Love more, judge not
“Bring her out, and let her be burned! Judah demanded” (NLT) Genesis 38:24b
Bible reading: Genesis 38:1-26
It is quite easy to point fingers at others when something sinful or awful happens to them, “they are terrible sinners to be caught in this situation”, we may think in our hearts.
Tamar was a widow and a daughter-in-law to Judah, but Judah got her pregnant without knowing. Now, “about three months later, Judah was told, ‘Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has acted like a prostitute. And now, because of this, she’s pregnant.’” And the very culprit of this act (Judah), speedily pronounced judgement: “Bring her out, and let her be burned!” (Genesis 38:24)
How true it is with us too in judging people most of the time. Certainly, one may be wrong or may have sinned, and sin must be rebuked (1Timothy 5:20), but judgment is in the hands of the only one Judge. (James 4:12)
Judah in realizing the situation in proper perspective had to admit humbly, “she is more righteous than I am” (Genesis 38:26)
Therefore, when one hardly judges others, and yet finds room to rebuke where needed without appearing self-righteous, then a great love deed has been done.