January 1999 Issue

Prejudices...

BIASES AGAINST MEN

by Nick Law

Examples of prejudice abound in history. Prejudice strictly defined is a preformed and unsubstantiated judgment or opinion about an individual or a group, either favorable or unfavorable. It concerns preference or mental views most often denoting an irrational unfavorable attitude toward others. In practice, prejudiced attitudes often have proved hard to eradicate in our society, even when integration is enforced by law.

CAIN AND ABEL

We introduce Cain and Abel to us bringing their offerings to God. We are told, (Gen. 4) Abel "was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground." The Lord had respect unto Abel's offering, the firstling of his flock and of their fat, but God did not respect Cain and his offering of the fruit of the ground. Why did the Lord have regard to Abel's and not Cain's? It is evident as we handle aright the scriptures, that Abel offered by FAITH (Heb. 11:4) a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. God's favor was in view of the fact that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:17). God had respect due to His law that He gave. Abel was righteous by obedience to God's word. Cain vented his feelings of irrational attitude toward God and his Word, by killing his brother. The lesson for us is that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother (1 John 3:10-15).

JOSEPH AND FAMILY

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? (Proverbs 27:4). Sometimes it is the environment of the family that is the beginnings of prejudice. Jacobs life is affected by the deception of his father Isaac by Rebecca and himself in obtaining the birthright from Esau. The result, he fled for his life to the homeland of his mother and where he met Rachael and Leah. Laban, their father, deceived Jacob who first married Leah then later married Rachael. Jacob had twelve sons by his wives and handmaids. Joseph and brethren reflects the training that comes from the love for Rachael above that of Leah. (Ge 37:4) "And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him." This had an affect on the revelation and truths given to Joseph by God in dreams of what the future held! (Gen 37:8) "And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words." (Gen 37:11) "And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying." Jacob having deceived Isaac is now deceived into believing a lie, that Joseph is dead. Jacob and his sons are reaping what they have sown. God was able to take the evil actions of these envious brethren and turn it into good. The question is asked, "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?" The answer is CERTAINLY NOT!! (Rom. 6:1-2). We will be judged for our words, actions and thoughts. Be sure your sins will find you out! Bias toward men will lead us in the wrong direction spiritually and cause us to draw improper conclusions when truth is presented.

ELIAB AND DAVID

David having been anointed in the midst of his brethren by Samuel, later is sent by Jesse his father on an errand. He was to take dried grain and ten loaves to his brothers and bring back news of them. Also David was to take ten cheeses to the captain of their thousands. David heard Goliath's challenge and spoke to the men who stood by. He questioned, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? (1 Sam. 17:12- 28). And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle." Our prejudices cause us to jump to conclusions that are unfair and incorrect. (Pr 18:19) "A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle." We ought to esteem one another with affection and mercy. Nothing should be done by the Christian through selfish ambition or deceit. We must look out for our own interests, but also for the interest of others. Lets us judge righteously by looking at all the facts and following the rules of treating others the way we would want them to treat us. This will require us to be of the same mind one to another and pleasing our neighbor for his good to edification.

[Editor's Note: Thanks to Nick Law for the article! He can be reached at nlaw@Traveller.com 16335 Miller Street, Athens, AL. 35611]

Email the Editor at markjward@yahoo.com