Old Timers might remember Rodney King saying “Why can’t we all just get along?” He was reacting to the rioting that developed after the police beating at the time of his arrest. The Bible provides several answers to that question. First, fear — particularly fear of those who are “other.” The Egyptians dreaded the children of Israel. You can’t get along with someone who you fear. Second, selfishness. They had to build for Pharaoh
the supply cities. Pharaoh wanted something and so he took the labor of the Hebrew children so he could get what he wanted. The third reason the Bible readings give for our inability to get along is somewhat surprising. Jesus says that conflict happens when a believer stands up for the truth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. Just going along with the prevailing opinion to avoid conflict is not what the gospel demands. We must insist on the truth that everyone is a child of God and deserves to be treated as such.
