Human response 358: Listen before Assuming

Joshua 22:13, 33-34 Ans the children of Israel sent unto the children of of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Giles’s, Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest,…and the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt. And the children and the children of Gad called the altar Ed: for it shall be a witness between us that the Lord is God.

When the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh returned to their land East of Jordan they built an altar at the Jordan. Israel regarded this as an act of rebellion against the God of Israel, and they gathered at Shiloh to go up to war against them. But before acting in battle they sent the High Priest to negotiate with them. Phinehas listened to them and learned that the 2 1/2 tribes did not build the altar as a place of rival worship, but rather as a memorial, or reminder, that are all united as one people under one God. When Phinehas and Israel heard this explanation they were satisfied and lived at peace and unity. And avoided war.

Instead of assuming the worst about someone, it is always a good idea to respond by going to the person and listen to their side of the story. Negotiation and listening is better than assuming and being at enmity. How much conflict could be avoided when responding with the loving patience to listen? And how much conflict is stirred up by not knowing or caring about the other’s motives and intentions? We learn the lesson not to think or talk bad of others.

We set up altars in our hearts not to worship a false god, but to be reminded of what the Lord has done for us. At the Sacrament of the Altar we “do this in remembrance of Me.”