Have you noticed of late that it’s becoming fashionable to do “wardrobe tour” videos by individuals exhibiting their clothes and fashion styles? Yes, our wardrobe can reflect our personality, lifestyle, and preferences. Living in a country like ours, a land with diverse traditions, festivals and cultures, we do have a variety of clothes in our wardrobe to suit different occasions. But the big question is “Does your wardrobe reveal who you are?”
For many of us, every day it might be a challenge to decide on what to wear. Often we stand before the wardrobe and stare at the clothes. Many times we think why can’t people see us for who we really are rather than see us by our clothes! But according to research, people make quick judgments based on what individuals wear.
Interestingly, from Genesis to Revelation in the Bible, we find metaphors on clothing that call us to clothe and display God’s character in our daily living, reflecting who we are both inside and outside.
Let’s take a peek into the wardrobe of a few women of the Bible which reveals what they were clothed with;
- Dressed up with Courage and Kindness to stand for the truth to bring about spiritual reformation
- Dressed up with Wisdom, Humility and Respect to stand for the rights to bring legal revolution
- Dressed up with discipline, hard work, skills and selflessness to stand for Godly living by re-defining secular and sacred divide
Huldah: Dressed up with Courage and kindness to stand for Truth that brought about spiritual reformation
We read about Hulda during the reign of King Josiah in 2 Kings 22:14-20 and 2 Chronicles 34:22-28. It’s interesting to note that she was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. When the Book of the Law was found in the Temple, the young king sought Huldah for guidance. Living in a patriarchal society of ancient Israel when there were many male prophets during the time like Jeremiah, the King sought out Huldah which tells us about her reputation and the respect she commanded as a prophetess. When inquired by the King, her courageous response mingled with kindness helped the King to bring about a spiritual reformation in the nation. Without fear, she confirmed about the destruction that will come on Judah because of the people’s disobedience to God’s commandments. But she was also gracious to say, this will not happen during the King’s lifetime as he repented and humbled himself before the Lord.
It was a time when women were not given public roles of authority, yet Huldah stood boldly as a voice for the Lord. She did not shy away from declaring the message of destruction. Her courage is a reminder for us to speak the truth in love that will bring spiritual reformation in the entire nation.
Huldah’s clothing, being the wife of a wardrobe keeper, was courage with kindness and encourages us to live out our faith boldly and to speak truth in all circumstances in our communities, workplaces, families and among our friends. Let our wardrobe be filled with truth and compassion.
Zelophehad’s daughters: Dressed up with Wisdom, Humbleness and Respect to stand up for the rights that brought legal reformation
This is actually about five women, all daughters of Zelophehad: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, whose wisdom and discernment for protecting rights of women is evident. Their powerful story is featured in Numbers 26, 27, 36, Joshua 17, and 1 Chronicles 7.
They approached Moses and Israel’s leaders with a request which was out of sync. Their father had died in the wilderness with no son which ensured they had no provision of land to enter into the Promised Land because the census counted only males. So with faith and fear of God they voiced out about their father’s rightful share to be passed on to them.
Moses took this new problem to God who answered: “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them.” This became a new law in Israel.
The Zelophehad daughters’ situation was not exactly rosy. Yet, they did not allow the reality of the situation to overwhelm them but they filled their wardrobe with wisdom, discernment, humility and respect when seeking justice. The achievement of Zelophehad’s daughters was a landmark in women’s rights regarding land inheritance.
May our wardrobe be filled with Wisdom, humility and respect so that we too can stand up for truth and justice to bring on a legal revolution.
Lemuel’s mom: Dressed up with discipline, hard work, skills and selflessness to stand for Godly living by re-defining the secular and sacred divide
We often hear about the virtuous woman mentioned in Proverbs 31, but have you stopped to think about the one who gave those definitions and guidelines? Yes, it’s the mother of king Lemuel. His mother was his life coach and advisor who introduced a bridge between the secular and the sacred by highlighting the “fear of the Lord” that gives wisdom to live by.
Her coaching and advice to the king was in vital areas with warnings against immorality, going after women, dangers of alcohol that cause to pervert justice and act lawlessly. She also exhorted him to defend the destitute, poor and needy by becoming a voice to these voiceless.
The later part of the chapter from verse 10 may be a reflection of his mother who lived a Godly life as a devoted mother, a dear wife, and a trusted friend. Her wardrobe was overflowing with a range of Godly traits and characteristics. She was Diligent and Delightful, Genuine and Gentle, Generous and Good steward, Hardworking and Healthy, Skilful and Shrewd, with Plans for present and Preparation for future, Teacher and Doer, Fear of God and Favour of God.
Above all, she was a woman who feared God and included God in every area of life so that there was no secular and sacred divide. Everything was sacred to her: personal life, professional life, family life, business life, leisure and entertainment, social life.
As Romans 13: 14 says “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ”, may our wardrobe be filled with Godly living.
What are you wearing…sorry, who are you wearing?
