AVOIDING CONFLICT

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Joshua 22:30-31,33-34

When Phinehas the priest and the leaders of the community—the heads of the clans of Israel—heard this from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, they were satisfied.
Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, replied to them, “Today we know the Lord is among us because you have not committed this treachery against the Lord as we thought. Instead, you have rescued Israel from being destroyed by the hand of the lord.”
And all the Israelites were satisfied and praised God and spoke no more of war against Reuben and Gad.
The people of Reuben and Gad named the altar “Witness,” for they said, “It is a witness between us and them that the Lord is our God, too.”


Reading through Joshua 22 (read through the chapter), we have a record of war about to begin among the children of Israel. It all came from a rumour:


Joshua 22:10-12
But while they were still in Canaan, and when they came to a place called Geliloth near the Jordan River, the men of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh stopped to build a large and imposing altar.
The rest of Israel heard that the people of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had built an altar at Geliloth at the edge of the land of Canaan, on the west side of the Jordan River.
So the whole community of Israel gathered at Shiloh and prepared to go to war against them.


Yes they had built an altar, and it very well seemed that it was a deviation from the instructions God gave.


However, we learn from their action, they first took a step of enquiring.


Joshua 22:13-16
First, however, they sent a delegation led by Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, to talk with the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
In this delegation were ten leaders of Israel, one from each of the ten tribes, and each the head of his family within the clans of Israel.
When they arrived in the land of Gilead, they said to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh,
“The whole community of the lord demands to know why you are betraying the God of Israel. How could you turn away from the Lord and build an altar for yourselves in rebellion against him?


I always say (I must have heard it from somewhere), that war is ended when both parties come to an agreement through discussions that led to an agreement. So the question is:


"why not do the discussion in the first place instead of the war?"


This is the mistake most of us do, we build up enemies because of what we heard, assume or what we see which may look wrong to us but it is a matter of wrong interpretation.


Communication is key!


Most times pride, ego, foolishness, laziness, fear, immaturity and even the enemy could make us underplay the importance of communication. We then are left with hatred and conflicts.


When the other tribes of Israel sent the delegates what reply did they receive?


Joshua 22:26-30
“So we decided to build the altar, not for burnt offerings or sacrifices,
but as a memorial. It will remind our descendants and your descendants that we, too, have the right to worship the lord at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices, and peace offerings. Then your descendants will not be able to say to ours, ‘You have no claim to the Lord.’
“If they say this, our descendants can reply, ‘Look at this copy of the Lord’s altar that our ancestors made. It is not for burnt offerings or sacrifices; it is a reminder of the relationship both of us have with the lord.’
Far be it from us to rebel against the lord or turn away from him by building our own altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings, or sacrifices. Only the altar of the lord our God that stands in front of the Tabernacle may be used for that purpose.”
When Phinehas the priest and the leaders of the community—the heads of the clans of Israel—heard this from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, they were satisfied.


Case closed, a simple dialogue could solve the whole issue (most of the time)


Listen, there are those rare moments when people resist peace, they scorn dialogue and even when someone mediate they are still adamant and want the conflict instead, that is a different issue.


Paul counselled in the book of Titus:


Titus 3:10-11
If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them.
For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them.


Jesus said:


Matthew 18:15-17
“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.
But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses.
If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

We must live at peace with one another as brethren, we must not give the enemy the chance, for the enemy is made powerful when we fight one another.


Be careful what you say!


Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.


Let us resolve matters, let us always remember that it is the Lord we serve and we dwell in His kingdom, let us live like true citizens of God's kingdom.


Colossians 3:12-15
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.


Help us Good Lord.


PRAYER
Dear Lord, You said that You bless those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. Help me live in peace with everyone, do not let those characters such as pride, selfishness, bitterness and it's like have any place in my life. May I be the true representative of Your kingdom here on earth. Glory to Your name Lord, for it is in You I live and move and have my being.


He calls us blessed.


Love
@the watcher.

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