Wednesday, August 7, 2024
1 Sam 16:6-12
6
And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said,
Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.
7
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of
his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for
man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
8
Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said,
Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
9
Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen
this. 10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel
said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. 11 And Samuel said unto Jesse,
Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and,
behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him:
for we will not sit down till he come hither. 12 And he sent, and brought him
in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look
to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
When
the sons of Jesse passed in parade there
were some pretty boys in the company. Eliab, the eldest was probably
presented not only first but privately, ahead of the others. He must have been
quite a specimen because Samuel concluded he must be the very chosen of God.
But God doesn’t see as men.
Dr.
Mark Wessel observes this about God’s choices for His
twelve apostles: “It was a strange group of men our Lord chose to be his
disciples. Four of them were fishermen, one a hated tax collector, another a
member of a radical and violent political party … all were laymen … Yet it was
with these men that Jesus … disseminated his good news to the end of the
earth.” (The Expositors Bible Commentary, volume 8, page 643)
Tradition says that Paul was a short man with an oozing eye
disease. Paul comments on his own appearance in the following verse in which
the word tapeinos is rendered “base” and signifies lowly or short of
stature.
2 Cor 10:1
10:1
Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who
in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
Little,
red faced, David was the last son that Jesse considered to be
of kingly quality, but God did not look on his outward appearance. His heart
was ready for a crown!
Dear
Lord, I am neither tall nor handsome by most appraisals. Let me instead have a
courageous heart and a beautiful spirit. Let me be pleasing in your sight. AMEN
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