When Understanding Becomes a Witness

Have you ever been in a position where you did the right thing, but the people around you were upset? Often, they are not upset because of what you did, but because they do not know why you did it. Oh boy, we all can relate to this one way or another, right? In life, I often tend to see things from my own perspective and fail to view them from the other side. Although I have been on both sides of this, more often than not, I was at fault for looking at things short-sightedly. Like we often say, there are two sides to a coin.

I have been reading through the book of Joshua and reflecting on how the land was finally divided among the children of Israel. It is after this division that an unexpected situation unfolds. The two and a half tribes who were settled on the other side of the Jordan were given permission to return to their inheritance. But as they crossed the Jordan, they did something that immediately raised tensions.

This was the same group that had promised Moses they would not selfishly occupy their inheritance, but would first help their fellow brethren secure theirs. And they did exactly that. Yet after crossing back, they built an altar to the Lord — even though the tabernacle, built by all twelve tribes, stood at Shiloh. At first glance, doesn’t this seem strange?

Here is where the tension escalates. When the other nine and a half tribes heard about this, they were deeply troubled and prepared themselves for war. Before acting, however, they sent Eleazar the priest along with ten leaders to confront them. As soon as they arrived, they did not ask why the altar had been built. Instead, they immediately concluded that this was an act of treachery and unfaithfulness against God. They referred to the iniquity of Peor and the plague that followed, warning that this act would not only harm those tribes, but the entire congregation of Israel. They also brought up the sin of Achan. In fact, they even offered their own inheritance. Their intention was not harmful, but their conclusions were formed too quickly.

Let’s pause there for a moment. This feels very similar to how I would have reacted in the past. Rather than responding by asking the right questions, I have often reacted instead, quickly concluding that something was wrong and imposing my own thoughts and perception on to the next person. Does this feel familiar to you as well? Is this something you have experienced or even done yourself?

Now let’s look at the response. After hearing the accusations, the people explained that this was not an act of rebellion or treachery. Rather, it was done out of fear that future generations might exclude them. The altar was meant to be a witness — a reminder that all the tribes were one, united under the Lord, and worshiping Him together.

Interestingly, there is a surprising clarity in how they respond. Infact right after this, there is something the people say which you don't hear quite often. What was moments away from becoming a full-fledged war crumbled into a moment of understanding. In fact, the leaders respond by saying, “This day we perceive that the LORD is among us.” That moment stopped not only a war, but a lifelong enmity between brethren. It prevented a fracture among families, a redirection in Israel’s destiny, and most importantly, led to the realization that the Lord was among them.

What looked like rebellion was actually fear of being forgotten. When that was clarified, war gave way to witness, and fear to faith. That was the moment they perceived that the Lord was among them. I often find myself in that same space — between reacting and taking time to understand, but as I started to slow down to understand, that understanding itself became a testimony in my life.

I would encourage you as you read this, the next time, when you face a situation, to slow down because Bible says the one "who is slow to anger has great understanding" and let that understanding be a testimony to reveal the Lord through you to others.