12/17/00, PM, Pastor McDearmon

"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty..."  Eccl. 10:4-7

Prefacing Comments

1. The primary lesson of verses 4-7 is that of wisdom applied to our passions.
2. Vs. 4-7 are being viewed as a unit of thought despite the paragraph break.  Verses 5-7 are a continuation of vs. 4, calling for the same thing.
3. The section recalls these previous sections:  Eccl. 4:14-16; 5:8-9; 7:7; 8:1-9
4. Vs. 4-7 are an example of one primary way the fool demonstrates to everyone he is a fool.

IV.  4th Discourse
D.  Vanity dispelled by wisdom applied
3.  To anger
    a.  Provocation #1:  vs. 4
When you're dealing with a hotheaded superior, remain composed.  Panicking, resigning, quitting will only make things worse.
"Do not abandon your position" - don't walk away in a huff.
Reason:  composure allays great offenses.
Composure - signifies a calm, controlled, clear-headed response.  Angry passions only incite angry passions.  Wisdom leads to this kind of composure.
   b.  Provocation #2:  vs. 5-7
Fools an incompetence are often in high places and this can make a good man irritated.  Don't look upon the wise with envy but as people from whom you can learn.  The idea is dissidence. 

Summary 
This can provoke wise and good men to anger.
-  Beware of the provoking nature of such reversal
-  Beware of the temptation to quit
-  When we are ruled by fools, we need to remember that God is truly sovereign over the land and the peoples.