Hautiness

[APOSTLE D. A. KEITH]

Matthew 23:5-7

they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

- Enlarge their phylacteries (boxes containing key scriptures from the law).

- These boxes were made bigger to symbolize the wearers’ eagerness to obey the law.

- This is similar to those that memorize scriptures and attain multiple degrees in order to be highly esteemed among men.

- They enlarge the boarders of their garments by adding more and more tassels (Numbers 15:38).

Isaiah 3:16-24

Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: Therefore the LORD will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts. In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, The rings, and nose jewels, The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails. And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.

- Giving flirtatious stares (Ogling).

- Adorning themselves with bells, bonnets, jewelry, mantles, and veils.

- Wearing sweet smelling fragrances.

- Walking with quick little steps.

These two references speak of individuals that use external items to heighten their appearance and perception. The reasoning behind this attempt in the first reference was a religious purpose and a personal purpose in the second. Without a doubt these two references are similar in that they both preceded Gods’ judgment. The Pharisees enlarged their phylacteries (boxes that contained scripture written on parchment). These boxes were worn on the forehead and left arm by a leather strap. They did this to exemplify their adherence to and value of the law. They took it to the next level by enlarging these boxes in that they will be obvious for all to see.

The daughters of Zion wore bells, bonnets, jewelry, mantles, veils, and fragrances. These were worn to entice the men in order to be taken care of (How often do we notice the same behavior today?). These women would be decked out in appearance. They even had a matching walk with the clothes they wore. If their goal was to be a TEN (they succeeded). They were so successful in catching attention; they can now add God to their list.

Both the Pharisees and Daughters of Zion caught the attention of God! They did not catch His attention because they were prestigious nor did they gain it because they were beautiful. God was concerned with their outward adornment and educational achievements and their inward deprivation. The LORD told them both that there would be destruction to come due to their haughtiness. Just as there were consequences for having a haughty spirit back then, there are consequences today for the same issue.

You may think that you’re it, the bomb, a bag of chips and a juice; but if your inward man does not match your outer appearance you may want to seek the LORD for help. You may think that your academic achievements qualify you to be placed above those that have not reached the same level; God does not show preference to anyone because of their achievements! Job said, “who (God) shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands? They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. “His eyes are on the ways of men; he sees their every step”. Therefore brethren, I exhort you to renew the inner man and let the light of Christ shine through you, rather than having a form of Godliness and lacking the power that comes with godliness (Exousia and Dunamis).