Growing up, I used to hear my parents tell my sisters and me often, “Watch your witness!” I kept wondering what body part was called a witness because it must be often in danger of being bumped, bruised, jolted or jostled given the intensity in their voices.
Later, I learned that they were instructing us to watch how we were acting. They wanted us to show observing bystanders that we were Christian kids that knew better than to entangle ourselves with the temptations of the world.
The book of Joshua finds the Israelites in the Promised Land. Before Moses died, the children of Reuben, the children of Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh had asked if God would allow them to settle in the land on this side of the Jordan. After they crossed over and helped drive out the Canaanites, they returned here and built their homesteads. They also built something else – an altar.
News of the altar traveled across the Jordan and the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered together to make war against them. (Joshua 22:12) They were so sure that they had adopted the pagan customs and gods of the people in the lands surrounding them on that side of the river.
It was determined that Phinehas, the priest, would be the spokesman! After a long speech where he expressed deep disappointment and dismay that they’d turned their backs on God, I’m sure the children of Reuben could hardly contain themselves as they responded with something to the modern day effects of, “You’ve got it all wrong!” Turns out, the altar they built was not to show that they’d abandoned the Lord, but to show that they would follow Him alone!”
Even though the Jordan created a border between them, these children of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh wanted it to be known now and to future generations that they were unified with the rest of Israel in following the one, true God.
Once the air was cleared, and the congregation of Israel stood at ease, the Israelites returned, satisfied, to their side of the Jordan. And the altar? It was named, “Witness.”
I think my parents were right to tell us to, “Watch our witness.” I think I need to follow that advice even more so today. If someone looked over at me and how I act and live, would they wonder if I’d adopted the habits of the culture around me? Are there things that would give the wrong impression about my declaration of faith in God? What witness have I set up with my life?
Something to think about on a windy, sunny spring afternoon in quarantine.
Kathy