Connect Song of Solomon 1:5 with 1 Samuel 16:7 on appearance. Scripture Passages Song of Solomon 1:5: “I am dark, yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.” 1 Samuel 16:7: “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.’” Observing Outer and Inner Beauty • The bride openly acknowledges her sun-darkened skin—an outward trait others might judge—yet confidently affirms her loveliness. • The Lord corrects Samuel’s instinct to evaluate Eliab by looks, redirecting attention to the unseen heart. • Both verses identify appearance as real and visible, yet insist that it never defines worth before God. Threads That Bind These Verses • Outward features are noticed but not ultimate. • True value is rooted in character and the heart’s posture before God. • Confidence and identity are secured when aligned with God’s perspective, not public opinion. Additional Witness from Scripture • Proverbs 31:30: “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” • 1 Peter 3:3–4: “Your adornment should not be... outward... but the hidden person of the heart with the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.” • 2 Corinthians 4:16: “Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.” • Isaiah 53:2: “He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him.” Living Out the Truth • Celebrate God-given physical traits without allowing them to dictate value. • Measure personal worth by obedience, faith, and love rather than by cultural standards of attractiveness. • Practice looking at others the way God sees—evaluating actions and character, not surface impressions. • Cultivate inner beauty through daily time in Scripture, prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit, and acts of sacrificial love. |
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