Modesty is a rare and sacred jewel.
Modesty
is a choice virtue our sensual and adulterous generation has
forgotten. Muslim women often have a keener and wiser sense of
modesty than professing Christians or Jews, though their outward
modesty is often spoilt by a flirtatious and immodest demeanour.
Even our great matriarch Sarah, Abraham's wife, had to be reproved for her immodest gaze by a pagan Philistine, (in her 90s!).
What kind of man is attracted primarily by outward fleshly displays of beauty?
A suitable soul mate or a sensual, fleshly, conceited man like Esau - whose two Canaanite wives were a constant heartache to Rebecca and to Isaac?
Here is lasting beauty and the delight of God and real men,
'Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.'
Here is a ravishing glory of spirit that burns the heart of men and does not fade, but yet burnishes with time
'While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
But
let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not
corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in
the sight of God of great price.
For after this manner in the old
time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being
in subjection unto their own husbands...'
The princess of Ezekiel's parable prostituted herself to pleasure idols, like so many young women today, and all her treasures perished.
The great heroines and beauties of the Scriptures live on forever growing in the love and desire of the great Bridegroom.
Seek the best treasures, righteousness, wisdom and what wonderful benefits from the knowledge of Him who is their sole, true source.
O that women might adorn themselves in modest apparel, with bashfulness and self mastery.
Heart treasures that never fade or wrinkle.
'There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.' Proverbs 20:15
'As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout,
so is a beautiful woman who is without discretion.' (Proverbs 11:22)
Isaiah's excoriating warnings to immodest young women (sensitive readers are forewarned not to go here)
Hair
coverings a scriptural command for women at prayer (Michael
Marlowe's helpful exegesis)
(Though he lacks proper caution about ancient (e.g. Clement of
Alexandria, sn. 11) and Islamic
misuse of the face veil, under the misguided profession of
preserving modesty)
Seven snares of sex outside the sacred covenant of marriage