Passing Premature Judgment

Imagine that you are in a courtroom. You are nervously sitting in the Defendants chair. For months you have been waiting for this opportunity to come. Your lawyer spent countless hours working to prove that you are innocent. Suddenly, there is a hush in the courtroom. Everyone stands as the bailiff announces the arrival of the judge. The judge intently looks at you and the Plaintiff. He spends time looking each of you over before stating the words, “The Defendant looks guilty and therefore must be guilty. Case dismissed.” Without listening to an argument from either side or examining the evidence the judge came to a decision. The judge passed premature judgment and convicted someone who is innocent.

While this does not occur in a courtroom, premature judgment occurs more than it should. Far too often physical looks are taken into consideration. It seems to be somewhat of a natural tendency. Too much consideration is given to materialistic things. We act like Samuel when we do so. God sent Samuel to Jesse the Bethlehemite, the father of the one who was going to be the new king (1 Samuel 16:1). Samuel looked at the physical stature of Eliab and said, “Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him (1 Samuel 16:6). Eliab was Jesse’s firstborn son (1 Chronicles 2:13). While Samuel looked at the physical, God looked elsewhere. “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). The true person is found within the in the heart of the individual.

Eliab was physically impressive as he was a member of Saul’s army (1 Samuel 17:13) but he was spiritually weak. This proves true due to his strong rebuke toward David for leaving the sheep unattended and his accusation toward the youngest sibling as to why David had come to the battle (1 Samuel 17:28). David came because Jesse, their father, wanted to send provisions to David’s brethren (1 Samuel 17:17-18). Eliab accused David of coming for other reasons. Eliab also showed a lack of trust in God during this battle. He would not fight Goliath for one giant reason. Eliab feared Goliath. After all, “…all the men of Israel, when they heard this man, fled from him, and were sore afraid” (1 Samuel 17:24). Samuel may have seen a strong leader in Eliab, but God saw Eliab for who he was. Instead, God chose David, Eliab’s youngest brother, to be the next king. He was not as physically strong or capable as his brother, but God saw his heart and told Samuel, “Arise, anoint him: for this is he” (1 Samuel 16:12). While not a perfect king, David did his best to keep God’s laws. When he failed to do so, David is one of the best examples of accepting responsibility of his mistakes and finding forgiveness. It should not be forgotten that David also trusted in God during his battle with Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45-47).

When looking at the outer appearance of someone, do not automatically place judgment. Remember, some of the most beautiful people by the standards of this world are some of the ugliest spiritually. Christ said it best when he stated, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).