Beauty, Wisdom and Glory (Proverbs 16:31)

Age is a gift from the Lord that comes with a conditional wisdom.

"The hoary head is a crown of beauty and glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness - of spiritual and moral rectitude in every area and relation." Proverbs 16:31, Amplified

This "hoary" head is actually speaking of gray hair. Gray hair is a sign of beauty, wisdom and glory. It speaks of someone who has been there and done that. At the feet of the silver-haired grandparent or even parent a child should want to sit and listen to stories.

But this beauty, wisdom and glory comes with a condition. The person having the hoary head must be found in the way of righteousness. I know everyone one has come across that crotchety old person who hates everything and is unhappy with every condition. But there is something different about the elderly who is following the Lord. There is a peace as he or she comes to the end of things. The silver-haired person knows that the beauty, wisdom and glory must be passed on to the next generation. My father was a man who developed gray hair very late in his life. But with that gray hair came a respect and admiration for him because his walk with the Lord had turned for the better. A lifetime of lies and deceit turned into a life of servitude.

Beautiful Pig (Proverbs 11:22)

Discretion is such a wonderful thing to possess. In our America today I think that it is the one of the many things that is not being taught to our children.

"As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman who is without discretion." Proverbs 11:22, Amplified

This has got to be one of my favorite verses in the Proverbs. What Solomon is trying to convey here is beauty out of place.

Gold is a very precious metal. Even today it holds a high value. Why would anyone place that value in the nose of a pig? The pig is an animal that is synonymous with the non-kosher laws of the Jews. It was is a dirty animal. When the gold is placed in the snout of the swine, that value is compromised.

The same can be said of a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. Imagine a gorgeous woman at a gathering. As she walks the breeze plays with her hair. Every bit of her person is pure perfection. She is glancing over the crowd and then she picks you. Out of all the men at this gathering, this beautiful woman picks you. Your heart skips a few beats and your fingertips get a little tingly. She comes close to you and leans in to your face. Then she burps! The onions on her burger that she had for lunch are unmistakable. Or she begins a tirade of profanities for all to hear. Her beauty now becomes misplaced and compromised. She is not so beautiful anymore.