The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing I will not be put to shame.
Isaiah 50:7
Flint is a hard sedimentary form of quartz and was long ago used as a tool. It also makes sparks when struck against metal. I imagine what a face "set like flint" would look like: steely eyed, firmly set jaw, and thin mouth with no noticeable expression. A face that is resistant to the hostility or anger. Perhaps a face void of emotion.
I also want to add the quality of the spark to this picture though because flint makes a spark which can generate a flame under the right circumstances. So if the soul of the flint faced person also interiorly submits to God's will and trusts in his way, then besides being void of external emotion there is an inner peace that comes from following God's will and believing in the power of love.
We don't have to wear these flint faces this Holy Week as we prepare for Easter, but it is worth looking into our interior spiritual lives and see where there is peace and where there may be conflict so we can resolve those areas and enjoy this next weekend's Easter, celebrating the Risen Christ who overcame sin and death.
