A Jot from John
In the prominent passage, 1 Samuel 16:7, we are told that the Lord “looketh.” “7 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.” Now comes the question, On what does the Lord “looketh” – focus his attention? Or, in his eyes, what thing is of prime importance? To this question five answers are found – four in the negative, one in the positive.
Not On One’s Social Position: David’s family was not outstanding in importance. The city of David was one “among the thousands of Israel,” and possessed no significance. In Christ Jesus “there is neither bond (slave) nor free (slave holder).” “For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.” (Gal. 3:28; 1 Cor. 1:26-29.)
Not On One’s Family Tree: The lineage of Jesse, Obed, and Ruth was humble in its beginning. Jesse’s great-grandmother was no less than Rahab the Canaanite, of Jericho, who was a harlot. If David were living today, the sophisticated might sneeringly pass him by, saying, “His background is poor.”
Not On One’s Racial Connection: Did not the blood of Ruth, the Moabitess, and of Rahab, the Canaanite, flow through David’s veins? In Christ Jesus “there can be neither Jew not Greek.” As the house of Cornelius, the apostle Peter declared: “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation (black, brown, or white) he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34-35.) If such are acceptable to the Lord, should they not be acceptable to us?
Not On One’s Physical Appearance: “A man is not always great because he is big,” says an eminent writer. “John Milton was blind, and Thomas Carlyle was not considered attractive in showy company. Plato tells us that Socrates resembled one of those misshapen pictures of apes and owls painted on the outside of an apothecary’s gallipot; but he adds that, although the figures were grotesque, the vessel was truly filled with sweet balsams. Paul was diminutive and half blind, in bodily presence weak, and in speech contemptible. ‘But,’ says Chrysostom, ‘this man of three cubits’ height became tall enough to touch the third heaven even before he was martyred’.”
But The Lord “Looketh on The Heart:” The motive, the secret spring of action, is supreme in life. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” The big thing in life is not what we say or what we do, but why we say what we say and why we do what we do. Our words and our deeds are highly important when they are guided by divine light (the word of God) and motivated by love – love for God and love for man. (1 Cor. 16:14, “14 Let all your things be done with charity.”
John B. Daniels, Associate Minister
