If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
The instruction is addressed to a person under authority at the moment the spirit of a ruler or superior rises in anger against him. To leave not his place is to remain steadfast in his position instead of deserting it and to refrain from answering back in anger. The required response is meek yielding and submission, including willing submission to a just reproof, and such yielding pacifies and stills even great and serious offenses. That yielding includes inward control that keeps an evil thought from passing into disrespectful speech, and by that restraint peace is preserved.
Yielding of this kind often prevents trials and conflict, particularly within families, within neighborhoods, and among fellow believers. When righteously exercised it brings peace, happiness, and prosperity, settling differences that legislation cannot settle. It calls for setting aside what one regards as one's own rights and taking pleasure in yielding to others whenever it can be done without sacrificing truth or compromising principle and justice. It never allows yielding the word of God in order to please a friend.
The instruction is addressed to a person under authority at the moment the spirit of a ruler or superior rises in anger against him. To leave not his place is to remain steadfast in his position instead of deserting it and to refrain from answering back in anger. The required response is meek yielding and submission, including willing submission to a just reproof, and such yielding pacifies and stills even great and serious offenses. That yielding includes inward control that keeps an evil thought from passing into disrespectful speech, and by that restraint peace is preserved.
Yielding of this kind often prevents trials and conflict, particularly within families, within neighborhoods, and among fellow believers. When righteously exercised it brings peace, happiness, and prosperity, settling differences that legislation cannot settle. It calls for setting aside what one regards as one's own rights and taking pleasure in yielding to others whenever it can be done without sacrificing truth or compromising principle and justice. It never allows yielding the word of God in order to please a friend.