Louis XIV was the king who famously said, “L’etat, c’est moi” (I am the state). In one sentence, he summarized the idea that the government existed in himself. He was the “end all and be all” of his society. King Louis XIV was a loquacious man in his youth, but in his older years, he became much more self-controlled relative to the use of his tongue.
But he did so with ulterior motives. He used this practice to make other people uncomfortable around him. His people, even his court, did not know where they stood with him and what he might say or do next. No one knew what he wanted to hear. It was his way of keeping people under his control.
When King Louis XIV wanted to hear a matter confronting his kingdom, his ministers would debate the issue among themselves. When they had finished debating the issue, two of them would choose one side of the debate and present it to the king, each taking a turn. Before the king, they would again take turns presenting their side of the matter. But they did not know how to present it to the king.
How should the matter be worded? Would they make him angry or could they win him to their side? When would they present the matter (some people are more agreeable in the morning hours, others in the evening)? How should they present their faces? It was a serious issue to present the debate before the king.
It is said that King Louis would listen in silence and make sure his face showed no signs of agreement or disagreement. At the end of the debate, he would look at his ministers and say, “I shall see.” Then he would leave. They would not hear from him again about the matter. The only way they knew which side he took was the subsequent policy he would implement. The matter would not be brought up verbally again.
We do not serve a king like Louis XIV. God could have told us much more than He did, but what He has revealed to us is sufficient to allow us to live our lives pleasing to Him (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Because God is love (1 John 4:8), there will be no surprises on the day of judgment. The words that Jesus has given us are the words by which we will be judged (John 12:48). That’s why it is so important for us to study, meditate on, and obey to the best of our ability the message from God.
Paul Holland
