I have always believed that a person’s brain is not fully developed until age 25. I tell people all the time to not go with the way they feel, rather go with what you know to be true. I get truth from God, reading the Bible every day. God reveals to me small glimpses of His character daily. In today’s passage, I couldn’t help think about the advice Rehoboam received from the elders and from his younger friends. The elders’ advice was wise, and the younger friends’ advice was terrible. Of course Rehoboam took the younger friends’ advice and look what happened. There are times when younger people give good, Godly counsel, but if it were up to me, the first step in discerning truth is to compare it to God Himself. If it’s part of His character, then go with it. If it’s not, then seek out other counsel. Nine times out of ten, advice from older, wiser people will contain counsel you’d be better off taking. I’m not saying never listen to youthful counsel. I’m saying view both carefully and closely. You’ll find a much higher percentage of wise advice coming from older, more experienced people.
1 Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all Israel had gathered to make him king. 2 When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard of this, he returned from Egypt, for he had fled to Egypt to escape from King Solomon. 3 The leaders of Israel summoned him, and Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israel went to speak with Rehoboam. 4 “Your father was a hard master,” they said. “Lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that your father imposed on us. Then we will be your loyal subjects.”5 Rehoboam replied, “Give me three days to think this over. Then come back for my answer.” So the people went away.6 Then King Rehoboam discussed the matter with the older men who had counseled his father, Solomon. “What is your advice?” he asked. “How should I answer these people?”7 The older counselors replied, “If you are willing to be a servant to these people today and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your loyal subjects.”8 But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisers. 9 “What is your advice?” he asked them. “How should I answer these people who want me to lighten the burdens imposed by my father?”10 The young men replied, “This is what you should tell those complainers who want a lighter burden: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! 11 Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!’ ”12 Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to hear Rehoboam’s decision, just as the king had ordered. 13 But Rehoboam spoke harshly to the people, for he rejected the advice of the older counselors 14 and followed the counsel of his younger advisers. He told the people, “My father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!”15 So the king paid no attention to the people. This turn of events was the will of the Lord, for it fulfilled the Lord’s message to Jeroboam son of Nebat through the prophet Ahijah from Shiloh.16 When all Israel realized that the king had refused to listen to them, they responded, “Down with the dynasty of David!We have no interest in the son of Jesse.Back to your homes, O Israel!Look out for your own house, O David!” So the people of Israel returned home. 17 But Rehoboam continued to rule over the Israelites who lived in the towns of Judah.18 King Rehoboam sent Adoniram, who was in charge of the labor force, to restore order, but the people of Israel stoned him to death. When this news reached King Rehoboam, he quickly jumped into his chariot and fled to Jerusalem. 19 And to this day the northern tribes of Israel have refused to be ruled by a descendant of David.20 When the people of Israel learned of Jeroboam’s return from Egypt, they called an assembly and made him king over all Israel. So only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the family of David.
1 Kings 12:1-20
Friday, June 2, 2023
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