By Dr. Don Bierle, President
Sometimes during Bible study and research I discover more than I was looking for. Over the past year I have been studying Genesis chapter 1, and a passage in Galatians, in anticipation of future presentations. In both cases I discovered something new.
We easily recognize the usual applications of “beautiful.” For example, Esther is described as a young woman who was “beautiful of form and face” (Esther 2:7, NASB). We get it when the temple in Jerusalem is described as a “beautiful” house (Isaiah 64:11) and God’s gifts to Israel are likened to a “beautiful” crown on their head (Ezekiel 16:12).
Sometimes, however, the concept of “beautiful” is present where we don’t expect it. While exploring the meaning of “well-doing” or “doing good” in Galatians 6:9, I discovered that in the adverb form it can mean “to manifest the beautiful”—to make your invisible intentions visible in action.
Therefore, when Jesus commented about the woman who anointed His feet with precious ointment— “she has done a good deed to Me” (Matthew 26:10)—He was saying she had done a “beautiful” thing!
The real surprise for me was in Genesis chapter 1. There is a repeating phrase regarding the creation, “And God saw that it was good” (1:4, 10, 12, 18, etc.). According to Victor Hamilton (The Book of Genesis Chapters 1-17, in the New International Commentary on the Old Testament) the word “good” used there in Hebrew as an adverb can mean “beautiful.” Thus, the translation in 1:4 could read, “And God saw how beautiful the light was.” Probably not a big deal, but it changed my perspective about God and His creation. He wasn’t just expressing His expertise at creating, He was loving it!
