HARDBALL
Third of six devotions in Proud Insolence series
Numbers 16:36-38: “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Tell Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, to take the censers out of the smoldering remains and scatter the coals some distance away, for the censers are holy—the censors of the men who sinned at the cost of their lives. Hammer the censers into sheets to overlay the altar, for they were presented before the LORD and have become holy. Let them be a sign to the Israelites.’”
In the 1980’s, the Morton Downey, Jr Show was a popular—yet controversial—talk show that encouraged heated debates among the show’s guests. Guests were chosen and invited to appear on the show for their strange beliefs. Arguments were bitter. Guests were called names. Threats hurled toward people cut like razors.
That’s hardball!
Working with a broad range of people, we often picked on one or another for something like a favorite sports team. I admit missing this “workplace banter”. We meant no harm. It was all in good fun. Workplace banter adds spice to an otherwise uneventful eight-hour workday.
Surprisingly, by criticizing and questioning, we often uncovered truth.
Fighting fair points out things what we don’t like without attacking the person. People—regardless of our opinion of them—are still made in God’s image! Disagreements encourage constructive questions. The goal is to uncover a truth that’s agreed on by all.
Fighting unfairly is destructive. Arguments put others down need to be avoided. People can disagree without viciously attacking others personally.
Arguments that produce positive, productive end results are useful for growth. The goal of arguing is not to find agreement, but to toss hardballs of criticism and questions that dislodge right from all wrong notions.
That’s what uncovering truth is all about!
When Korah and his followers attacked Moses and Aaron, they began an unfair fight. Korah, nor any member of the council was descended from the priestly tribe of Aaron. That dislodged truth caused people to burn and be buried alive. See the lesson linked below for more unnecessary deaths.
Numbers 16:39-40: “So Eleazar the priest collected the bronze censers brought by those who had been burned up, and he had them hammered out to overlay the altar, as the LORD directed him through Moses. This was to remind the Israelites that no one except a descendant of Aaron should come to burn incense before the LORD, or he would be like Korah and his followers.”
Take Home Nugget
The next time you find yourself about to argue with another, ask yourself if the argument is for the right reason.
Heavenly Father, Never allow me to argue unfairly. Always lead me through Your Spirit to uncover Your truth, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Adapted from “Arguments for Heaven’s Sake“ by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein. www.HolyLandMoments.com. June 21, 2017.
J.D. Griffith
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