DECODING PREJUDICE

Joshua 22:24 “The truth is, we have built this altar because we fear that in the future your descendants will say to ours, ‘What right do you have to worship the Lord, the God of Israel?

Prejudice means an adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge of the facts or any preconceived opinion or feeling, whether positive or negative. Prejudice normally rises out of rumours or speculations. Some say there is an iota of fact in every rumour and there is no smoke without fire. In today's text the people of Israel nearly fell into the error prejudice when they heard their relatives beyond the Jordan, the tribe of Reuben and Gad had erected a great altar of worship. They were ready to go to war against their relatives because their actions displeased the Lord.

Joshua 22:12 And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered together at Shiloh to go to war against them. But in Joshua 22:13 -20, they took the wise decision of sending a delegation to enquire from the people of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh about the ongoing speculations. Their findings were different from the fact in rumour even though an altar had been erected. It was a memorial altar built to ensure the next generation does not forget they are part of Israel and to avoid future conflicts between them and their other relatives across the Jordan. Read Joshua 22: 20-34.

Joshua 22:28 Therefore we said that it will be, when they say this to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say, `Here is the replica of the altar of the Lord which our fathers made, though not for burnt offerings nor sacrifices; but it is a witness between you and us. What averts prejudice is enquiring and accountability. The one who hears the rumour should make a thorough investigation and the one who is being rumoured about should be willing to give vivid explanations. The explanations of the Israelites beyond the Jordan cancelled out the information heard leading to peaceful coexistence.  Enquire before you act and be willing to give explanations to issues in doing that prejudice is solved and we create a healthy and conducive environment for peaceful coexistence.

Prayer: Holy Spirit give me wisdom at all times in dealing with people and situations. Help me to stay truthful at all times to save my generation from conflicts in Jesus' name.  Amen.

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