"When they came to the region of the Jordan which is in the land of Canaan, the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an altar there by the Jordan, a large altar in appearance. And the sons of Israel heard it said, 'Behold, the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar at the frontier of the land of Canaan, in the region of the Jordan, on the side belonging to the sons of Israel.' When the sons of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the sons of Israel gathered themselves at Shiloh to go up against them in war." -Joshua 22.10-12
Israel has possession of the land and rest from war. The tribes from the east side of the Jordan have returned home, but on their way they built an altar. The other tribes, unsure of what the purpose is, but assuming it will be used in worship that God has not prescribed, go off to investigate. However, they go out dressed for war.
Israel has turned from God many times. They disobeyed Him and worshiped false gods. Every time they did His presence and protection was removed from the people. Having learned from the past, they are not about to sacrifice the land they have just won, and so they go to see what is going on. Here in this story we see how we should respond.
They go to investigate first. They aren't set on destroying anything or anyone. They go and ask question with a rational reason for their concern. When they find out that nothing has been done to violate God's commands or disobey Him in any way, they praise God and return home. However, they were ready to act if something was wrong. If the eastern tribes had fallen into pagan worship, they would fight to restore holiness to Israel.
When something causes us concern we need to investigate it rationally, not emotionally charge. We need to be ready to act in the event that something false is being spread, but we only act after we know what's going on. And it is crucial to note that this course of action took place among the tribes of Israel, not with a foreign nation that did not live by God's standards.
Men, what is your response, do you investigate or go in with guns blazing? Do you attack those outside of the faith, who don't believe the same things that you do? The response we have needs to be ask questions first, and then only attack if necessary. And this response is meant to those who claim to be part of the faith. We have the responsibility to help those within the faith live by God's standards and grow into Christlikeness, it is not our place to condemn those outside of the faith and embark on a crusade against them.
Let us be men who act rationally, but are prepared to fight for the truth. Let us investigate.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
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