Tag: favoritism

Fighting For Our Fathers

Dale Pollard

Nebuchadnezzar became a beast in some form or fashion because of his pride in Daniel 4. Oddly enough we find out that his grandson, Belshazzar, falls into the same sinful snare in the very next chapter. This makes for more than an interesting story because it serves as an example of a common thread within scripture. The phrase “like father, like son” rings true in a negative way more often than not. It’s surprising to read of the many heroes of the faith who were failures as fathers. It’s almost disheartening to discover that it’s more common to find stories of poor parenting than successful ones. As tragic as these accounts are, it’s a blessing to have and learn from them. Let’s look into a few of these examples. 

Lot (Genesis 19.6-8)

Lot not only chose to pitch his tent outside of Sin City (Gen.13.12), he eventually moved his family into Sodom as well. In chapter 19 we read, “So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him, and said, ‘Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly! See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof’” (6-8). Not long after these shocking verses, Lot’s remaining daughters take advantage of him in a cave after being saved from Sodom. Clearly Lot wasn’t a great father. 

ISAAC (Genesis 25)

Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob (Gen.25.28). Favoritism among parents is not uncommon to read about in scripture but this never seems to work out in the end. Issac was a weak father in other areas as well. He marries a deceptive wife and fails to rule his family in a God-fearing way. 

JACOB (GENESIS 37)

Like father, like son. Jacob shows favoritism towards Joseph and because of this we read the following, 

“Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because he had been born to him in his old age, and he made an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him” (Gen. 37.3-4). 

ELI (I SAMUEL 2.22-25)

“Now Eli was very old, and he heard everything his sons did to all of Israel, and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the Lord’s people transgress… Nevertheless, they did not heed the voice of their father, because the Lord desired to kill them” (22-25b) 

Eli was a priest at Shiloh, but he was a pitiful parent. His sons, Hophni and Phineas, were allowed to make sacrifices to the Lord but they were known among the community as acting extremely wickedly. They fornicated with women in the tabernacle and stole sacrificial meats from the people. So horrible were they that the Israelites began to “abhor the sacrifices to the Lord” (v.17). 

Young Samuel, who was being raised by Eli in the temple, receives a vision from God who says that He is going to destroy Eli’s boys, but Eli’s response to this news is rather flippant. He says, “the Lord will do what is right according to Him.” Sure enough, the prophecy plays out exactly as God said it would and Eli ends up dying upon hearing of it in I Samuel 4. 

Sadly, Samuel turns out to be a failure as a father as well as the king, David, that he anoints. 

While these accounts aren’t uplifting to read, they serve as humbling warnings to fathers today. If you want to be a faithful father, you’re going to have to fight for it. 

Consulting The New Testament For How To Treat The Jews Today

 

Neal Pollard

Six months after the deadly shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a similar attempt was made on the Chabad Synagogue in San Diego this weekend (4/27/19). Although Jewish people are not the only ones targeted in attacks toward religious and non-religious targets, hatred and violent acts against Jews are some of the most severe and ancient known to the world. Antisemitism has often been so strong and passionate, it is incredible. Stereotypes against them are sweeping and staunch. Among those professing to be Christians, there is a wide range of views and false extremes at both ends. Let us consider some truths and then a few applications.

  • Jesus was a Jew (Mat. 1:1-17).
  • All the apostles were Jews (Matt. 10:2ff; Acts 1:21-26; Phil. 3:5-6).
  • Some of the greatest Bible heroes, including Moses, David, Elijah and the prophets, Esther, and more, were Jews.
  • Jews prompted the Romans to cause Jesus’ death (Mark 15). 
  • Salvation came first to the Jews (Rom. 1:16). 
  • The first Christians were Jews (Acts 2-9).
  • The Jews were God’s chosen people to bring the Messiah for the benefit of the whole world (Gal. 3:23-29). 
  • Jesus fulfilled the Old Law (Mat. 5:17), and by His death He ended the religious separation between Jew and Gentile (Eph. 2:11-21).
  • Jews and Gentiles are all saved by the same “Way” (John 14:6; Rom. 11). 
  • Though some believe the Jews are suffering from the curse they placed on themselves when Jesus was crucified (Mat. 27:25), that is no justification for any mistreatment of the Jews today.
  • True, New Testament Christianity seeks to harm no one (Mat. 10:16) and wants to embrace any who come to Christ (Rev. 22:17; Rom. 15:7). So, anyone doing violence in the name of Jesus is misusing and abusing His name!
  • Premillennialists, who in their misunderstanding seek to elevate the city of Jerusalem or modern-day Israel, misunderstand the nature of Christ’s Kingdom and the end of time (Mat. 24:36ff; 2 Pet. 3:10; etc.).
  • No race is inherently superior or inferior (Acts 17:26; Gal. 3:28-29). God is not one to show partiality (Acts 10:34), so neither should we.
  • God wants every Jew to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4).

These are just some of the Bible facts to keep in mind when considering our own feelings or testing the feelings of others against Abraham’s descendants. In a world of hate and fear, Christians are to rise above such (Col. 3:1-2). While most Jews (and Gentiles) will refuse the gospel (cf. Mat. 7:13-14), our heart and efforts should be dedicated to trying to share it with anyone and everyone who is willing. Hateful words and harmful conduct are the characteristics of those against Christ and certainly do not represent Him!

Jewish Star Of David Ornament Religion Judaism

Should Obese Kids Get Candy?

Neal Pollard

The cynic surely believes this lady is feeding her urge for 15 minutes of fame or seeking an outlet for her social ideology.  The tenderhearted finds it cruel and unfeeling.  The overweight likely are offended.  The objective observer still must be shaking his or her head in disbelief. The Fargo, North Dakota, woman, who identifies herself only as Cheryl set off a firestorm when she called in to a local radio station declaring she was going to give those she deemed overweight children an “obese letter” in addition to candy this upcoming Halloween (Fox News Story).  We’ll see if she has the courage to go through with it, what with a national spotlight and all.  But, there is no doubt how she feels.

Are there some people to whom you would not give food or candy because of their size.  That seems unfair and pretty prejudiced behaviour, doesn’t it?  How cold and unfeeling does one have to be to be so arbitrary and callous?

But, do we ever do that in other ways?  As Christians, are we ever selective?  Do we ever discriminate in our evangelism, benevolence, fellowship, or other outreach?  Do we ever judge based on their skin color or ethnicity, their present morality or lack thereof, their seeming scamming or dishonesty as they hold the sign at the traffic light, or their plain clothes or less hygienic appearance even in our own assemblies?

At first, I thought this lady’s behavior incredulous.  Actually, I still do.  But, I am also filled with a conviction to do some introspection.  Do I do what she’s doing, but in different ways?  I shouldn’t.  After all, Paul writes that we should “not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly” (Rom. 12:16).  That’s what Jesus did, and the Pharisees and scribes judged Him for it (Luke 15:2).  James warns us not to have an attitude of personal favoritism because making distinctions between people makes us judges with evil motives (Jas. 2:1-5).  Isn’t that the heart of the matter, right there?  We are not judges but servants.  Our motivation is supplied to us by the Savior, and that is to save souls (cf. Jude 23). Whose souls? Who’s ever we can!