I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
History of Jewelry
Tracing jewelry’s historic route derives primarily from custom, beginning with the most remote civilizations. The first adornments were derived from the hunt; teeth, claws, horns, and bones. Hunters believed that wearing trophies would bring them good luck for the next hunt. Men used jewelry for various purposes a symbol of wealth or power or as a token of love.
Many types of jewelry items began as functional objects. Pins and brooches originated from the clasps that held clothing together. Rings were used for early seals, rank, and authority.
Egypt: jewelry was first made around 3,000 to 5,000 years. It soon symbolized power. The affluent class wore it not only in their lifetime but also after death.
Greeks: 1200 BC, Greek jewelry was rich and varied and reflected the prosperity of the society.
Romans: The most common ornament of ancient Rome was the brooch, used to secure their flowing clothes together. The Roman women would wear hairpins that were long enough to be used in self-defense!
Western European: One of the most widely used ornaments in medieval Europe was the ring. It was attributed ever more symbolic and religious value. England royalty Henry VIII boasted at least 234 rings and 324 brooches.
Uses In Society
Status Symbol – Throughout history men and women have used jewelry to represent their social status, power, wealth and affiliations with particular organizations
Religion – In many religions’ jewelry is often used to display belief, position, achievements or even commemorate special events
Fashion – Jewelry is often used as accent pieces to match or coordinate particular outfits
Rites of Passage – Jewelry is often gifted to individuals when they reach a certain milestone in their lives
Protection – In many cultures’ jewelry is used to protect the wearer from harm or ward off evil
Self-Expression – Used to display the wearers personality or style
Currency – Though money is the common medium of exchange many cultures still use jewelry to conduct trades
Display of Affection – Oftentimes jewelry is used to display affection
Church’s Defense from the Scriptures
A. The law of first mention – jewelry were “put away” in the presence of God
Using the law of first mention. In Genesis 35 As Jacob went up to Bethel to make an altar, he was instructed to put away the strange gods, change their garments and be clean.
Gen 35:4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears;
B. Learn not the way of the Heathen/ World: Jeremiah 10
Egypt was a heathen nation and Israel adopted to many of their practices including the use of jewelry.
Genesis 41:42 “And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, …and put a gold chain about his neck”
The Israelites made a golden calf from their ornaments like the gods made in Egypt, this angered the Lord. In Exodus 33: when the people heard the words of the Lord toward them, they did as he commanded.
Exodus 33:3-6 and no man did put on him his ornaments... therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.
1 John 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world…For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
C. The church believes in modesty and self-control
The behavior of the children of God should represent a meek and quiet spirit focusing on the inner man which is reflected outside.
1 Tim 2: 9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, … or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
1 Peter 3: 3-4 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning … and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, … even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
D. The scripture promotes humility as opposed pride
In Ezekiel 16 God describes how he dressed Israel in the finest ornaments, and he portrays her as a prized possession. Israel however, used this to show haughtiness and pride by flaunting their jewels and became obsessed with appearances.
Eze 16:17 Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver… and madest to thyself images of men
Isaiah 3: 16-21 Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, … walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet…The chains, and the bracelets the ornaments of the legs, the earring, the rings, and nose jewels…
God does not completely reject jewelry. The resources used to produce them are among the wonders of his creation. The same stones and ornaments were collected into the Lord’s treasury in the days of old (Num 31:50-54) and will be on display in the New Jerusalem (Rev 22: 18-21).
However, he rejects the sense of pride, conceitedness and idolatry portrayed (Isa 3). This behavior reflects the attitude of the world (1 John 2:16).
Similarly, neither does the church completely rejects Jewelry. Jewelry worn by the church usually serves a purpose functionality instead of just a fashion statement, or a symbol of power/status.
These include:
Rings, Watches, Brooches, Hat Pins
Tie Pins, Cuff Links, Hair accessories
This is a presentational study and all info can be found on the internet
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