Go to the Source

Remember the old game, I think it was called telephone, or something like that.  It's the game where you whisper something in someone's ear, then they whisper the same thing to the next person, and so on.  The last person in the line has to say out loud what was whispered in their ear.  Usually, it's not even close to what was originally said.

Have you ever received some news that made you mad or really hurt you?  Maybe someone told you something that someone else said and it got you fired up?  The Israelites had this happen to them.

God had brought peace to the Israelites and they were ready to settle into their new land.  The tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh were sent home, which was on the other side of the Jordan.  Right before they crossed the river, they built a large altar. When the news reached the rest of the tribes, they were ready to go to war.  But they did something else first.  They went to the source.  

The Israelites were ready to go to war because they thought these tribes had built the altar to rebel against God.  But before beginning this all-out war, Phinehas, the priest, led a delegation to learn the truth.  These men went to the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half-tribe of Manasseh and asked why they had built they altar.  These tribes were quick to assure Phinehas that it was not in rebellion, but for a memorial.  Phinehas went to the source and war was averted.   

Satan is a liar and he wants to cause division.  He tries to twist words and cause hurt feelings.  If Phinehas had not gone to the source first, the Israelites would have gone to war against their brothers.  If we don't go to the source, we could lose a friend, divide brother/sister against brother/sister or even divide a church.   If you have been hurt by something said or may have said, don't hold a grudge, and don't let the wound fester into something so much more.  Go to the source.