Rehoboam, son of Solomon, had an opportunity to bring healing and rest to his people. Apparently, Solomon had placed a heavy yoke of hard service upon them, and the people wanted a reprieve from their forced labor.
Rehoboam consulted the old men who had advised his father, but instead of listening to men with experience and wisdom, he listened to his power hungry buddies.
1 Kings 12:6-8
Amplified Bible (AMP)
6 And King Rehoboam consulted with the old men who stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived and said, How do you advise me to answer this people?
7 And they said to him, If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them and answer them with good words, they will be your servants forever.
8 But he forsook the counsel the old men gave him and consulted the young men who grew up with him and stood before him.
1 Kings 12:14
Amplified Bible (AMP)
14 And spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; he chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
This acceptance of foolish consul caused ten tribes of Israel to break away from Rehoboam; his act initiated the divided kingdom of Israel.
Matthew 12:25
Amplified Bible (AMP)
25 And knowing their thoughts, He said to them, Any kingdom that is divided against itself is being brought to desolation and laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will last or continue to stand.
Like Rehoboam, our society generally does not value the wisdom that comes from age and experience. The thought being that most older individuals don't keep up with advances in technology, so they must not have anything to offer. Or, they are so old-fashioned and set in their ways, they just don't understand.
Yet, the experience that comes from actually living a godly life can be a gold mine of wisdom for us to tap, if we recognize it.
Proverbs 16:31
Amplified Bible (AMP)
31 The *hoary head is a crown of beauty and glory if it is found in the way of righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).
The next time wise advice is needed look for a godly, older person and receive the wisdom that comes from living.
*gray or white hair
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