גבה ?High or Haughty
MA‘OLUNGA PE KO E ‘AFUNGI
1 SAMUEL 9:1-2
THERE WAS A MAN OF BENJAMIN WHOSE NAME WAS KISH, THE SON OF ABIEL, SON OF ZEROR, SON OF BECORATH, SON OF APHIAH, A BENJAMINITE, A MAN OF WEALTH. AND HE HAD A SON WHOSE NAME WAS SAUL, A HANDSOME YOUNG MAN. THERE WAS NOT A MAN AMONG THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL MORE
HANDSOME THAN HE. FROM HIS SHOULDERS UPWARD HE WAS TALLER THAN ANY OF THE PEOPLE.
1 SAMIUELA 9:1-2
1 PEA na‘e ai ha matāpule Penisimani ko hono hingoa ko Kisi, ko e foha ‘o ‘Apieli, foha ‘o Sīloli, foha ‘o Pekolate, foha ‘o ‘Āfaia, ko e hako‘i Penisimani, ko e tangata koloa‘ia lahi. 2 Pea na‘e ai hono foha na‘e hingoa ko Saula, ko e talavou pea toulekeleka; pea na‘e ‘ikai ha tangata ‘i ha‘a ‘Isileli na‘e toulekeleka ange: ko hono uma ‘o fai ki ‘olunga na‘e hopo hake ‘i he kakai kotoa.
When the Bible tells us someone is short, long-haired, or handsome, it's not a literary incidental. Their physicality will feature in the narrative. Saul is tall and handsome. That sounds attractive, but let the reader beware. First, "handsome" is tov, the generic word for "good." Is Saul morally good or just easy on the eyes? We find out as we read on. Second, he's gavoah, which means "tall" but also can mean "arrogant." Which will it be, high or haughty - or both? Saul may appear the ideal political candidate, but remember: "the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7).
The Messiah "had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him" (Isa. 53:2). Appearances are deceptive. He of no outward beauty nor majesty would accomplish a redemption so stunning that words do not suffice to describe it.
Look on us, heavenly Father, as those robed in the beauty of your Son's grace.
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