Jewels of silver/gold or ornaments as the bible puts it, can be various things such as necklaces, bracelets, rings and/or wedding rings, earrings, and so much more. Society has became so accustomed to wearing jewelry, but what is the real purpose? Is it to enhance our beauty, is it to please other people, or is it for God?
The Bible says in 1Timothy 2:9-10 “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” Christ has called on a peculiar people those that would stand out from the world and it’s traditions. Christ has made us to be representatives for Him; to spread His word and be a living example of His character. In Exodus 20:23 is says “Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.” Looking back at Egyptian traditions they wore gold, and had many gods made of gold, but why? Ra (sun god) sounds familiar? They believed gold in its shininess resembled the gods flesh, so they made it of use to resemble the sun; and by wearing it offered them protection. Seems to me that jewelry became another form of idolatry, but let’s keep reading.
1Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Now if wearing jewelry resembles the protection of (Ra), and not God; would you still want to partake in it?
Lets looks at some instances that happened in the bible, and see how God actually feels about wearing ornaments.
Genesis 35:2-4 “ Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went. And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.” Notice Jacob called their jewelry “strange gods”, interesting? Even though all they were doing was wearing it. Let us keep reading.
Exodus 33:3-6 “Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way. And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments. For the Lord had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.” It’s interesting, that God did not want to speak to His people until they took off their ornaments (jewelry). Let us continue reading one more scripture.
Isaiah 3:18-26 “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. Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war. And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground.”
As a Christian, jewelry is another form of idolatry, because it resembles another god (Ra). Everything that we do here on Earth, we do to glorify God ONLY, not mankind. God has made us perfect in his sight, so why the need for the unnecessary enhancement?
Some may even ask about the wedding ring; however, sad to say the wedding ring originated from the traditions of Rome, not God; which is also known to them as “annuli pronubi” signifying marriage agreement.
After all that we have learned, let us continue to show our inward beauty, not outward appearance.
