Exodus 38:8 - Homilies By J. Orr

The mirrors of the women.

The women assembling at the door of the tabernacle (see Hengstenberg's "Egypt and the Books of Moses,"—"The Institution of Holy Women ") gave up their mirrors for the making of the laver. Learn—

1 . Peculiar devotion to God expresses itself in acts of sacrifice.

2 . Religion gives power to make sacrifices.

3 . It weans the affections from the world.

4 . It gives superiority to the motives of personal vanity. The mirror is peculiarly a woman's instrument of self-pleasing. It is her means of pleasing the world.

5 . Religion teaches godly women to study simplicity in personal adornment ( 1 Peter 3:1-5 ).

6 . Self-denial in outward adornment is valueless, unless" in the hidden man of the heart," there be the positive inward adornment of holiness ( 1 Peter 3:4 ). This was taught by the use to which Moses put the offerings—the making of the "laver." Regeneration is the true beautifier.— J . O .