Have you ever heard or used the catchphrase “beauty from ashes”, and you are wondering what it means? There is more to the popular saying than its mere appearance or literal usage. But you don’t have to worry about the origin and meaning of the statement; you can leave that to us.
In this article, we will expose you to the Biblical origin of the catch phrase as well as the meaning, and when to use it in daily conversations.
Biblical Origin of Beauty from Ashes
Life is not a bed of roses for the children of Israel. From enduring many years of slavery in Egypt, and journeying through the wilderness to fighting wars with the enemies, it was all pain and struggles for them.
It is with this understanding that God promises to come through for them. God addresses the Children of Israel directly through the prophet Isaiah that their sorrow will not last forever. He assures them of his comfort and strength in weakness.
Typically, today, the lives of the average Christian are filled with daily challenges. No matter how comfortable one is, life happens to everyone in different shades and forms; every one has their own peculiar problems.
However, there is hope for every man. According to Isaiah 61:3, God promises “to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”
See these Short Prayers for Comfort.
Does that sink in? Let’s explain it a little further.
What Does Isaiah 61:3 Mean by Beauty from Ashes?
Imagine someone who has been grieving for a long time, try to picture the person’s countenance. What do they look like? Of course, the person must be wearing a sad face, which also suggests that such an appearance isn’t pretty.
Now consider the phrase “beauty for ashes” as a metaphor that represents God’s glory and elegance that will replace the ashes (sorrow, grief) that one has had overtime. In other words, it symbolises the total turnaround that God promises those who mourn and grieve.
Read the Bible verse a little further and see the bundle of fortunes that God has in store for his children. For instance, he promises to replace their mourning with joy, and restore their peace. What a promise!
Therefore, the highlight of this Bible verse promising beauty for ashes is that there is hope in Christ when we look up to him. He knows us and our needs. Interestingly too, he has everything we need to live out our dreams and purpose in life. All you just need to do is to ask, even if it is with a mustard seed faith, then see what God will do.
FAQs
What is Isaiah 61 Talking about?
Isaiah 61 is a Bible verse that talks about replacing ashes with beauty, which is the promise of God for the children of Israel. It provides assurance about the transformative power of God and how he can change one’s situation from bad to good.
What Does Ashes Mean Spiritually?
In the spiritual sense, ashes mean many things. It is a symbol of mourning, loss and death. It also stands for soberness and repentance. Whatever, in this context, ashes represent the years of pain and grief that the children of Israel went through, which God now promises to replace with glory and beauty.
What Scripture Says Beauty for Ashes?
Again, Isaiah 61:3 is the Bible verse where the popular saying about beauty from ashes can be found. This scripture is very special to many people because it is a source of hope and comfort for them.
Conclusion
Here, we have discussed in detail the promise of God for the mourners. We saw how loving and affectionate God is, that He doesn’t want any discomfort for his children.
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