Shouting

"The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools" (Ecclesiastes 9:17).

You've known that person. He is the one who always sits quietly in Bible Study, listening and taking it all in. When she talks, everyone stops to listen more than they listen to E. F. Hutton. There is a wisdom, gained through years of careful listening and thinking, that you know you must hear. Most of us have had that person in our family, in our church, in our lives. The one who never says much, but who always says what is wise.

We've also known the other person, the one who never stops talking, who speaks without thinking, who acts without reasoning it through. He may have people following him and she may even be popular, but that doesn't make what they say or do instantly wise. In fact, the Teacher calls such a person "a ruler of fools." To quote Obi-Wan Kenobi, "Who's the more foolish: the fool or the fool who follows him?"

Of course, the question that lingers in my mind as I read this verse from the Teacher centers around the world of politics. Who are we listening to? There's a lot of noise, and there's a lot of shouting. But who are we listening to? Where its he wise person whose quiet words can make a real difference? Would we even heed such a voice if they were to speak?

Or consider the latest round of discussion about immigration, refugees and terrorism. Where are the wise? There is a lot of talking, and a lot of social media shouting, but very little wisdom appearing on the scene. Social media has made us all "experts." The internet has given everyone a voice. And some use that voice to try to share wisdom while others use that platform to simply shout the quiet, wise ones down. No longer do we have reasoned discussions; we have shouting matches. The loudest too often wins.

And wisdom is shut out.

Let us learn to heed the quiet voice of the wise. Our world will be better off because of it.