Proverbs 17:14-15 

¹⁴Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. ¹⁵Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—the Lord detests them both.

Fishing Pole

         Husbands: Have you ever won any argument with your wife? A fisherman revealed how he handles argument when his wife is angry. He said, “If my wife is angry, I go and buy fishing pole for myself! My wife will still be angry when I get home but at least, I’ve got myself a fishing pole.”

         Many relationships were broken because of anger. Anger could be an outward manifestation of sin controlling the angry person. Together, let us reflect on Genesis 4:3-7,³Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. ⁴And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, ⁵but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. ⁶Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? ⁷If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

         The Lord rejects anything that is not right to him. Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as offering to the Lord. It did not mention if the fruits were from his plant. Scholars suggest that Cain just picked fruits from trees but not fruits from his plants. His offering was not proper. It’s half-hearted.

         It particularly say, “Abel brought offering of fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.” Fat portion from the firstborn implies best of the bests. The Lord favored Abel for his best of the bests offering while Cain offered mediocrity. Offering the best to the Lord shows strong faith in him.

         The Lord implied that because of sin, Cain was angry. When Cain did not offer what’s right, he sinned. Mediocre and half-hearted offering is sin. The anger of Cain exploded into first murder in the history of mankind.

         Seriously, do you think that anger is outward manifestation of sin? Is it possible that we can be angry but not commit any sin? How should we explain Ephesians 4:26-27? ²⁶In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷and do not give the devil a foothold.

         What supposed to be communicated could be interpreted differently. If they are not ready to change, they won’t appreciate rebuke. Maybe, they are offended when they misinterpret a matter. Misunderstanding can spark anger. So before you explode in anger, it’s wise to drop the matter.

1.  Drop

     ¹⁴Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

         Before dams break out, it starts with little leak. When dams break out, it may cause flooding. Flood can damage anything on its path. So before a dam breaks out, those little leaks should be stopped or patched or repaired.

         Similarly, quarrel can break relationship. To drop the matter could be initial repair of possible damage of relationship caused by quarrel. We want to avoid quarrel but offenders may not desire to stop. Or if offenders start a quarrel, what can we do to drop a conflict? What are we supposed to do?

King David

         Let’s learn from King David in 2 Samuel 16:7-12,  ⁷As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! ⁸The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!” ⁹Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”

            ¹⁰But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’” ¹¹David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. ¹²It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”

         Absalom son of David tried to grab the kingship. While David and his loyal soldiers escaped, Shimei came and cursed David. Spiritual maturity of King David, and his trust in the Lord were exposed during difficult situations. His faith in the Lord was not shaken. Indeed, the Lord blessed King David and restored the kingdom to him. Later, Shimei was punished eventually.

         Most often, when we are offended, we desire immediate vindication. By faith in Christ, we should wait for the Lord to accomplish his purposes.

         Let’s meditatively reflect on what it advises us in Romans 12:19.

         ¹⁹Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

         Avoiding quarrel is wise, and we trust that will God avenge and repay.

If they feel entitled, they fight for their right. They want to retaliate. If they’re provoked to do otherwise, that can be a moment to expose if we still depend on the Lord’s vindication or not yet. Why? The Lord detests unfairness.

2.  Detest

      ¹⁵Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—the Lord detests them both.

         Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent are detestable and unpleasant to the Lord. Innocent individuals were condemned because of prejudice and wickedness of authorities. And powerful individuals have been acquitted of their crime because of political connections.

         After Israel was divided into southern and northern kingdom, the first king of the northern kingdom, Jeroboam built an altar at Bethel to keep his people from worshipping God in Jerusalem. And God sent his messenger.

         Together, let’s reflect when the messenger of God prophesied against the altar at Bethel. It says in 1 Kings 13:3-5, ³“This is the sign the Lord has declared: The altar will be split apart and the ashes on it will be poured out.” ⁴When King Jeroboam heard what the man of God cried out against the altar at Bethel, he stretched out his hand from the altar and said, “Seize him!” But the hand he stretched out toward the man shriveled up, so that he could not pull it back. ⁵Also, the altar was split apart and its ashes poured out according to the sign given by the man of God by the word of the Lord.

          King Jeroboam was offended when the man of God cried out against the altar he built. Does God still send his messengers to rebuke delinquent authorities among us? Authorities can be catalyst to advance the kingdom of God or instrumental to advance their personal agenda. We pray that God gives wisdom to all authorities we elected in the church and in our nation.

         It advises in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, ¹I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

         May leaders be catalysts for the advancement of the kingdom of God on earth. We should be prayerful that the Lord may grant wisdom to church leaders and government authorities. Christ may return sooner or later. Who knows? But until Christ returns, we should watch for divine appointments and be more active messengers of the good news of salvation in him.

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