“..when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.”
Christianity is more than mental assent to doctrines of Christian faith, it is a manner of life, of purity first and foremost to God. A Christian wife has a testimony, with her life, to help her unsaved husband come to Christ by her Christian conduct, her reverence, and her purity. The emphasis on women toward their husbands is on character, not in outward beauty. There are lots of people that work on being beautiful outwardly without inward beauty from God.
Women, even in that society, did a lot to making themselves look pretty. According to one commentary, those who could afford it didn't work so they spent lots of time and energy primping up and looking attractive. They gave attention to their hair by spinning it, braiding it, decorating it. They would decorate themselves with jewelry. They had rings for noses and ears and wrist and neck and ankles. The latest styles brought the envy of others. I guess things don't change much through the years. What types of magazines most capture your attention, ladies? Fashion, glamor. clothing, or articles for spiritual growth and Biblical truths?
There certainly isn't anything wrong with trying to look nice, but sexual attractiveness has become an obsession in our society. Such a focus on how pretty we look instead of how godliness is a misguided priority.
Some think this passage is an injunction against using make-up or jewelry, but I don't think that is the intent. It isn't that you shouldn't seek to be attractive and neat, but that you shouldn't do that to the neglect of the most important-“…the purity and reverence of your lives.”
Isaiah's denunciation of the daughter of Zion is for this very reason, they were "haughty, and walked with stretched necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet. (Is. 3:16-24). Many of the women would get caught up in extra-marital relationships because of their outward advertisements. Instead, women are to be pure and holy, set aside for their husbands only. It does no marriage any good to go around comparing what you think you might have gotten in a husband, instead of what you do have in a husband. The Lord's Word desires that as Christ-followers, you are to make your husbands happy by faithfulness, purity, and reverence for them.
There are scriptural indications of the bride being adorned for her husband, which are symbolic of purity and reverence for Christ. The inner beauty is what God is concerned about, the character.
Application: Certainly, look attractive for your husband. Don’t take appearance for granted, but emphasize more the things that matter to the Lord.
Application: Father, I pray that as I study Your Word in submission, You will create the inner faithfulness, purity and reverence that you wish me to walk out in my marriage and all relationships.
