It is sooooo easy to be prejudiced against God! Or maybe you don’t agree with this statement. Here is a definition of prejudice: an unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially when formed without enough thought or knowledge. The word is formed from two Latin words: “judice” is judgment. “pre” is before. So the word means judgment before; that is, making a judgment before having true knowledge or understanding.
In reading through Job this time, it dawned on me that each primary character in this drama is actually prejudiced against God. (By the way, each is also prejudiced against Job.)
First, we see that Satan was prejudiced against God. It appears that he thought God blessed Job to “entice” him to follow Him. Read for yourself: So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” (Job 1:9-11) He assumed that God and Job were in a “you scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours” kind of relationship; that is, a works-based relationship. Satan was dead wrong. After God allowed Satan to take away his possessions, his loved ones, and his health, and his wife encouraged him to “curse God and die!”, Job responded to her, You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (Job 2:10) Later Job stated, Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. (Job 15:13a) This was not a works-based relationship but one based on genuine love and trust.
Secondly, we see that Job’s friends were prejudiced against God. Note these statements, by Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar respectively. All three are true in themselves, but misapplied to Job.
- Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole. (Job 5:17-18) He is saying that Job’s suffering is all about God’s chastening. False!
- And the hope of the hypocrite shall perish, whose confidence shall be cut off, and whose trust is a spider’s web. (Job 8:13b,14) He is saying that Job is a hypocrite. False!
- Know therefore that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves. (Job 11:6b) He is saying that Job’s suffering is a result of his sin, and he actually deserves more punishment from God. False!
Thirdly, we see that even Job was prejudiced against God at times. There are many examples of this, but I will cite just one example here. Job says to God, Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, so that I am a burden to myself? God had not set Job as His target to inflict pain on him (Job 7:20). Yes, and we also can be prejudiced against God and His Word at times, without learning more of His character and the whole counsel of God.
As the book progresses, all these prejudiced statements are shown as being falsely applied to God, and His true character is seen. This will be the same with our lives, if we just step back, take a deep breath, wait on the Lord, and refrain from pre-judging God. He will reveal His true character to us as we seek Him with our whole hearts.