One of the proofs that this World has been cursed by the Fall (Romans 8:20-23) is that in it defilement spreads by contact, whereas holiness doesn’t (Haggai 2:11-13). By the same token, disease is contagious, whereas sadly good health isn’t. A Chikungunia epidemic (in the Indian context) can spread by a mosquito bite, but wholesome health doesn’t. Stretching this analogy, further, it has to be said that prejudice is “infectious”, whereas appreciative opinion about an acquaintance isn’t!
Coming to the Biblical realm, through this Series of three parts, I intend to bring to the fore some Scriptural instances of prejudice to be seen in…can you believe it…Godly people!…not the idolaters!!! As “all” Scripture is God-inspired (2 Timothy 3:16), with a view to teach us of the contemporary age “object lessons” (1 Corinthians 10:11), it would serve us well to learn some lessons from these incidents encapsulated under five sub-headings. Even as we go through this series, let’s resolve to not replicate those serious errors of judgment. Up the curtain (going in chronological order) and what do we see…Welcome to one of the oldest books in the Bible…Job!
Tribulation
One doesn’t have to look beyond the friends of Job to arrive at a conclusion (No prejudice against them, please!) that prejudice not only deeply hurts, but that it is also contagious. It has been jocularly said that with the kind of friends Job had, he did not need enemies. Weren’t they by his side, in the first place, to comfort him in the midst of all his sorrows? (Job 2:11). Whoever may have asked these “worthies” to play the detective in finding the root cause of Job’s difficulties, there they were, magnifying glass and all, surmising that his cup of woes was running over only because of his sins (Job 22:4-11). How wrong, since God himself had certified him to be the most righteous person on planet earth (Job 1:8)!
“Good men rejoice, while the wicked suffer at the hands of a just God” is the plaintive observation of not only the simple at heart, but also that of (it should be added) “simpletons” in faith.
Coming back to Job’s friends…An honest prayer to God seeking the main cause of Job’s problems would have made them come to grips with the truth that Job’s problems galore were an offshoot of a cosmic contest being “fought” in the spiritual realm. However, the “heart of the matter” with respect to their disposition, was that they showed “no heart” to pray & seek an answer from God about Job’s pitiable condition. On the other hand, they showed no qualms in applying salt to his copiously bleeding wounds, as it were, by way of their prickly accusations.
Wouldn’t God have revealed the “truth” to them about the “cosmic contest” if they had humbly sought His counsel in this matter, thereby “clothing” them with a much-needed humane spirit, even as they sought to counsel & comfort their saintly friend? The unsaid “dress code” at that sensitive juncture required that they don not a customary apparel of ‘sackcloth & ashes’, but a more fitting (to the occasion, that is) “clothing” of care. But prejudice held sway, and the end result? They inadvertently aggravated the problems of a grieving soul and ended up being ripe for God’s punishment. It was only God’s grace and Job’s timely intercessory prayers, guided by a forgiving spirit, that saved them from a just Divine comeuppance (Job 42:7-11).
“Altar”ation
“Alteration of the altar location” (permit me some alliteration please) by the Trans-Jordan tribes led to an altercation between them and other tribes in the early part of Israelite history (Joshua 22:10-30). Originally the Brazen altar for offering of the sacrifices was there at Shiloh (Joshua 18:1) as a part of the Revered tabernacle. But the Trans-Jordan tribes whilst going to occupy their land on the Eastern side of River Jordan after a 14 year “Conquest of Canaan” with an honest intention had constructed yet another altar resembling the Brazen one hoping it would “unalterably” serve as a :memorial of their Jewish antecedents for all posterity”.
However, their motives were not sought initially and the other tribes simply wanted to wipe em’ out for “blasphemy”. Fortunately wiser counsel prevailed eventually, and their motives behind such a “brazen action” of coming up with a replica of the Brazen altar were sought. When God-honoring reasons were doled out by these tribes at the receiving end of accusations, the anger of the other nine and half tribes was pacified.
Dear Christian friends, do we also on “slightest suspicion” of immorality/wrong-doing by our fellow brethren sound our “war buglers”, or do we care to thoroughly check-out the facts first (1 Timothy 5:19) before defaming them publicly?
Prayer: Father, we pray that you would always give us discretion to check all facts before confronting fellow-believers in sin lest we cause great spiritual damage to the innocent ones. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Suresh Manoharan
J and SM Ministries
(To access the entire “Operation ‘Eliminate Prejudice'” mini-series, please click here.)