W. S. Gilbert wrote the words. Arthur Sullivan wrote the music. In the late nineteenth century, they worked together to produce fourteen operas. Many of these operas – The Pirates of Penzance and the Mikado are examples – are well-known internationally. They continue to be performed even today. They have also found their way into literature, film, and television.
But all was not rosy in the relationship. Gilbert is said to have been confrontational and had a thin skin. Sullivan swallowed and internalized his anger and frustrations. The partnership almost ended at one point.
Matters came to a head in 1890. The owner of the theater charged the cost of new carpet for the Savoy Theater to the two. Gilbert thought the owner should have absorbed the cost. To make a long story short, Sullivan took the owner’s side (there were several matters in dispute). The court eventually sided with Gilbert but one historian notes that they never spoke to each other again.
They did two more operas together. Sullivan wrote the music and mailed it to Gilbert. Gilbert wrote the words and mailed them back to Sullivan. During one curtain call, they stood on opposite sides of the stage and even bowed in opposite directions so they would not see each other.
“They knew how to make beautiful music, but they knew nothing about harmony” (Robert J. Morgan, Preacher’s Sourcebook of Creative Sermon Illustrations, pg. 31).
When God first identifies Himself in Scriptures, He says He is “a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6). “Slow to anger” in the ESV is translated “longsuffering” in other translations, notably KJV. The Hebrew is actually two words: ‘arek (long) and ‘p (nose, nostrils).
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This idiom – “long nosed” – in Hebrew means to be “patient” or “tolerable.” It describes God again in Numbers 14:18 & Psalms 86:15. In Jeremiah 15:15, the prophet says, “O Lord, you know; remember me and visit me, and take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In your forbearance take me not away; know that for your sake I bear reproach.” Forbearance is our words – long nosed.
God also calls on us to be “long-nosed:” “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly” (Proverbs 14:29). On the other hand, a “short-nosed” person (qsr ‘arek) is a menace to society and a danger to himself. “A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated” (Prov. 14:17).
The New Testament also enjoins us to be long nosed or “longsuffering:” 2 Corinthians 6:6; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 1:11; 3:12; 2 Timothy 3:10; 4:2.
So, before you destroy a good relationship (or a good opera), remind yourself: 1.) You are not perfect and people have to be patient with you; 2.) You need to relax and be patient with others; 3.) God has been patient with you more than you deserve; 4.) Therefore, you need to be patient with others more than they deserve.
Paul Holland
