““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.” Rehoboam replied, “Give me three days to think this over. Then come back for my answer.” So the people went away. 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?” 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.” 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. “What is your advice?” he asked them. “How should I answer these people who want me to lighten the burdens imposed by my father?” 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! 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!’” Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to hear Rehoboam’s decision, just as the king had ordered. But Rehoboam spoke harshly to the people, for he rejected the advice of the older counselors 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!” 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. 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.”
1 Kings 12:4-16 NLT
Here we see a picture of two rulers who refuse to listen to wise counsel. In both places, each of these men possess a promise from God that will lead to them having fulfilling and productive lives. Yet each of them is afraid of what the future might hold. When they go before men for counsel, neither of them are particularly interested in what is right before God but instead what might lend them to have more of a promised blessing. This leads to idolatry and even a return to the false worship of the golden calves. As leaders, we must rely on more than wisdom alone. We must rely on God’s character to dictate the filter by which we accept counsel. It may have secured Jeroboam’s role, to institute false religion, but it didn’t place him in line with God’s character. Much like Abraham and Ishmael, this would only create enmity and strife for the long term future and compromise the kingdom that was valued so much. Let us be like David, returning to God’s heart when he is given counsel.
JOSH McGARY. COM 