Ed
February 27, 2000
Dear Friends:
In Joshua chapter 22, we find Joshua allowing the men of the east side of the river Jordan to return home after they have fulfilled their obligation to assist in conquering the land. The children of Israel, in part, achieved the “rest” from their wanderings in the wilderness.
Without consulting their brethren, the Israelites on the east side of the Jordan River, erect a replica of the altar found at Shiloh which they name Ed or “a witness.”. This act is immediately assumed to be an act of apostasy. The Israelites on the western side of the Jordan assemble an army at Shiloh and prepare for battle. In an effort perhaps to divert an all out disaster, they send a delegation to implore the errant two and one half tribes to turn away from their sin. Only then do they find out that the two and a half tribes were not building an alternative to the one true altar of Shiloh, but were securing their future with the tribes on the other side of the Jordan. Finally understanding the significance of their action, the men return home in peace and pleased with their brethren’s misunderstood actions.
This story stands to illustrate several lessons for us. First, it is a common frailty of the flesh to assume the worst of others. Where is the trust between these comrades in arms? It is natural to assume that an altar is for sacrifice and therefore would have been a violation of God’s command. However, it appears very little thought was given that the altar may have been erected for a Godly purpose. “Logical” conclusions were reached and action taken without considering and assuming the best possible motives for their brethren. We should remember this and the following passage from Philippians 2. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
The second lesson is one of communication. It would have been wise of the brethren of the eastern side of the Jordan to let their brethren on the western side know what they were doing before they acted. It would have been wise for the men on the western side of the Jordan to talk to their brethren and see if this can be settled without bloodshed before an army is gathered. Communication is so important in building trust. They had fought together side by side for so long to communicate so poorly on such an important matter.
Finally, this account serves to demonstrate that the Israelites on the eastern side were answerable to their brethren on the western side. So many times, we see ourselves as islands only responsible for ourselves. If we chose a course of action, we must be prepared to give an answer to brethren who may not understand our intent. Although we are first and foremost answerable to our heavenly Father, we have obligations to our brethren and must be able to provide sound reasons for our actions. As further proof of this, it wasn’t too much later that the tribes had degraded themselves to the time of the Judges when every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Ultimately, any action that a true believer takes should be an Ed; that is “a witness between us that the LORD is God.” (Joshua 22:34).
Comments»
No comments yet.