Every once in a while, I get myself into a situation where I know I’ve been misunderstood. There are also times when I realize that I’ve misunderstood what somebody was trying to tell me. Without a doubt, we all experience this, don’t we?
As I’ve thought about this, I’m struck by the story in Joshua 22 (verses 10-34). It’s an example of a misunderstanding that certainly could have ended in disaster. In fact, if one group of people hadn’t explained themselves to another group, there would have been a war.
When Israel moved into the Promised Land, the land on the east side of the Jordan River was given to one group of people. After the East-siders helped the rest of Israel in battle, they returned to their allotted land and built “an altar of imposing size.” Plus, it looked identical to the altar God had the Israelites build for the Tabernacle. They shouldn’t have done this, however, as it was “unauthorized.” God had been very clear with them. He gave them instructions about where and how He wanted the altar built.
Explanation Needed
When the rest of the Israelites (the West-siders) heard about that altar, they gathered together to make war against them. Because the building of the altar was such a big deal, they were ready to actually fight a war.
Instead of going in with swords blazing, they first sent the priest and ten chiefs. As the heads of the other ten tribes of Israel, they were to confront the altar builders. They asked, “What is this breach of faith that you have committed against the God of Israel in turning away from following the Lord by building yourselves an altar in rebellion against the Lord? If you rebel against the Lord today, then tomorrow he will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel.” The altar builders then explained their thinking.
They had indeed been fearful. Afraid that (eventually) the other tribes of Israelites might say to them, “You have no portion in the Lord!” Because of this, they decided to build the giant altar as a copy of the one their fathers had made for the Lord’s Tabernacle. There wouldn’t be sacrifices or offerings on it.
So, they concluded, “Far be it from us that we should rebel against the Lord and turn away this day from following the Lord by building an altar for burnt offering, grain offering, or sacrifice, other than the altar of the Lord our God that stands before his tabernacle!” Then the people of Israel blessed God and spoke no more of making war against them.
Make Every Effort
How terrible it would have been if a family war had broken out over a misunderstanding like this. Think about it for a minute. I wonder how many of our friendships and relationships have been hurt or broken because of a misunderstanding? Likewise, how many of those strained relationships could be restored by a simple conversation? Ephesians 4:3 tells us to “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Striving,
Posted in A Word from the Pastor