Context: this passage regards the Lord's command to the priest Samuel. He told Samuel to go to Bethlehem, to visit the family of Jesse, and that one of his sons would be the future king. Jesse trotted out seven sons, one after another, but the Lord told Samuel to ignore all of them. Samuel asked Jesse if there was anyone else, and Jesse called his youngest, David. The following occured when Samuel decided that the first son, Eliab, was the obvious choice.
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.
1 Samuel 16:7 KJV
But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 MSG
4 comments:
Last midnight shift!! Yea!!!
Personally, I don't know how you did it. Being up much past 11pm is just tough these days. It was hard when I was 45 for the year I did Charge on 3rd shift at the local nursing home as it was a mile down the road, and the kids needed me home, being in 8th grade. The trouble was I couldn't get any good quality sleep during the day, and after 3 months I was pretty cranky. By the end of the year, my husband was looking for a new job for me. Lol.
I am good up to midnight, and after 3am, but between...it was a constant fight to keep the eyelids open.
So is Samuel where the saying of "don't judge a book by it's cover comes from"?
Congratulations Reverence. I am sure this is a very welcome development.
I find it odd (well, not really) that we have actually (as a society and as a church) gotten exactly 180 degrees on this. We highly value appearance in all of its aspects rather than ask "Is the person actually following the commands of the Bible?"
I agree with what TB said.
And I thank God for reminding me not to judge a book by its cover.
Yay for last night shift! Have a blessed weekend!
Suz, I know exactly how I did it: with great difficulty and struggle. Regarding the origin of the modern phrase: in 1944, in the American journal ‘American Speech’ states ‘you can’t judge a book by its binding’. Sounds to me as if it's a restatement of God's words to Samuel.
Thank you, TB. It's welcome, indeed. I'm not surprised that people as a whole still look at the package instead of the contents; it's human nature - and that's why we need God & His guidance.
Thanks, Linda.
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