“Then one of the people said, ‘Your father strictly put the people under oath, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food today.” ‘ Then Jonathan said, ‘My father has troubled the land. See now, now how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.’ ” (1 Sam. 14:28-29)
King Saul’s leadership was often impulsive and without restraint. He drove the people to fight without eating, not because it was wise, but because he had the power. His hard oath may have made him look strong, but it made his people weak and as his own son said, “troubled the land.”
Rash judgment is a lot like a rash – irritating and distracting. It gets attention, but for all the wrong reasons.
In contrast, good leadership is thoughtful and measured. As James says, “let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (Jas 1:19). Power and authority are a responsibility and a privilege that should be exercised with care and diligence. Get all the facts and consider all the consequences first, and only then speak. Any fool can open his mouth. It takes a wise man to keep it closed.
“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Pr. 12:28)
Matt. 4:4 #Biblebites