“A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives.”
“On a hot, seemingly ordinary night last summer, a man and a woman each walked into a convenience store in Northern Virginia. Minutes later, the man would punch the woman once, killing her after he claims she used a racial slur against him during their brief encounter inside the store.” (NBC 4 Washington) The man who punched this women was not a king but as I read this story it broke my heart to see how a flash of anger cost a mother her life and a father 10 years in prison. Solomon refers to someone who ether intentionally or unthinkingly causes someone in authority to get angry with them. People have lost jobs, political positions and, as we read in this article, even their lives because of foolish actions or words. What is unmentioned in the verse but certainly understood is that many others suffer potentially long term consequences because of our behavior. The women killed was a single mom and her child ended up in foster care. And obviously going to prison for 10 years took this husband and father out of his family for a critical period of their lives. God calls us to be people of self control and kindness. Very few people have suffered for practicing those character traits. This image was intended to send a shudder through Solomon’s listeners. It should have that level of caution in us as well. Today practice restraint in every situation. #BeTheEdge
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 NIV
