Announcement: Celebration, Not War

Journal 2005 10 17
Announcement: Celebration, Not War

“We halted above the point on the (Columbia) river … to Smoke with the Indians who had collected there in great numbers to view us, here we met our 2 Chiefs who left us two days ago and proceeded on to this place to inform those bands of our approach and friendly intentions towards all nations”

How often does someone go ahead of you and announce to those you don’t know of your “friendly intentions towards all?” In current day America we are basically independent and probably wouldn’t trust what most people would say about us anyway. So we show up unannounced and count on our own wits to “win friends and influence people.” Wouldn’t it be better to have an advance team that preceded your arrival and conveyed your friendly intentions?

We don’t really ever hear what the 2 Chiefs said to the Indians gathered above the point where the Snake River flows into the Columbia River near today’s Sacagawea State Park. But it must have been good because Captain Clark records that as his men were gathered around their evening fires cooking when “a Chief came from their Camp which was about ¼ of a mile up the Columbia river at the head of about 200 men Singing and beeting on their drums Stick and keeping time to the musik, they formed a half circle around us and Sung for Some time, we gave them all Smoke, and Spoke to their Chiefs as well as we could by Signs informing them of our friendly disposition to all nations, and our joy in Seeing those of our Children around us,…”

Once again, open armed hospitality was extended to the men of the Corps of Discovery. Imagine if these two hundred men who accompanied the Chief made war rather than music! My memory and imagination run back to the day of August 13th when Meriwether Lewis was attempting to show his peaceful intentions to a Shoshone while his two men with him appeared to be stalking the Indian brave. Lewis, in restrained anger, quickly gave his men a lesson in diplomacy. Based on the continued friendly receptions this band of travelers receives the lesson must have been learned!

Soldiers, explorers, scientists, emissaries and ambassadors are titles that can be ascribed to the Corps of Discovery. Emissary and ambassador are the subject of today’s musing. Minster and envoy are titles that may also describe these young men. While not on permanent station like an ambassador they are sent to represent President Jefferson and the United States of America. Although an emissary is usually associated with clandestine activities the word is descriptive of one emanating from another source to accomplish a specific intelligence gathering mission. An envoy accurately describes the work of the Corps of Discovery in their directive to deliver a specific message to the people they encounter on their journey.

Two hundred years ago today on the little changed basaltic plateau of Eastern Washington our young forefathers received a reception fit for any ambassador posted to a friendly nation. Suspicion and fear of their military might was set aside because of the announcement that preceded their arrival.

Pastor Norm spoke months ago regarding how God announced that which He was about to bring forth. He announced to Mary that she would be “overshadowed” by the Spirit of God and give birth to the Savior. He then announced to shepherds in the fields by angelic choirs that the baby had been born. He will announce by trumpet the return of that same Son.

He announces His intentions so we will be prepared to properly receive the object announced. The Yakima Indians and neighboring tribes heard an announcement regarding peaceful visitors and prepared to receive them. Their friendly reception is recorded on elkskin for us to learn from two centuries later.

What has God announced to you and your church? Are you prepared to receive it in a manner that reflects the hospitality you would extend to a foreign ambassador? Are you prepared to celebrate those you are about to receive? The Yakima’s were. May we be as willing to meet those announced to us with great honor and celebration worthy of the Kingdom of God.