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A THOUGHT ON JEWELERY.
Jewelery and other ornaments can work to our detriment. There is a reason that God effectively says, ‘Don’t go down that path.’
If a person’s confidence comes from the things they are wearing, instead of from what they are, then their security is built on a terribly weak foundation. When circumstances are difficult, their “bravery” will go away.
“In that day the Lord will take away the BRAVERY of their tinkling ornaments… the chains, and the bracelets… the headbands… and the earrings, the rings, and nose jewels”. (Isaiah 3:18-21)
We tend to derive a false “bravery” and confidence from jewelery …. and in my view, THAT is the problem, and that is why God tries to steer us away from it.
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The old idea of putting on war-paint was to 1. Make the person (the wearer) feel strong and brave, 2. To make a “statement” to other people, especially to their rivals. It’s effect was quite real (or so it seemed), and today it is not really that much different. War-paint and the various “ornaments” all serve a purpose. They are to “strengthen” us to face the day… but… there is a problem… When the day of trial comes, those ornaments do not (and can not) help.
…The Bible texts regarding jewelery etc., (especially the New Testament texts,) should, where possible, be understood within a historical setting. Here is a comment from a history book about a lady in Rome. (This lady was influential in the early development of the Church of Rome.)
“No fine lady more exquisite, more fastidious, more splendid than she. Not even her Christianity had beguiled her from
the superlative finery of her Roman habits. She was one of the fine ladies who could not walk abroad without the
support of her servants, nor scarcely cross the marble floor from one silken couch to another without tottering, as well
she might, under the weight of the heavy tissues interwoven with gold, of which her robes were made.” (From “Makers of Modern Rome”; Oliphant, p.22.) -
Stewart, I never thought about it from quite that aspect! But it is very clear to me that you are correct.
Years ago, there was an article that came out in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the lead article in that section of the paper….I sure wish we had saved it. It was bringing out how the wearing of makeup was a sign of low self-esteem and how bad it was for parents to allow young girls to start wearing it… I feel really bad when I see young girls all made up….it’s like they don’t they that they are pretty the way God made them.
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I’ve heard different comments from SDAs on jewelry…here are two of them.
I saw one with necklace and bracelets on and I asked, “Why do you wear jewelry?” She said, “It makes me feel feminine.” was her answer. But the fruit that I saw was a flirtatious one.
Two of us SDAs both observed another woman come in the door and the other woman had jewelry on and my friend said, “That is not a true SDA woman.”
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Such concerns are certainly valid, Newbie. But as we see problems abounding, the danger is that our love can grow cold. There are two great dangers… we can either become too lax… or we can become too focused on the “darkness”, and before long all we are seeing is “darkness”.
Yes, let’s do justly, but let us LOVE mercy, and walk humbly.
It is not the reception of mercy that we are called to love, but rather, the giving of it. This does not mean that we should be blind to the realities around us, or to constantly make excuses for the disobedience of professed Christians (who show themselves, in fact, to be enemies of the Christian faith)… But to have a merciful disposition and compassion.
Jesus is a Man “who can have compassion on the ignorant, AND on them that are out of the way”. (Heb 5:2)
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Your comment, Stewart, made me think of this story, in the early days of Ellen White:
Soon after our return from the camp meeting, I, with several others, was taken into the church on probation. My mind was very much exercised on the subject of baptism. Young as I was, I could see but one mode of baptism authorized by the Scriptures, and that was immersion. Some of my Methodist sisters tried in vain to convince me that sprinkling was Bible baptism. The Methodist minister consented to immerse the candidates if they conscientiously preferred that method, although he intimated that sprinkling would be equally acceptable with God. { 1T 19.5}
Finally the time was appointed for us to receive this solemn ordinance. It was a windy day when we, twelve in number, went down into the sea to be baptized. The waves ran high and dashed upon the shore; but as I took up this heavy cross, my peace was like a river. When I arose from the water, my strength was nearly gone, for the power of the Lord rested upon me. I felt that henceforth I was not of this world, but had risen from the watery grave into a newness of life. { 1T 20.1}
The same day in the afternoon I was received into the church in full membership. A young woman stood by my side who was also a candidate for admission to the church. My mind was peaceful and happy till I noticed the gold rings glittering upon this sister’s fingers, and the large, showy earrings in her ears. I then observed that her bonnet was adorned with artificial flowers, and trimmed with costly ribbons arranged in bows and puffs. My joy was dampened by this display of vanity in one who professed to be a follower of the meek and lowly Jesus. { 1T 20.2}
I expected that the minister would give some whispered reproof or advice to this sister; but he was apparently regardless of her showy apparel, and no rebuke was administered. We both received the right hand of fellowship. The hand decorated with jewels was clasped by the representative of Christ, and both our names were registered upon the church book. { 1T 20.3}
This circumstance caused me no little perplexity and trial as I remembered the apostle’s words: “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” The teaching of this scripture seemed to be openly disregarded by those whom I looked upon as devoted Christians, and who were much older in experience than myself. If it was indeed as sinful as I supposed, to imitate the extravagant dress of worldlings, surely these Christians would understand it and would conform to the Bible standard. Yet for myself I determined to follow my convictions of duty. I could but feel that it was contrary to the spirit of the gospel to devote God-given time and means to the decoration of our persons—that humility and self-denial would be more befitting those whose sins had cost the infinite sacrifice of the Son of God. { 1T 20.4}I have felt very much like Ellen White felt, when I’ve witnessed baptisms where it was obvious by what the candidates wore that they had not separated from the world. In fact, one was so horrible, we walked out.
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