History of Mirrors

It's difficult to nail down the invention of the mirror to any one man, or even a single culture. Archaeologists have discovered polished stones such as these in Turkey, dating to 6000 BC. There have been similar findings in South America and China. 

In the Old Testament any surface smooth enough to reflect rays of light to produce an image was called a glass. Mirrors were made in ancient Rome from molten bronze or copper and then polished to reflect the face.

In 1835 a German chemist named Justus von Liebig, created the first modern mirror by applying a layer of metallic silver to the back of a plain glass. This creation was a template for the first mass production of the modern mirror. 
We all use mirrors everyday for we all have a concern about our physical appearance. We want to ensure that we look presentable to the outside world. For some of us we want to be admired and look attractive.

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Types of Mirrors

1. The plane mirror shows the exact likeness of the object. The image is laterally inverted - left is right and right is left) Plane mirrors are used in lasers for personal grooming, in decoration, in architecture and in kaleidoscopes. (Slide Four)

2. Curved mirrors tend to give a distorted view and change the natural look of one’s appearance. The convex mirror curves outwards. The image produced is always upright smaller than the object. Objects seem further away than they really are. They are used are used in store- security, in sunglasses, and in rear view mirrors in vehicles.

The concave mirror curves outwards and generally gives an inverted image which varies in size. The image however can be upright and enlarged if you stand close enough to the mirror. Concave mirrors are used in cameras, binoculars, flashlights, shaving mirrors and solar ovens, We even want some mirrors to lie to us so we can avoid the truth. 

3. In the one-way mirror, also known as a two-way mirror, one-way glass, or two-way glass People on the brightly lit side see their own reflection—it looks like a normal mirror. People on the dark side see through it—it looks like a transparent window.
Such mirrors are used for one-way observation, in Interrogation rooms , experimental research security observation decks in public areas, and Market research. 

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Can We Find The Word Mirror In The Bible?

The word mirror is rendered glass in the bible as seen in the following texts.

1st Corinthians 13 v 12

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

2nd Corinthians 3 v 18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

James 4 v 23
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

The Word of God gives you a picture of what you really are, so the word of God is a Mirror

It is interesting to note that that when you stand in front of the mirror it cannot create the image. It only reveals what already exists. It may reveal things that you may not have noticed or that you would not like to see. It is reality. When we get older we do not use our mirrors as often as before.

Hebrews 4 v 12 – 13 tells us this:

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Note in verse 12 it say – The word is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. When we look into a mirror we see what our natural faces look like. It reveals our physical state. Often times we are not satisfied with our faces and wish we could have a face lift.

When we look into the mirror of God’s word our thoughts and hearts are exposed. The Word of God reveals our spiritual state. As Demonstrated in the plane Mirror the word of God shows us exactly what we were and what we are in Christ and what we shall be if we are faithful to the end.

We might want to fool ourselves and others and look elsewhere for answers – to science, to sports, to other gods. In so doing we get a distorted view of God’s word and give our own interpretation of the Word. We would rather believe the lie than the truth. As demonstrated by the curved mirrors.

The one-way mirror can be used to remind us that Jesus is looking at us for ‘all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. We stand naked before the eyes of God. No matter what we say that we are the word of God will show what we really are. We may be able to fool others, but we cannot pull wool over the eyes of God.

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What can we learn From The Mirror of God’s Word?

James 4: 22 – 25
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

1. The mirror in verse 22 is telling us that we should obey the word of God.

When a person obeys he keeps in his heart what he should be. When he disobeys he turns away from his spiritual reflection. If we are hearing the word and not doing as it says we are fooling ourselves.

2. In verse 23 the man who looks at his natural face in a glass -He sees that something needs to be done but he only sees it. Some people just sit back and wait for the Lord to make a difference. The Lord has commissioned us to go and make a difference in world, in deed and action based on the Word of God. Practical fruits are proof that the Word works in the heart. Otherwise the Word is only a mirror in which we see ourselves for a moment and forget about it.

3. When I look into a natural mirror and see that my face is unwashed I should wash it.

When the Children of God look into the mirror of god’s word they should take action to put the wrong things right. The unbeliever should turn to God and be saved. Just hearing the Word and understanding the Word is not enough. To obey is to use the Word of God as a mirror.

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What is the Purpose of Looking into the Mirror of God’s Word?

Having heard and obeyed what the mirror revealed we must be continually looking into the Bible. It is a mirror we must use continually. Every day we should take it with us everywhere we go like some people who treasure the natural mirror and continually check or admire themselves.

When we store the Word of God in our hearts that we might not sin against God we are taking the ‘Mirror of God’ with us. When we reflect on it the bible is with us. Very importantly our lives should reflect the word of God.

What then are the purposes of continually looking in the mirror of God’s Word? 
1. For examination
2. For restoration
3. For transformation

Firstly: The Mirror of Examination 

Before we leave home our mirrors tell us if we are tidy. We are careful about our appearance and rightly so. God also want us to look our best as his representatives. The Bible not only wants us to examine the outward appearance but also the inner man. The mirror of God’s word shows the areas that need special attention. The word will show us every inch of our lives that need correction.

2 timothy 2 verses 16 and 17 

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable, for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The Word of God will keep us in check and show us what needs to be straightened out in order to be ‘perfect’ before the Lord. Many are seeking answers to problems they see in their own lives, failing to realize that the same mirror that showed them the problem has given them what they need to solve it. Notice verse 16 ‘for instruction in righteousness’ Paul exhorts Timothy ‘To continue in the things thou has learned.

Some say the B-I-B-L-E is: 
Basic- Information- Before- Leaving- Earth.
Others say it is Back-In-Balance- Living- Evermore

Psalm 139 verse 23 and 24
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

David invites God to continue to searching his hear to root out any unrighteousness even when it is expressed against God’s enemies.

Secondly: The Mirror of Restoration

Before the priests in exodus 30 verse 17 -21 entered the tabernacle they had to wash their feet before entering the Holy Place. Although we are washed in the blood of the Lamb and forgiven of our sins we need to come to the Word of God for daily cleansing.

Exodus 38 verse 8:

And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the looking glasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
God’s Word is a ‘Mirror of Restoration’.

The Word that reveals sin, provides cleansing as seen in Psalm 119 vs 9.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Thirdly: The Mirror of Transformation

2 Corinthians 3 verse 18 
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

 When a child of God looks into the Word of God He sees the image of the Son of God for the glory of God. That is his purpose for our lives. God accepts us as we are. He is so pleased with Jesus that he wants us to look and act like Him in every facet of our lives.

Every thing that comes our way: every trial, every difficulty, every blessing – comes into our lives that we might be transformed into the image of His Son.

To believe him we must read and obey the word and live by the principles of the Bible. When we do these things we are transformed. We are changed – our attitude, our dress, our action, our speech will all change.

When we come to God by faith God does not want us to reform. He is in the transformation business and wants to totally transform us. Praise God that the day is coming when we will be changed into the same image of our risen Saviour. We will be changed from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

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In Conclusion:

Let us continue to look in the ‘spiritual mirror’:- studying and continuing in the Word. This was the secret of the success of the early church.

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2 v 42. Jesus told them in John 8 v 31 ‘If ye continue in my Word then are ye my disciples indeed.’

 Let us examine our lives carefully and see what needs to go. May we have the grace to acknowledge our shortcomings and do something about them. Oh that our image in the mirror measure up to God’s Word.

Search And Seek

Quiet Time with Dr. Joseph Halliday