Joseph, on sending his brothers away that they might bring their father Jacob to Egypt, gives them
a final word of exhortation:"Do not quarrel on the way" (Gen. 45:24 JND). Brethren_and sisters
too_how we need this caution! We need to exercise a spirit of forbearance one with another,
otherwise we will never get on together. See how even such eminent servants of Christ as
Barnabas and Paul quarreled on the way.
The contention was so sharp between them that they separated from one another (Acts 15:39).
How sad, and how humiliating! May the Lord keep us! The hateful flesh is in us, ever ready to
assert itself on the slightest easing of the restraint placed upon it by the Spirit.
A traveler once saw two mountain goats meet on a narrow ledge of rock high up on the
perpendicular face of the mountainside. There they stood face to face in the pathway just wide
enough for one. He watched them eagerly through his glass; and knowing the great combativeness
of the goat, he fully expected to see one of them hurled to its death into the depths below. But,
to his utter surprise, he saw one of the goats quietly lay itself down while the other stepped over
it. And then each went on its sensible way.
Even the beasts may teach us, children of God_and shame us sometimes too. If, when difficulty
arises, or matters come to a deadlock among us, we could give way_lie down, as it were_ and
be walked over, there would be fewer quarrels in our midst. "Let people walk over me? Never!"
you say. Then you are not very much like your Master. And you little heed His precepts. He who
was ever "meek and lowly in heart" exhorted to non-resistance constantly. It is the only way in
which quarreling on the way can be avoided. The world is watching us like the tourist watched
the goats. And how many of them enjoy seeing the saints of God at loggerheads! How delighted
they are to see "how these Christians love (!) one another." May the Lord help us to be at peace
among ourselves (1 Thess. 5:13). Brethren, "do not quarrel on the way."
(From A Fruitful Bough.)