Motive Inspection

“When they came to Geliloth in Canaan, the Reubenites, Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan… The whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them.

“So the Israelites sent Phinehas… [and] ten of the chief men, one from each of the tribes of Israel… to Gilead—to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh— They said to them..: ‘How could you break faith… like this? How could you turn away from the Lord and build yourselves an altar in rebellion against him?..  Are you now turning away from [him]?

“‘Do not rebel against the Lord or against us by building an altar for yourselves, other than the altar of the Lord our God…’ 

“Then Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh replied to the heads of the clans of Israel: ‘The Mighty One, God, the Lord! The Mighty One, God, the Lord! He knows! And let Israel know! If this has been in rebellion or disobedience to the Lord, do not spare us this day… 

“’We said, “Let us get ready and build an altar… to be a witness between us and you and the generations that follow, that we will worship the Lord at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and fellowship offerings. Then in the future your descendants will not be able to say to ours, ‘You have no share in the Lord…‘”

“’Far be it from us to rebel against the Lord and turn away from him today by building an altar… other than the altar of the Lord our God that stands before his tabernacle.’” Joshua 22:10,12-16,19b,21-22,26-27,29

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged… Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:1-3

The two and a half tribes had wanted their own way from the start, settling in land east of the Jordan. Though they’d fulfilled their pledge to help the rest of Israel take the promised land, their newly erected altar raised suspicion like its own imposing presence. Phineas set aside spontaneous conclusions to investigate and listen. (Numbers 32:1-7,16-23; Deuteronomy 3:18-20; Joshua 22:1-6)

When we consider ourselves more important than we are, think the worst of others, let zeal swell to unmanageable proportion, or bear grudges, we can react impulsively or wrongly to seemingly errant behavior. We cannot discern another’s motives, so as Jesus commands, we must not judge them. Maintaining a sober mindset keeps our responses reasonable and righteous. (Romans 12:3; Hebrews 12:5)

Where am I carrying a swagger of superiority, or jaded opinions due to past unforgiven hurts? Do I let a negative outlook or flagrant emotion dictate reactions? How quickly do I jump to conclusions without observing, inquiring, assessing?

Where do I need to pause and probe, first myself for my quick judgments, then with my sister or brother in Christ? How can I maintain a level head and so promote reasonable cooperation and peace in uncertain and potentially fiery situations? In my own opinions and actions, am I serving my emotions, my rights, my ego, or my Lord? (Joshua 24:14-15)

Lord, steep my mind and reasoning in Your truth, temper my emotions, and fill me with generous love and grace, so I treat others as You would, in Your honor.