Diamond Cuts

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men. (Proverbs 22:29 NAS)

Before mathematical diamond cutting was formulated by Belgian craftsman Marcel Tolkowsky in 1919, chisels, mallets and other diamonds were used by craftsmen to painstakingly cut diamonds by hand, according to an article by Kaye Wagner at eHow.com. Few craftsmen were skilled enough to create jewelry-grade diamonds in those days because of the difficult process and the lack of skilled workers. Arguably, the diamond's cut is its most important characteristic. A diamond that is cut well is better at reflecting light than one that is cut less skillfully. Specialty cuts have more facets than regular cuts and create more sparkles of light.

The Bible tells us that a man skilled in his work stands before kings rather than obscure men (Proverbs 22:29). In today’s context, this is akin to the preference of a skilled worker over the unskilled. A person who is an expert in a particular field of work or study is usually valued more by the hirer or is respected by people.

Like the expert craftsmen and skilled workers, the Bible exhorts us to be diligent to present ourselves approved to God as workmen who do not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). In order for us to become experts in handling the word of truth, however, we need first to study God’s word in depth and be trained.

Too often many of us have allowed our sins rather than God’s word to be inscribed with an iron chisel, engraved with a diamond point on our stony hearts and altars of our own desires (Jeremiah 17:1). Although by this time we ought to be teachers, we have need again for someone to teach us the elementary principles of God’s word, and have come to need milk instead of solid food. Everyone who lives on milk is an infant and is not accustomed to the word of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice has senses trained to discern good and evil (Hebrews 5:12-14).

Are we unskilled in the word of truth? Are we neglecting the studying of God’s word? If we are, we need to grow up to become experts. Like newborn babies longing for pure spiritual milk to grow in respect to salvation, let us crave to have God’s word inscribed and stored in our hearts that we might not sin against God (1 Peter 2:2-3; Psalm 119:11).

Just as specialty cuts in diamonds through more facets create more sparkles of light, let God’s word sharpen us in and through all aspects of our lives to brightly shine. Equip and root ourselves in God’s word so as to better reflect Christ our Lord—the hope of glory and light of the world (John 8:12; Colossians 1:27).

Dear Lord, thank You for Your written word that equips us for every good work. Inscribe on our hearts Your precious word Lord that we might grow to have our senses trained to discern good and evil rather than remain in need of elementary principles. Sharpen our lives through Your word Lord to better reflect You in us, for we desire to shine brightly to reveal Your light and glory to this darkened world.