A POLISHED EXTERIOR 

Matthew 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

One of the interesting things about the world we live is the concept of branding or advertising. In this concept, organisation’s and individuals can create an external viewpoint that they want others to see. In other words, they project a story that apparently tells what they are about. However, scratch beneath the surface and one can see the old blocks hidden behind the glamorous exterior.

Men are masters at hiding intentions. In fact, we have so developed the art of camouflage and pretense that trust is hard to build. There is always a lingering ‘is this really what it is or am I missing something?’ It is this issue with exteriors that we notice in the anointing of David as King. We see two opposites: Samuel leaning towards Eliab as king because of his height and appearance, but God had rejected Him preferring David.

It is for the same reason God ‘searches the heart’. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. No matter how flamboyant an exterior is, there are times when that exterior can only get you so far. It may get you through the door to meet the king like Esther, but in front of the king, beauty is not what does the talking, it is what lies behind the beauty.

No matter how much the exterior is polished, a polished exterior without a corresponding interior overhaul is nothing to celebrate.

#sly