As Christians, we know that God created each of us with purpose and love. Our physical attributes, including our height, are ordained by Him. Though the world may place greater value on the tall, the Bible reminds us that our worth comes not from our stature but from Christ alone. In this post, we’ll explore what the Bible teaches about short people and the lessons we can learn from Scripture.
God Looks at the Heart, Not Outward Appearance
First and foremost, the Bible is clear that while humans look at external qualities like height, God sees our hearts and character. When the prophet Samuel was sent to anoint Israel’s future king, he assumed the tallest, most impressive son of Jesse would be God’s chosen. But the Lord said to him:
“Do not look at his appearance or on the height of his stature…For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
Though Jesse’s sons were all tall and handsome, God chose David, the overlooked shepherd boy, to lead Israel. Why? Because David’s heart was fully devoted to the Lord, despite his unimpressive stature.
As Christians, we are called to follow God’s example. Rather than judging by outward qualities, we are to discern the spirits by the fruit of righteousness in a person’s life. Though the world may overlook the short, God sees their hearts and knows their spiritual maturity.
Short Heroes of the Bible
In addition to David, the Bible contains many examples of short heroes who accomplished great things for God. Consider just a few:
- Zacchaeus – Though short in stature, Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree to get a glimpse of Jesus, humbling himself before the Savior. Jesus recognized his faith, saying, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:1-9).
- Paul – Described as “unimpressive” and “contemptible” in appearance, the Apostle Paul had a giant impact (2 Corinthians 10:10). God chose this diminutive man to take the gospel across the Roman world.
- Timothy – A young disciple, Timothy may have been small and weak in the eyes of others. But the Apostle Paul saw great spiritual potential, mentoring him to become one of the church’s first bishops (1 Timothy 4:12).
Despite their physical limitations, these heroes accomplished great works for God through faith. Their examples remind us that spiritual maturity and calling come through humility, not height.
Blessings for the Righteous of All Statures
Another key lesson is that God blesses and honors the righteous, regardless of stature. Psalm 37 says that those who wait upon the Lord:
“shall inherit the earth” and “Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:9, 37:4).
These promises are not just for the tall, but for all who follow God’s ways. Micah 6:8 says the Lord requires us:
“To do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly” with Him.
When we meet God’s standards, He will bless us abundantly whether we are tall or short in the eyes of man.
In the Beatitudes, Jesus declares blessed are the meek, merciful, and pure in heart (Matthew 5:3-12). He makes no mention of physical attributes, only the posture of our hearts. When we walk in righteousness, we gain the true blessings of Christ.
Lessons from Jesus’ Life
Finally, examining Jesus’ life offers important lessons about how we should perceive and treat short people as Christians. First, it’s striking that God chose to send His Son as a humble carpenter, rather than a mighty ruler. Isaiah 53:2 says of Jesus:
“He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him.”
Though the perfect Son of God, Jesus did not stand out for his impressive stature or appearance. But through his compassion, mercy, and love for the “least of these,” he fulfilled the Father’s will in magnificent ways.
Jesus’ treatment of people also sets an example. He touched lepers, embraced children, and welcomed every person who sought Him, whether tall or short. And He sharply rebuked His disciples for preventing children from coming to Him (Matthew 19:13-14). Like Christ, we are to value each person as an immortal soul, never looking down on others due to appearance.
The Bible is clear – our worth comes from who we are in Christ, not our height. While the world judges by outward qualities, God sees our hearts. When we walk in righteousness, God blesses us abundantly, no matter our stature. And Jesus’ example calls us to embrace every person with Christ’s unconditional love.
So let us honor short people for their character while pointing them to the heights of God’s purpose. For in the end, it is our faith in Christ that raises us to true spiritual stature.
Key Takeaways:
- God looks at the heart while humans judge by outward appearance
- Many short heroes like David accomplished great things through humble faith
- God’s blessings are for the righteous of all statures when we walk in His ways
- Jesus valued and embraced people of all appearances, setting an example for Christians
- Our real worth comes from our identity and spiritual maturity in Christ
I hope this overview of what the Bible teaches about short people has been meaningful. Despite the world’s focus on height, God has made each of us wonderfully in His image. When we treat others as He would, remember our identity in Christ, and seek righteousness over appearances, we walk in God’s purpose and will be blessed.
