Don't Just Assume

"We said to ourselves, 'If anyone speaks disparagingly to us or to our children in the future, we'll say: Look at this model of God's Altar which our ancestors made. It's not for Whole-Burnt-Offerings, not for sacrifices. It's a witness connecting us with you'." (Joshua 22:28, The Message)

Here we find that the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an imposing altar at the edge of the Jordan. The rest of the Israelites are on the other side of the Jordan, and they have heard what these tribes have done. So, they send Phinehas, the priest, along with ten chief men, to go and find out what is going on. The Israelites assumed that the altar had been built in rebellion to God, and perhaps, they were going to start their own religion.

Phinehas, and the other men go in and start accusing, "What is this violation against the God of Israel that you have committed, turning your back on God and building your own altar—a blatant act of rebellion against God? . . . If you rebel against God today, tomorrow he'll vent his anger on all of us, the entire congregation of Israel." (vs. 15, 18). After this speech, the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh get a chance to speak, and tell the reason why the altar was built (found in vs. 28 above). They declare, "The Mighty One, God, the Lord---He knows!" After hearing the explanation, Phinehas and the other leaders return to Canaan, and report to the rest of the Israelites. They were glad to hear the report, and talked no more about going to war. Thankfully, they went and talked before they "went and fought".

So often, we may hear or see something and just assume that we know what it's all about. We don't even take an opportunity to go to that individual and find out the real truth. We declare 'war in our heart'. "Assuming the worse about the intentions of others only brings trouble. Israel averted the threat of civil war by asking before assaulting. Beware of reacting before you hear the whole story." (footnote, Life Application Bible).

God, help us not to jump to conclusions before knowing the whole truth. May we give others the "benefit of the doubt". Help us show love instead of posing war. Amen.