Sunday, April 16
Civil war averted
Scripture: Joshua 21-22, 1 Corinthians 3
Joshua 22:12–14 When the Israelites heard this, the entire Israelite community assembled at Shiloh to launch an attack against them. 13 The Israelites sent Phinehas, son of Eleazar, the priest, to the land of Gilead to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. 14 He was accompanied by ten leaders, one from each of the Israelite tribes, each one a family leader among the Israelite clans.
Observation
Joshua released the soldiers from the 2.5 tribes whose inheritance lay on the eastern side of the Jordan. On their way home, they built an altar on the western bank of the Jordan, a replica of the altar in the tabernacle. Israel assumed it was for sacrifice—something the Lord had forbidden—and prepared to go to war with their brothers.
Fortunately, before launching hostilities, the Israelites sent a delegation led by Phinehas to ask what the 2.5 tribes were doing. They learned that the altar wasn’t for sacrifice but was a witness, a reminder that the 2.5 tribes were part of Israel and worshiped the same God. The altar symbolically said, “Don’t forget about us. We are with you.” The Israelite delegation reported what they heard, and everyone was satisfied, and civil war averted.
A misunderstanding based on negative attribution was corrected by a simple conversation.
Application
First, don’t make negative attributions. Don’t assume the worst; assume the best. It’s like our legal system: you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. We need to do the same thing personally: assume the best about others.
Second, if you have questions or concerns, have a conversation. So many problems and conflicts could be resolved peaceably if we would start with curiosity rather than judgment, ask questions and listen. Jesus counseled this in Matthew 18:15. Go to your erring brother and have a conversation. It doesn’t always work—Jesus acknowledged that. But it often does, and this story is an excellent example of conflict avoided by having a conversation.
Prayer: Lord, I love You. I confess that I can jump to negative conclusions with the best of them! Help me to assume to best, not the worst, and to move toward the other with curiosity and have a conversation. Help me to be a peacemaker, not a warmonger.