Absalom

[Invicta]

2 Sam 14:25  But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

Absalom was a very handsome young man but he was also evil.

Today celebreties and sports heros are often admired for their good looks but many  lead desolute lives and some are downright evil.

in films and books, the goody is usually good looking and the baddy is ugly, particularly westerns. In chilrens books it is the same, the hero or heroine is beautiful and the bad ones are not, as in the ugly sisters and the wicked witch.

In life it is similar, disabled people are often mocked, particularly Downs syndrom children.  There is a couple applying to our church for membership, they both worked for Prayer For Israel. She came from the North East of England and was mocked there for her Geordie accent and felt miserable.  (She was different) He was born disabled. He hobbles on two sticks and his legs cross at the knees.  He has been mocked through hi life.  (He is different.)

But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

 

[Alan]

 

Invicta,

Good article on Absalom and how we should treat other people that are different from us, or, have some attribute we do not care for.

"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 a man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

Thanks.

Alan

[wretched]

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.

There will not be many (if any) earthly rich, many beautiful, many powerful people in God's Kingdom. Through God's omniscience this is a theme throughout Scripture. Reason being that these people via free will are not poor in spirit. They are full of the pride of life and their hearts are almost never "good ground" for God or the Gospel. There is no fear of God in their eyes.

They have received already, their consolation.

Edited January 30, 2017 by wretched