Captures a city

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. Proverbs 16:32

Imagine the vigor, strength and strategy required to capture a city. The mighty warriors or the high ranking officers who take such a city would be trained in the art of war and tactics to arouse men to fight for a cause, their cause to gain splendor power and spoils or revenge.

Yet wisdom speaks that it is better to rule your own spirit. For the mighty leader who captures a city may appear to be able to organise thousands of men yet can they rule their own spirit?

....He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross... Philippians 2:8

Jesus although he could have called legions of angels and captured cities bringing about wrath for the wicked deeds done to Him did not. From the moment he was born he was carrying out this proverb He ruled his spirit, He was slow to anger.

Although the mighty were rising up against him by force it was impossible for them to kill Him for they could never take His life for it was only His to give up. This He did and in the most public death ever.

So that when we die with him we will also live with him and when we endure we will also rule with Him. I love how the gospel turns the knowledge of the world upside down.