BE QUIET!

Even an ignorant fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise… Proverbs 17:28 

Recently on the Glenn Beck Program, Glenn and his sidekick Stu were briefly discussing the remarkable rise in George W. Bush’s popularity. In fact, among a mixed sample of Republicans, Democrats, and independents, Bush now polls with some of the highest favorability ratings among living ex-Presidents. This is indeed fascinating, considering that GWB left the White House in 2009 with dismal support—excoriated by Democrats, and even rejected by many Republicans for his ideological globalism and various policy failures. I didn’t hear Glenn articulate a theory behind the current phenomenon, so I’ll hazard one of my own.

Note that Bush is by far the most reticent of ex-Presidents. Aside from some sporadic negative comments about Trump’s “America-First” agenda, he seems to say very little about anything. In marked contrast, Clinton and Obama continue to engage in high-profile provocative addresses at major venues. Remarkably, even a struggling Biden occasionally comes out of mothballs to rage against Trump. But not Bush! Like the inscrutable Sphinx along the Nile, he chooses to remain taciturn and aloof—and therefore, mysterious. If the goal is to enhance his elder statesman status, polls would indicate that the “strategery” is working!

Spiritual application. First, don’t get me wrong—we MUST speak out boldly, definitively, firmly, plainly, constantly, and controversially for Jesus! Yet “there is an appointed time for everything” (Eccl.3:1). There are times for LISTENING and LEARNING—and for taking great care in measuring our words. As Solomon observes in today’s passage, even the fool appears reflective—a “man of understanding”—when his big yap is shut! Discerning when to remain silent guards us from expressions of error, rashness, and needless offence. Everyone isn’t breathlessly pining to hear every opinion!

Terry L. Reese