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Patriarchs and Prophets
tabernacle, as having no part in Israel. Then this altar, erected after the
pattern of the altar of the Lord at Shiloh, would be a witness that its
builders were also worshipers of the living God.
With great joy the ambassadors accepted this explanation, and
immediately carried back the tidings to those who sent them. All
thoughts of war were dismissed, and the people united in rejoicing,
and praise to God.
The children of Gad and Reuben now placed upon their altar an
inscription pointing out the purpose for which it was erected; and they
said, “It shall be a witness between us that Jehovah is God.” Thus they
endeavored to prevent future misapprehension and to remove what
might be a cause of temptation.
How often serious difficulties arise from a simple misunderstand-
ing, even among those who are actuated by the worthiest motives;
and without the exercise of courtesy and forbearance, what serious
and even fatal results may follow. The ten tribes remembered how,
in Achan’s case, God had rebuked the lack of vigilance to discover
the sins existing among them. Now they resolved to act promptly and
earnestly; but in seeking to shun their first error, they had gone to
the opposite extreme. Instead of making courteous inquiry to learn
the facts in the case, they had met their brethren with censure and
condemnation. Had the men of Gad and Reuben retorted in the same
spirit, war would have been the result. While it is important on the one
hand that laxness in dealing with sin be avoided, it is equally important
on the other to shun harsh judgment and groundless suspicion.
While very sensitive to the least blame in regard to their own
course, many are too severe in dealing with those whom they suppose
to be in error. No one was ever reclaimed from a wrong position
by censure and reproach; but many are thus driven further from the
right path and led to harden their hearts against conviction. A spirit of
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kindness, a courteous, forbearing deportment may save the erring and
hide a multitude of sins.
The wisdom displayed by the Reubenites and their companions
is worthy of imitation. While honestly seeking to promote the cause
of true religion, they were misjudged and severely censured; yet they
manifested no resentment. They listened with courtesy and patience to
the charges of their brethren before attempting to make their defense,
and then fully explained their motives and showed their innocence.