Not so fast...
"When the priest Phinehas and the chiefs of the congregation, the heads of the families of Israel who were within, heard the words that the Reunites and the Gadgets and the Manassites spoke, they were satisfied."
(Joshua 22:30)
We humans "get our dander up" at a drop of a hat. We get upset easily. Take offense quickly. We hear something on the TV... or see a post on the internet... or read something in the paper... or hear a friend say something... and we're quick to jump to conclusions. SOMETIMES we go to www.snopes.com to verify if it's true... but only sometimes. We let our opinions (and righteous indignation) fly.
There's a great story in the book of Joshua about this very issue. When the Israelites "moved in" to the Promised Land, they had to fight their way into a space to live. But before that started, 3 of the 12 tribes liked the pasture lands outside of Canaan (aka Promised Land). They asked Mo if they could simply live THERE?!?! Mo gave his blessing... IF they agreed to help the other 9 tribes fight for their plots inside the Promised Land. When all had been settled, the 3 tribes went back across the Jordan River to live. Sometime later, word got to the other 9 tribes that "the three across the river" had set up an altar in their territory! The Hebrews were shocked! Outraged! Angered! There was only one altar, and it was where the Ark of the Covenant rested! In fact, they assembled for war to wipe out the blasphemers (even though they were kindred!).
But leading the battle march was the priest Phinehas, along with the chiefs and heads of the other 9 tribes. Before they slaughtered their countrymen, they asked "WHY!?!?" Why, on God's green earth, would you dare set up another altar to the LORD, when you KNOW that God instructed us not to?!?! God's wrath will pour down on all of us now, because of you!!!
Their answer stopped their brothers cold. The leaders of the 3 tribes across the Jordan said they're fine with their current arrangement with the other 9 tribes... but you have to admit, the Jordan River is a huge barrier. What if, down the road, generations from now, your children tell our children that they are no longer part of us... part of Israel?!? What if they forget the mutual agreement that we've made with each other? So... we built this altar to remind everyone that the LORD is #1! We're not going to use it for offerings or sacrifices... just as a monument to remember the LORD and our connection to Him at all times.
Wow. Awesome. The leaders left satisfied.
How often might a simple question and injury stem our misconceptions?