One preacher lambasted the bridegroom for having a beard, advised him to remove it and the bride to nudge him to do so in a wedding ceremony. Interestingly he quoted from the life of Joseph: Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh.” (Genesis 41:14) The preacher did not know David pretended to be insane, allowing saliva to fall on his beard. (I Samuel 21:13) Hanun an Ammonite king had cut the beard of David’s delegation; David asked them to stay in Jericho until their beard was grown and then come back to Jerusalem. (I Chronicles 19:5) Messiah, Lord Jesus Christ’s beard was plucked. (Isaiah 50:6) The priests were commanded how to maintain their beard. (Leviticus 19:27; 21:5)
1) Biblical illiteracy: Sadly, many preachers are illiterate when it comes to the Bible. They know a few stories or portions or choose pet verses and speak. Probably, the preacher did not like beard, hence, took an incident from Joseph’s life as proof text to justify his unbiblical stand.
2) Preaching non-essentials: In a wedding, when many people come from different faith backgrounds, the preacher was expected to teach what the Bible teaches about marriage. Instead of themes like Marriage covenant, love in marriage, God honouring marriage; the preacher’s theme was: ‘Marriage without beard.’ Golden opportunity to teach was wasted in brooding about non-essentials.
3) Content: People who come want to listen to the Word of God. “For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 2:7) When listeners are expecting instruction and a message from the Lord, the preacher speaks silly things that do not edify anyone.
4) Context: Without knowing the context, preachers talk about death in a birthday party; Rahab’s former life as prostitute in a marriage; Jacob and his wives in wedding anniversary and so on.
Do I learn, live and teach the truth or debate trivia?