Passage Read: Joshua 22 - Judges 1
Meditation Verses: Joshua 22:21-23
Thought
The Israelites send Phinehas and ten tribal representatives to find out what is going on with Reuben, Gad and the other half of Manasseh. Why did they build the giant altar? They come right out and accuse the two and a half tribes of abandoning the Lord, which will get everyone in trouble with God! But the three tribes respond with such humility and devotion that completely diffuses and disarms the situation. It's a perfect example of humility and trust. They aren't offended by the wrong assumptions and accusations leveled against them, but agree that if they have done what they've been accuse of that they truly should be destroyed! But then they explain their real purpose in building the copy of the Lord's altar, and the reply is so earnest and honest that the other tribes accept their word.
Application
Humility is key to this whole exchange. When I'm wrongly accused of wrong behavior, I need this kind of humility, both to agree with the wrongness of the thing I'm accused of, but also to explain that my purposes were not what was assumed, without attacking the one who accuses me. To just reject the accusation and attack the one who accuses me, that brings no peace or restoration, but only increases the divide. To just agree with the accusation but give no further explanation leaves my accuser with a wrong understanding of me, and continues the divide. But to agree that the thing I'm accused of is wrong and deserves the punishment suggested puts us both on the same page, as allies rather than adversaries, and opens the door to me explaining my honest purposes and being believed. My flesh naturally wants to fight unjust accusations and rebuke my accusers for their ungracious assumptions, but that doesn't bring peace and restoration. And while not defending myself in any way may keep peace, nether does it bring understanding and unity. My accuser is left thinking they were right about me doing wrong and I'm left knowing they think the worst of me.