ESTHER 2:15: Now when the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai,
who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the
king’s eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who
saw her.
American culture puts a lot of emphasis on outer beauty. Each year, Americans collectively buy per
minute 1,484 tubes of lipstick (at a cost of $4,566); 913 bottles of nail polish ($2,055); 1,324
mascaras, eye shadows, and eyeliners ($6,849); and 2,055 jars of skin care products ($12,785).
Marketing beauty products to both men and women represents an almost $17 billion-per-year
business in the U.S.
This is far different from the example of Esther. Despite the fact that her future seemed to depend on
making a favorable impression on the king, she did no more than what was necessary to appear
appropriate.
Without the distraction of the glitz and glamour of outer beauty aids, her inner beauty could be clearly
seen. And it was this inner beauty that enabled Esther to obtain “favor in the sight of all who saw her,”
including the king, who eventually made her queen.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to appear attractive, but it should never be our primary concern.
Developing inner beauty is far more important. The writer of Proverbs says, “Who can find a virtuous
wife? For her worth is far above rubies” (31:10).
And the apostle Peter says, “Do not let your adornment be merely outward; arranging the hair,
wearing gold, or putting apparel; rather let it be the hidden of the heart, with the incorruptible of a
gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God” (1 Peter 3:3-4).
If you want real beauty, spend as much time before the mirror of God’s word as you do before the
mirror in your bathroom. Let God develop an inner beauty in you that will both outshine and outlast
the glamour of the world.
BEAUTY WITHOUT VIRTUE IS LIKE A FLOWER WITHOUT FRAGRANCE.