Why Does God Love Beards?
Who would have thought that the A & E semi-reality show Duck Dynasty would be a perfect platform for getting out the Gospel into our culture? But that seems to be what is happening. This Halloween the number one costume… right, you got it…expect kids with beards walking down your street. In Boston with the World Series…more than the regular number of full beards behind the plate. Go figure.
And just wait until Christmas. The Duck Commander Devotional book with 365 messages is already available. Here is the deal, when one thinks Biblically on the subject of beards, one’s perspective changes. Beards are something that appear repeatedly in religious texts. It all makes one wonder, Why Does God Love Beards?
Scripture: You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard.
Leviticus 19:27 (ESV)
A song of ascents. Of David. How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Psalm 133:1-3 (NIV)
Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”
John 7:24 (NIV)
Message: My purpose today is not to defend anyone’s beard but to rejoice in how God works in and through culture. Beards can be so dumb. Regardless it is interesting that this Sunday people will be lining up to hear preachers with beards from Louisiana. Friends, there was a time when being clean shaven in church was thought to be immodest. At other times a beard was thought to be a sign of a seedier life style. Well don’t tell that to the Amish. Still many of the world’s religions encourage or require their men to keep beards. Jesus is depicted with a beard. So what is it about beards and unity? We may never completely know, but today I marvel in the reality that God is up to something and our Lord is using facial hair to capture our attention. Let’s face it, every morning we argue with God. God grows the hair and we cut it off. If righteousness is cooperating with God and the way we were created then shaving could be argued as being unrighteous. Biblically, the shaving of a beard in the OT was done as a sign of sorrow like the renting of clothes. So what are we sorry about?
Pray we have a little down home wit and country humor in our spirit. Pray we not be afraid to ask the question even though we may not get an answer. Pray we realize that not all Christians have beards and guns, but that some do. Pray we rejoice when God brings people together in unity. Pray we rejoice the next time we hear the name of Jesus on T.V. Pray what we see on T.V. becomes more than cultural Christianity but a sign of Christ working in culture for His glory.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 