Mirrors

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Category: General | May 1991

Would life be impossible or only inconvenient without one? Israeli women living in the desert faced this dilemma, but did not hesitate to offer their highly polished copper mirrors for the making of the Tabernacle's water laver (Ex. 38:8).

God did not overlook this gesture as it is recorded eternally in His Word. They sacrificed something of value linked with their daily personal use, to meet the needs each day of Israel's priests, whose hands and feet had to be washed of desert dust and other contaminants. It would not be an easy decision for them to give up their mirrors when we think of the drawback of living under the desert sun in a sandy place, and the great need for personal care. These dear women obviously concluded that God's requirements deserved priority over their own personal needs. These, too, may have been some of the same women who sang happily unto the Lord after His miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Their gift offering could be viewed as an expression of their thanks for their salvation. They may also have been part of the army of women workers who supplied the blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen for beautifying God's house in the desert. The labour of love of such women reminds us of Dorcas, whose constant labour of love is also recorded eternally. This is the tribute

to her: "full of good works ... which she did" (Acts 9:36).

Today, God does not ask us to surrender mirrors, but He does direct us to the laver of the Word. It is there we can deal with the defilement of the world and the flesh. It is the place of cleansing which is so needed by us if we are to mirror Christ.

In modern life the mirror becomes a much used item in our homes. What would a home he without a mirror? Through His practical servant James, the Lord makes this searching observation:

For if any one is a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror: for he beholdeth himself and goeth away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was (Jas. 1:23,24).

Can this be true of us? If so, then all the more reason for seeing ourselves in the mirror of the Word and being obedient to the spiritual law of liberty through which we do what is well-pleasing to the Lord and not to ourselves.

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | May 1991
General