Genesis 39:17 And she spoke unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me. 18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. 19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.
This tendency to draw conclusions based on what a person sees, or the evidences of one’s senses is one of the reasons why some marriages are in trouble, because favorable impressions are made, up front to the point where persons may neglect to do their homework, and due diligence, and just like Samuel, what might have seemed as gold initially, turned out to be iron mixed with miry clay.
Therefore, on the issue of drawing conclusions that are based on intelligence, gut feeling, circumstantial evidence, and outward appearance, it is always best for us to be humble, knowing that we can be wrong, and for this reason we should be willing to give God the last word, since He makes evaluations internally.
However, the caution against judging, given in our first passage, primarily has to do with the tendency to judge motive, which in many instances, can only be determined by God, who sees all, and knows all. There are times when mortals could make a precise determination on motive, especially when the hard evidence is coming from the horses’ mouth.
Genesis 19:4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: 5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!