Voices

Read: 2 Chronicles 10:6-16
Listen: 2 Chronicles 10

But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. 2 Chronicles 10:8

Jeroboam, a former servant and aide to Solomon, approaches Rehoboam with a plea. Solomon had placed heavy burdens upon the Israelites, conscripting some for forced labor in his extensive building projects. Jeroboam approaches Rehoboam and requests that he ease some of the burdens. Rehoboam consults with two different pools of counselors—the elders (who were also Solomon’s counselors) and his peers. Rather than heed the wise advice of the elders, Rehoboam listens to his friends, who advise him to treat the Israelites even harsher than his father did. Unfortunately, Rehoboam rejects the counsel of the elders and follows the advice of his peers, ultimately leading to the split of Israel’s kingdom.

Who we listen to matters. Ironically, Solomon had written extensively about acting wisely and heeding wise counsel. Solomon noted, for instance, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice” (Proverbs 12:15). Unfortunately, like Rehoboam, we can listen to the wrong advice or reject good counsel. The people we need to listen to are those with godliness and experience—men and women who walk closely with God and have gained wisdom through experience.

TODAY: Consider the people you spend the most time with, and especially those you listen to. Do these individuals have experience and godly character? Seek wise counselors or mentors and ask God for a posture of humility to listen to and accept wise, godly voices.