Isaiah 3:16-23
16 The Lord said: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet, 17 therefore the Lord will strike with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will lay bare their secret parts. 18 In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents; 19 the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves; 20 the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets; 21 the signet rings and nose rings; 22 the festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the handbags; 23 the mirrors, the linen garments, the turbans, and the veils.
In this passage Isaiah describes how the women were proud of their looks, wearing lots of jewelry and fancy clothes (verses 18-23), and looking seductive (verse 16). This could easily apply to many modern women too. But it was not pleasing to the Lord, so He pronounced judgement on them and a loss of their beauty. This does not mean that it is necessarily wrong to look beautiful, but God is concerned about the priorities of your heart. If your focus is on looking good to impress other people, you may succeed in drawing attention to yourself, but God will not be impressed. He is looking for people who have a heart after Him, who seek righteousness and justice.
Lord, forgive us when we become obsessed with how we look.
16 The Lord said: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet, 17 therefore the Lord will strike with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will lay bare their secret parts. 18 In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents; 19 the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves; 20 the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets; 21 the signet rings and nose rings; 22 the festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the handbags; 23 the mirrors, the linen garments, the turbans, and the veils.
In this passage Isaiah describes how the women were proud of their looks, wearing lots of jewelry and fancy clothes (verses 18-23), and looking seductive (verse 16). This could easily apply to many modern women too. But it was not pleasing to the Lord, so He pronounced judgement on them and a loss of their beauty. This does not mean that it is necessarily wrong to look beautiful, but God is concerned about the priorities of your heart. If your focus is on looking good to impress other people, you may succeed in drawing attention to yourself, but God will not be impressed. He is looking for people who have a heart after Him, who seek righteousness and justice.
Lord, forgive us when we become obsessed with how we look.