Reconciliation

The following story is a story that was sent through the Internet system. I have no idea who wrote the story or when it was written. It may have been making the circle around the Internet system for years or only a few days. It is a story about reconciliation between two people who have lived an argument. The story is touching and makes the point in a beautiful way. Read the story and enjoy it, and then keep reading a few thoughts of my own that serves as another real example of the need for reconciliation that is presented in this story written by an unknown author.

“BEAUTIFUL STORY OF RECONCILIATION

Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side-by-side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed, without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart.


It began with a small misunderstanding, and it grew into a major


difference, and finally, it exploded into an exchange of bitter


words, followed by weeks of silence.


One morning, there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days' work," he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?"


Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor. In fact, it's my younger brother!


Last week, there was a meadow between us. He recently took his bulldozer to the river levee, and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence. An 8-foot fence -so I won't need to see his place, or his face, anymore."


The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails, and the post-hole digger, and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."


The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day -- measuring, sawing, and nailing. About sunset, when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.


The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge... a bridge that stretched from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, with handrails, and all!


And, the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched... "You are quite a fellow to build this bridge; after all I've said and done."


The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.


I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, but I have many more bridges to build.” (Author unknown)





Need for Reconciliation


If arguments continue and brothers do not build bridges the consequences are world changing.


In today’s world the ancestors of Abraham are both the Israelis and the Palestinians. From Abraham came Isaac and Ishmael; Isaac through Sarah and Ishmael through Hagar. From these two sons came animosity and hatred, bloodshed and violence. The generations living today continue to fight each other and keep conflict alive with the Palestinians vowing to eradicate the Israelis from the face of the earth and the Israelis through force trying to prevent that from happening.


Even while living Isaac and Ishmael opposed each other. Isaac being the son of promise from Sarah and Ishmael being the product of Sarah’s and Abraham’s impatience, Ishmael was scorned and driven from the family of Abraham. Because of the strife the family was separated and began fighting with itself.


Through the centuries the ancestry has fought countless battles that has resulted in tens of thousands or more killed and injured. Peace has not been possible for hundreds, even thousands of years. The sons of Abraham have been enemies all that time. There was one time, however, that Isaac and Ishmael did build a bridge to join each other to come together as brothers.




We are given that account in Genesis 25:


“Abraham lived a total of 175 years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man who had lived a full life. He joined his ancestors. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar, the Hethite.” (Genesis 25:7-9)


Isaac and Ishmael had been enemies even during the time Abraham was alive; but when Abraham died these two brothers who had fought for so many years laid down their weapons to join together in peace to bury their father. The original heads of two nations, Israelis and Palestinians, joined as one to accomplish a peaceful task. The common bond was their father who had given them life and name and identity. Their respect for him allowed them to forget their differences for a season to join a common cause and carry out a task of unification centered in their father.


As the 21st century world watches the Middle East conflict between this ancient family, God is watching as well. As Kings, Presidents and Prime Ministers have tried to negotiate peace between this fighting family, bringing brother back to brother, as Isaac and Ishmael once did, the watching world knows that it is unlikely. The only way this will happen is the way God has intended in the first place.


The Carpenter who builds bridges has already come. He has built that bridge and millions have accepted that reconciliation and have discovered the saving grace and peace the Carpenter offers. One day when God says it is time the Carpenter will appear in clouds and establish a peace between a fighting family, and I wonder if somewhere in the background men will see a scene of Abraham standing with Isaac and Ishmael shaking hands or perhaps embracing with tears streaming down their faces.

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