BEAUTIFUL ON THE MOUNTAINS
Beautiful is the prompt for Day 15 of #write28days. What comes to your mind when you hear that word? My first thought was of a scripture in Romans – How beautiful are the feet…, which is actually a quote from Isaiah that starts out, How beautiful on the mountains… More about that later. Here are three definitions I found at Rhymezone for the word, beautiful:
- adjective: (of weather) highly enjoyable
- adjective: aesthetically pleasing
- adjective: delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
Let’s talk about the weather first. Some people love the sunny days and others love the cloudy, rainy ones. People live in the mountains or valleys, forests or seashore or somewhere in between. I live on a small hill, but across the way are the higher foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They may not be the tallest hills around, but there is still much beauty. Many times, at the end of a rainstorm I look out and see a beautiful rainbow. Sometimes it is very pale, but other times it’s vivid and sometimes a double rainbow.
How beautiful on the mountains is the rising of the sun!
If there is a thunderstorm at night, we often see a spectacular lightning display zigzagging above the mountains. It really is a beautiful sight. Sometimes we have a beautiful view of the moon.
HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Isaiah 52:7
As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.
Romans 10:15b
I think most of us would agree that if someone brought us good news that gave us joy, we would consider them beautiful. What Paul is talking about in Romans is the best news of all. It is the news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He deeply desires that all his countrymen would believe.
In the beginning of Romans 10, he says they are enthusiastic for God, but it isn’t based on knowledge. They didn’t know God’s righteousness and tried to set up their own. The fact is that in ourselves, without God, we cannot be righteous. It is only through Christ that we are made righteous. In verses12-13, Paul makes sure we understand that it doesn’t matter what our race or ethnicity is, we are all equal. Right after that we come to the part about the beautiful feet.
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Romans 10:14-15
OUR JOY AND PRIVILEGE
It is a privilege that Jesus has chosen us to be His representatives here on earth. With joy we can share with others what He has done for us. By showing love to each other and working together we are obeying His command. We are not left on our own, but as we abide in Christ, He gives us the strength we need.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener… Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me…If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you…
You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. “This is what I command you: Love one another
John 15:1,4,7,15-17
How beautiful on the mountains, in the plains, in the woods, by the seashore, yes anywhere on earth, are the feet of all those who proclaim the good news!
This is Day 15 of #write28days. The prompt word is beautiful.
I never thought about feet being beautiful! I’m sure I’ve read those scriptures before, but you helped them hit in a whole new way today. Thank you!
Amy, thank you! I’m glad you were encouraged. Blessings to you!
When the Holy Spirit keeps bringing back a Scripture you know to pay attention! This is the umpteenth time this verse has come my way! Thank you for being the Holy Spirit’s gift to me.
It made me head to the lexicon. Just look at what beautiful means in the Bible lexicon:
– in the Isaiah verse:
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance
be beautiful, become, be comely
A primitive root; properly, to be at home, i.e. (by implication) to be pleasant (or suitable), i.e. Beautiful — be beautiful, become, be comely.
– in the Romans verse:
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance
beautiful.
From hora; belonging to the right hour or season (timely), i.e. (by implication) flourishing (beauteous (figuratively)) — beautiful.
To me that right hour and season is so beautiful and fits with “to be at home” and your Word on abiding. As God teaches us to abide in Him, that’s when we begin to bloom in Him and bring the Word at the perfect time for those around us (as He’s already been preparing them to receive Him, as He’s been preparing us to abide – what “beautiful” unity).
“As God teaches us to abide in Him, that’s when we begin to bloom in Him and bring the Word at the perfect time for those around us (as He’s already been preparing them to receive Him, as He’s been preparing us to abide – what “beautiful” unity).” Amen, Anna! Thanks for sharing those meanings of beautiful! Blessings and love to you! xo
This reminds me of the song “Our God Reigns” <3. Thank you for sharing your insight. May we always stay close to the bringer of good news so that his light is reflected in our lives.
Yes, a great song! May His light always be reflected in our lives. Blessings, love and prayers for you, Anita! xo