A Man of Peace by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Dec 17, 1903

A Man of Peace

By W. A. S.

The plague was raging in the camp. Balaam's craftiness had accomplished what open opposition had failed to effect, and Israel was cursed. Then rose up Phinehas and thrust a spear through wickedness in their midst, and the plague was stayed.

It doubtless seemed to those who knew not the cause of the pestilence nor the nature of the plague that Phinehas was harsh and stern. Very likely it was the hardest task he had ever had set before him. It requires more moral courage and grace to stand against the course of one's friends than to stand with them. But that spear-thrust was the kindest deed done in Israel that day, when thousands were writhing in their death-agony. And God then and there set his seal upon Phinehas as a man of peace.

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous with my zeal [margin] among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace . . . even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God. Num. 25: 10-13.

Repeatedly that spear-thrust through wickedness is referred to in after scriptures. The psalmist says:—

Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed. And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations forevermore. Ps. 106: 30, 31.

Malachi was given these words for the guidance of the priests:—

Ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the Lord of hosts. My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. The law of truth was in his mouth, . . . he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. Mal 2: 4-6.

The principles of peace are not abstract propositions to be admired while evil principles are left to war against the truth. When the crisis comes, and evil is thrust through and held up to the light, there are ever many who do not understand, who are ready to raise the cry, Peace, peace, when there is no peace, save in standing against wickedness. We in this latter-day camp of Israel need this lesson. More dangerous even than the act of spreading the germs of an awful plague are the suggestions that would persuade the people that there is no danger

that the germs are harmless and even kindly; that the one who raises the warning cry is overwrought, or has some personal animus to serve.

It is to be a battle and a march until we reach the heavenly land. The enemy would delight to take the field as leading a peaceful campaign, while representing the efforts to withstand evil as being born of a disposition to break the peace. His greatest move in the rebellion in heaven was when he persuaded the host of angels under his power that he was for peace, and that efforts to unmask the deception were but persecution. We are wrestling not against flesh and blood, but against the very powers of darkness. The one weapon that suffices is the sword of the Spirit. It may be wielded in the name of peace, for the Prince of Peace is the leader of the hosts of God on earth. W. A. S.