How many of us are guilty of arriving at a conclusion about a person by their appearance without even getting to know them? I’m sure all of us have done that at one time or another. Sometimes we size them up and down by their clothes and think they’re not worth the time of day. You’d be surprised if your decision is really a valid one.
Does Your Appearance Matter and to Whom?
Samuel was sent to Jesse the Bethlehemite to look for someone to anoint as future king. When Jesse started bringing all of his sons to Samuel, he kept passing them by saying they had been rejected by Jehovah God. Samuel asked if those were all the sons he had and Jesse told him the youngest who was David was tending the sheep; he was brought in.
In walked this Shepard boy, though he was good looking, no one would’ve thought the older brothers who were older and taller would be passed over from the youngest; after all don’t we envision a king or queen to be regal in their appearance? However, it does take a lot of humility to be out in the fields tending sheep accepting that responsibility.
“Do not look at his appearance and at the height of his stature, for I have rejected him. For not the way man sees [is the way God sees], because mere man sees what appears to the eyes; but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart is.” 1 Samuel 16:7
“Get up, anoint him, for this is he! Accordingly Samuel took the horn!” Accordingly Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the spirit of Jehovah began to be operative upon David from that day forward.” 1 Samuel 16:13-13
To everyone’s surprise, David was accepted and anointed to be the future king.
Why Did This Happen?
Jehovah knew David’s heart condition and what he would do for him. He didn’t take into account his youth or stature, unlike his older brothers. Maybe they didn’t have the same humility David had. After all, sometimes first born children lean towards prominence thinking that because they’re the first born, they have first rights and deserve it before anyone else; that’s not necessarily true like we saw in the case of David.
It’s extremely unfortunate that man is quick to judge a person’s outer appearance and their status; they want to know if you have a job, what kind of car you drive and if you have your own place. They also judge you on the clothes you wear and your social circle. Isn’t it true that those that deem having social status get together and sometimes drink themselves into a stupor? They also engage in questionable behavior.
What Will You Do?
If Jehovah God were to judge each and every one of us according to what we own or look like, a lot of us probably wouldn’t pass the test.
He looks at your heart and what you have inside; what’s crucial is the love you have for him, your humility and how you treat others; after reflecting on something many probably don’t even think about, next time someone makes you feel bad about what you don’t have or starts throwing others in your face, remember what’s really important.
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