Ecclesiastes 10:4 - Calming the Ruler

Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the ruler’s temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.

Message: Calming the Ruler

Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: This passage is addressing a subject that I have recently been looking at via Jerry Bridges book, "Respectable Sins." In the book, Bridges talks about sins that we often don't call out as sins because we are often too focused on the sins that society is currently in the midst of redefining as acceptable behavior or the sins that society still agrees with the Bible of being unacceptable. Thus, we grade sin and place some sins at a higher level than others. It is a big danger because in the process we tend to live lives in which we don't think we are doing much wrong and we aren't in need daily of growth and renewal by the power of the Gospel. Starting in chapter 8 he is now addressing the sins mentioning ungodliness, anxiety, worry, and discontent.

The idea of discontent is a sin that to be honest I never called out as sin. I know Paul admonishes us to be content in every situation but I never thought the reverse was a sin. It makes sense though because God's sovereignty extends to situations in our lives that we call challenging. And perhaps God wants to do something in our lives through a difficult situation.

In this verse, Ecclesiastes 10:4, it mirrors this idea of not being content, If the ruler’s temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.What a great bit of encouragement to even see this text in the Bible.The idea being that the way we respond to a temper from a boss or ruler is not fleeing, but rather staying put. We need to stay committed to our position and allow our commitment to be a healing to the offenses of our boss. In time the bosses wrath will subside The answer is to remain calm, not bolt for the exit. 

Let's be clear, though, this doesn't work in every situation. We must ask if evil is being committed here by a leader. But, it is okay for my feelings to be hurt. I can be reviled, as Jesus was, and yet continue to trust in the Lord through the process.

Promise: Trust Christ to help us respond appropriately to all people.

Prayer: Lord, help me to weather the storm of unwelcome words and attitudes from those that are over me. I admit God that too often I too quick to take tough words and seek relief through telling others about it. Forgive me for this and using those situations to continue to make it out that I'm the better person. Help me Lord to simply trust in you and continue to walk with you and seek my refuge in you instead of other people.