Urge to jump

If you hear someone… saying, “Corrupt men have gone out from among you and enticed the inhabitants,”… then you shall inquire, search out, and ask diligently. — Deut. 13:12-14

In April 2006, a stuntman tried to jump from the top of the Empire State Building. At the last minute, authorities restrained him and charged him with reckless endangerment. After a judge had looked carefully at all the facts, he dismissed the charges, noting that the accused had taken steps to ensure the safety of others. With a parachute strapped to his back, Jeb Corliss had safely made 3,000 previous jumps, including leaps from the 1,483-foot Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur and the Eiffel Tower.

As extreme as Corliss’ sport is, it is safer than the kind of leap that almost took place in Joshua 22. Israel had just engaged in a 7-year conquest of Canaan. Suddenly, an alarming rumor raised the possibility of civil war. Word spread that the families who settled east of the Jordan River had built an idolatrous altar (v.10).

A national catastrophe was averted that day, only because someone took time to investigate the facts and listen to both sides of the issue (vv.16-29). A terrible, costly misunderstanding was avoided. The wisdom of God was honored (v.31). Our loving Lord taught His people that the cost of listening is not nearly as great as the cost of jumping to wrong conclusions. — Mart De Haan

Lest judgment should be based on wrong conclusion,

Distinguish right from vain and carnal pleading;

The world is rife with error and confusion;

Rely alone on God the Spirit’s leading.— Mollon

READ: Josh. 22:10-16, 21-29

Jumping to wrong conclusions is one of the greatest of all dangers.

The Bible in one year:

• Number 19-21

• Proverbs 22:17-29