When the Package Isn’t So Pretty, No One Cares What’s Inside

By Alessandra Velsor

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”—1 Samuel 16:4-7 (NIV)

The world is full of idolatries, but I question if any idolatry has been more extensively practiced than the idolatry of the outward appearance.—Theologian William Garden Blaikie

Our passage today happens to be the most quoted verse in Christian circles! Whenever I read this verse, I like to quote Friends, one of the most iconic TV shows of all time. In Friends, Joey Tribiani exclaims to one of his female friends when she doesn’t take his terrible advice to date a co-worker, “When the package is this pretty, no one cares what’s inside.”

But what if the package isn’t all that pretty? Unfortunately, in many cases, people are drawn to a person’s exterior, such as their fashion, hairstyle, and personality, more than their character, values, and devotion to the Creator. Have you ever felt you’ve been passed over for a job or promotion because the better-looking person was selected? Or you’ve fallen in love with a long-time friend who’s attracted to someone who looks like a fashion model and dismisses your affection? Or worse yet, have you been the one who’s given someone else an opportunity or chosen to date someone only because of their good looks?

Don’t worry, Samuel is as guilty as we are—and the Lord rebukes him. We see it in 1 Samuel 16:4 (NIV), which says, “Samuel did what the Lord said,” but then got distracted by David’s older brother’s strength and beauty. He thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord” (1 Samuel 16:6 NIV), to which the Lord replies, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for . . . the Lord does not look at the things people look at. . . . The Lord looks at the heart.”

God’s always strategic, and He always has an endgame. When selecting Saul’s replacement, he sends Samuel to Bethlehem, which just so happens to be where Jesus was born and Ruth and Boaz’s hometown. Jesus and David both come from the lineage of Ruth and Boaz and descend from the family of Jesse.

The elders tremble at the sight of Samuel. They’re nervous about his presence because of what happened in the prior chapter, when he killed Agag (1 Samuel 15:33). Samuel did what Saul wouldn’t do even though God commanded it. This act is what disqualified him as king.

Isn’t “beauty in the eye of the beholder?” We all have different taste and, oftentimes, our perceptions don’t even match! The reason we shouldn’t “judge a book by its cover” is because our perceptions can frequently be misguided and lack context. Previously, Samuel had rebuked the Israelites for demanding a strong-looking king to satisfy their secular needs. Ironically enough, Samuel is making the same mistake as Israel did, which serves as a solemn reminder that we’re more than capable to sin just like the person we’ve called out in the past. Sin doesn’t discriminate because we’re all susceptible to commit it. It doesn’t matter how many Bible studies you lead or if you serve at church every weekend or if your family looks like the promo cards for the children’s ministry.

Even the young shepherd boy, who will forever be known as “a man after God’s own heart, ”makes some terrible decisions in his leadership down the road. Oh, but his heart. God sees David, the humble servant, and how devoted he remains to God by constantly submitting to His authority . . . unlike Saul. His repentance was sincere and heartfelt, and he took all the correction and consequences of his sins.

What does God see in YOUR heart?

Pause: What are you doing to develop your heart so it reflects God’s heart?

Practice: Write out your “heart” resume. What are some areas in your life where you’ve demonstrated good character? Where do you need to improve?

Pray: Father, I’m sorry for the times I’ve disregarded someone’s value because of how they look. Please open my eyes and let me see what You see? Thank You for creating humans, for our brains which were made to analyze and think deeply and our hearts of flesh which hold space for our emotions and show compassion to those who need it. Create in me a pure heart, oh God, restore in me the joy of Your salvation. In Your name, I pray. Amen.