, and the veils;

The headdresses, the leg ornaments,

and the headbands; the perfume boxes, the charms,

and the rings; the nose jewels, the festal apparel, and the mantles;

the outer garments, the purses, and the mirrors;

the fine linen, the turbans, and the robes.

And so it shall be: instead of a sweet smell there will be a stench;

instead of a sash, a rope;

instead of well-set hair, baldness;

instead of a rich robe, a girding of sackcloth;

and branding instead of beauty.

Your men shall fall by the sword, and your mighty in the war.

Her gates shall lament and mourn,

and she being desolate shall sit on the ground."

What a difference these women are from the Excellent one in Proverbs.
What a warning to us...notice than when there is a preoccupation on external beauty that begins the fall of a nation...When we are consumed by temporal, fleshly things and forget the eternal and godly, God begins to judge a nation.

Let me ask...from these verses, do you think we are heading there?
Tomorrow we will look at true beauty again.