“And so it shall be: Instead of a sweet smell there will be a stench; Instead of a sash, a rope; Instead of well-set hair, baldness; Instead of a rich robe, a girding of sackcloth; And branding instead of beauty” (Isaiah 3.24).
There is an exchange going on in this verse. It is an exchange that crippled society in Isaiah’s day, and it will do the same today. Note what is being exchanged:
1. Sweet smell of perfume accentuating the beauty of a woman becomes stench
2. The beauty of a silken sash become the rough hewn, utilitarian rope
3. Well-set hair becomes the scab-ridden baldness of an unhealthy, deprived woman
4. The rich robe becomes the rough sackcloth
5. Beauty of freedom is replaced with the branding of slavery
Beauty and Gentleness are set aside and mangled by women in the day of Isaiah. Women have forgotten that that they have been created in the image of God. Biblical Christianity liberates the woman; other religions of the world and society subjugate women. No matter how it is dressed up; it is bondage.
The idea that men are superior to women should be labeled chauvinism (a form of male prejudice). It should be so because God is no respecter of persons. Typical of the society in which we live, our voices are heard at times for less than altruistic motives.
Women appreciate beauty and order and bring those qualities to men. Women complete the image of God. They are created in the image of God. Aesthetic finery is the forte of biblical womanhood - God created her this way. Women love beautiful things.
Women love children because God made them to nurture and have compassion upon them. Generally, motherhood is very fulfilling to women. You just need to look at my family blog to see that! Since God protects, women seek to protect. This is why they may even defend their children to a fault at times.
Contrast this with a woman who would seek an abortion. Such a thing is rebellious opposition to God’s will for her. She demands rights and the choice to be the captain of her own fate; yet she is made in the image of God. Everything special about women demonstrates the image of God.
The safest place in the entire world for a child should be the womb of his mother. Because of the loss of womanhood and the disintegration of the image of God, children are torn and ravaged within their own mothers. Because of the choice made, these same women are torn and ravaged within the depths of their very being. May God grant mercy to those women and to our country as we contemplate the sanctity of human life.
