The Most Beautiful Women in the World

The mirrors of Old Testament times were nothing to write home about. They were mostly made of bronze and were round, oval, square and most of the time they had a handle. Rust would develop on them and they would need to be restored. Later in ancient Rome mirrors were sometimes made of tin, silver and even gold.

But still, ancient mirrors were nothing like modern glass mirrors. The reflection they produced was imperfect, and yet to the ancient world these mirrors were of great value. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians concerning the knowledge of God, he said, "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then, face to face." (1 Cor. 13:12). Even in the first century looking glasses were somewhat flawed.

The value of ancient mirrors makes the statement of Exodus 38:8 turn into one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible - "He made the laver of bronze and its base of bronze, from the bronze mirrors of the serving women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting." In reference to Bezaleel, artisan of the tabernacle, Moses writes that the bronze laver, used in the ceremonial washings of the priests before they entered the tabernacle, was commanded by God to be made of bronze. Of necessity the women were willing to give up one of their most prized possessions - their mirriors - to complete God's place of worship.

Women have always been interested in their outward appearance. They want to be beautiful. They want society to see them as attractive, and they especially want their husbands or boyfriends to find them so. Billions of dollars are spent worldwide every year on fashion and beauty products. This is a part of the female's identity, that she reflects beauty in every way. The mirrors of the Israelite women were their only means of measuring their outward appearance. Yet out of their love for God, they gave this luxury up because they wanted to sanctify the tabernacle. In my estimation this gesture made these women more lovely then any mirror could ever prove them to be.

The most beautiful women in the world are not the ones seen on the cover of fashion magazines. They are not the skinny, big-city, runway models. They are not necessarily the popular girls at school, the girls on the cheer squad, or the girls who spend all their time at the mall. They are not the women of fitness and bikini posters. The most beautiful women in the world are those who put God's kingdom first, who are far more interested in inward beauty, who spend their hours at the doors of the house of meeting, who love the Lord with all their heart, who are willing to sacrifice.

"Do not let your adornment be merely outward - arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel - rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." ~ 1 Peter 3:3-4