The Distance Between Two Perspectives
Judges 20:29-38
Synopsis Judges 20:29-38 7/25/2018
On the third day of the assault, the Israelite army set an ambush. The Benjaminites, who were defending Gibeah, came out as in the two previous days. So, the Israelite army feigned a route. And, the Benjaminites pursued them into the open field.
As the Benjaminites chased the main Israelite army, the Israelites released the ambush. They invaded the city and set it on fire. Outmaneuvered, the Benjaminites recognized the danger. And they fled in disarray. The Israelites slaughtered the Benjamite swordsmen.
The Distance Between Two Perspectives
The Israelites were thinking, “We’ll flee to lure the Benjaminites out to a slaughter.” The Benjaminites were thinking, “They are fleeing before us.”
It’s remarkable that two people, or two groups of people, can see things so differently. Both can be fully engaged participants in an event and still interpret the very same circumstances in entirely different ways.
Reconciling Everyone’s “Truth”
Truth is the adequate description of reality. According to the scriptures, I establish truth through two or three witnesses. The witnesses have to be unique. And I have to scrutinize the testimony.
It’s a simple formula. And yet, we are all sometimes fooled.
So, beware the rush to judgement. Embrace the truth.
“…so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.” Matt 18:16
