Resolve Conflict By Seeking to Understand
Emotions are powerful. In an instant, our feelings are capable of clouding sound judgment: causing us to think, believe, and act irrationally. In times of intense conflict, we are tempted to believe the person on the other side is the enemy; they are not. This was illustrated in a situation that occurred within the Israelite nation in the book of Joshua.
The Israelites had been engaged in an intense battle with several nations and in Joshua chapter 22 we see that the Lord had given them rest. It was during this time that Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh and sent them back to their promised land on the other side of the Jordan River. On the way, they decided to make an imposing altar which enraged the whole assembly of Israel. Immediately, without any communication, the rest of the Israelite tribe was ready to battle with the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh.
Although their righteous indignation was commendable, in this particular situation, they needed more information before forming a conclusion about the actions of the tribes east of the Jordan River. Thankfully the assembly of Israel sent Phineas and ten chief men ahead of the Israelite clans.
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