Is it good to show favoritism toward someone over another?
Sometimes we hold someone dear to our hearts, but if it were to hurt another person to show that favoritism, imagine how it could cause such pain to others who witness it. I do think we all have certain likes and tastes for different things, and we tend to gravitate towards certain people. It is a natural instinct. But just because it is natural doesn't mean the we shouldn't exercise some type of practice to be all-inclusive.
Most people don't set out to intentionally hurt others. On the other hand, the story of Jacob’s sons, recorded in Genesis, set out to murder Joseph, who was their father's favorite. God rescued Joseph and used him for a higher purpose to save the Jews from dying during the famine. Ultimately who
is in control? God is. However, favoritism by humans throughout history leads to unfavorable outcomes of pain and hurt, even death. One of the most destructive documented slaughters in history was Hitler, who favored non-Jews. Millions upon millions died because of this corrupt leader who spread hate.
Many Jews failed to believe that Jesus was the Messiah and that He was sent for all people to receive salvation. However, the Jews are God’s chosen people from whom Jesus the Messiah descended. God loves the Jews and rescued them out of slavery in Egypt. He gifted them with the land of Israel which was promised them.
Just this past week I saw an incident at Columbia University where a professor, who is Jewish, was denied access to campus and all buildings where he taught. He had spoken out against the terrorism which is taking place in the region of God’s people and land that He gave His people. One of our amendments to the U.S. Constitution is freedom of speech, and yet because this professor spoke out about terrorists, he was exiled from his place of business. This raises concern about our abilities as a nation to love our neighbor.
We are called to protect God’s people. We are also called to love everyone. It is a commandment from God to love our neighbor. Human sin can strike from any number of human characteristics. We are called to discipline our hearts and minds with God’s word and learn from past mistakes. Only steps taken to protect and discipline our actions will keep us from sinning and repeating a downtrodden fall to our own sinful natures. God looking out for His people is not favoritism, but keeping His promise.
Exodus 6: 6- 9“ Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am the Lord.’ So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of spirit and cruel bondage.”
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