First of all, being and a woman and living in the times of the tabernacle(Read Exodus to learn more about the detailed beauty within the tabernacle - a place of worship for the Hebrew tribes during the period of wandering that preceded their arrival in the Promised Land), you wouldn't be able to enter the tabernacle. Why? Because you needed to be from the priestly line, who were always males. So, there were probably no ladies' bathrooms or selfie picture-taking, like so many of us love to on Sunday mornings.
At Style By Color, we're taught a lot of about style personalities and the way to find a unique sense of style. Let's take a look at the style personalities of some of the women of the Bible.
Esther
A young Jewish woman who becomes queen to King Xerxes and risks her life to save the Jewish people.
Esther 4:14 "Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?"
She was already beautiful but completed intensive beauty treatments over many months to prepare herself for going before the King. Her style personality was likely a Style Fashionista, donned in beautiful gowns and lovely jewelry. She definitely stood out in a crowd and wasn't afraid to go big and bold!
Ruth
A young Moabite woman who originally married an Israelite but was widowed early on in life. She stayed with her mother-in-law, Naomi, and leaving her people, accompanied Naomi back to Bethlehem. She later married Boaz, and bore Obed, who became the grandfather of David.
Her dedicated statement to Naomi: Ruth 1:16 "Wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God."
Her style personality was probably Pure Natural. She wore natural fabrics, like cotton, and maintained a casual lifestyle. Her clothing was soft and had an easy, comfortable feel.
Abigail
A kind woman who was married to a wicked, wealthy and foolish man, Nabal. He refused David food and shelter when he was on the run and hurled insults at him. In order to avoid retaliation, Abigail interceded for her husband by meeting David on the road with food and gifts for his men.
I Samuel 25:32-33 "David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands."
For our purposes, her style personality is Creative Original. She had a style that was all her own, creating outfits that included bright colors and one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces.
The Proverbs 31 Woman
King Lemuel's mother taught him what characteristics to look for in a good wife: a wife of noble character, otherwise known as "The Proverbs 31 Woman".
Proverbs 31:25 "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."
She was possibly a Classic Modern. She wears classic pieces of clothing, fine linens and purple gowns, and accessories that give her a polished, sophisticated and elegant look.
While I've laid out the 4 clothing personalities in these Biblical figures, I haven't discussed their inner qualities, the identities that come from the Lord and truly provide our style from the inside out, the "Ultimate Makeover". Here are some verses that can give us direction:
I Peter 3:4
"Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight."
Romans 12:2
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Colossians 3:12-14
"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
The heart qualities:
Esther - faithful, courageous, selfish
Ruth - brave, humble, loyal
Abigail - wise, generous, gracious
The Proverbs 31 Woman - virtuous, respectful, capable
Their heart qualities gave them inner beauty. They each had a personal relationship with their Heavenly Father. The Ultimate Makover comes from the inside out. When we're filled with the Holy Spirit, and have the gifts of the Spirit within, it becomes out outer beauty and can be reflected with our clothing personality. Here are some verses that show this clearly:
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness and self-control.Against such things there is no law."
Romans 8:9
"You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ."
Romans 15:13
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
My prayer is that you will trust in the Lord as your Savior and the beauty of the gifts of the Spirit will shine brightly in whatever clothing personality you represent. Let your face radiate your love for the Lord! As Exodus34:29 says, "Moses didn't realize his face had become radiant because he had talked with the Lord."
May the Lord allow your face and beauty to shine because you've been in His presence. We have the privilege of knowing God because of Jesus' sacrifice for us, the true VIP experience. Here's an excerpt from a devotional I recently read entitled, Journey(Lifeway):
In truth, it doesn't matter what we look like on the outside, God is more concerned with the condition of our hearts. He is not impressed with our spiritual checklists or Bible knowledge; God desires a pure heart that is seeking to fulfill the good works He has planned for us to accomplish, regardless of how big or small they seem to the world. Ask God to carry out the good work He has for you to completion. And ask that your heart be aligned with His.
Father, thank you that Your Spirit empowers us from the inside out. Amen
Want to develop your style personality? Check out this YouTube video!
Tanya Rhine is a retired school counselor who completed the Christian image consultant certification at the Color Academy in 2019. She is passionate about helping women understand the masterpiece they were created to be. You can learn more about her services at www.tanyarhinecreatedbydesign.com