Advice Taken Reflects Individuals’ Responses

So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him: “Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.” (1Kings 12: 3,4 NIV)

Kings

Jealousy stirred in King Saul’s heart to the point of God turning away from him. King David had trials, yet through repentance became known as the man after God’s own heart. King Solomon became the wisest of all, fell short with foreign wives turning his heart towards foreign gods. He refused direct advice. Now, Solomon’s son, Rehoboam faced Jeroboam and the entire assembly of Israel. Their request to lift the burden of harsh labor and heavy yokes was met with a plausible request to have three days for the King to pray.

Advice

He first summoned the advice of elders who served Solomon for life. I sense these elders were older and experienced carrying wisdom. They responded, “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.” Rehoboam rejected the elder’s advice seeking wisdom from his younger friends. With quite a different response, the young men replied, “My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.”

Responses

Rehoboam’s response following the young men’s advice is not different than many today. We receive sound advice and if it implores more effort than we desire to exert, it’s dismissed. For most becoming a servant opposes ideology of self importance in today’s world. From top political offices to career driven goals to parents of little league insisting their child is better. This mindset across the spectrum prefers to denounce others verses looking for ways to serve others.

Standing strong

The Israelites respond with instant rebellion. With same intensity many feel today towards abrasive situations. We face ploys in federal government denouncing majority vote of the people. Our Constitution is disregarded from top officials down. The voice of hate grows louder. Numbness to sin increases daily. Christians stand strong for Biblical truth or they tip toe quietly in the name of love. The Bible is clear truth shared in love brings maturity. With spiritual maturity, we discern good vs. evil. We understand God’s reason to become servant minded. Let’s pray from top government officials down to every individual, we will always take advice of the more matured-wiser counsel. Making a true difference in today’s world.

Be encouraged!