The Folly of Rehoboam
As we recall from 1 Kings 12 this past weekend, Rehoboam was faced with a difficult decision and initially seemed to be acting out in wisdom. He, first, called his father’s counsel to seek their wisdom. This alone shows wisdom we so often lack in our cultural context. How often do we see someone ask advice on how to raise their children on facebook? Or watch a youtube short on theology or politics? How many of us will admit that we seek health advice from Tiktok!? It’s not that the questions we are asking are bad, or the source isn’t even knowledgeable. But, when faced with a difficult situation or dilemma, where do we first seek our wisdom?
For Rehoboam, sadly, this is where his perceived wisdom ended. He may have genuinely wanted the elders' advice. Or, maybe he was just trying to appear wise. In either case, he quickly left their counsel and ran to those who he knew would reaffirm the decision he was always going to make. This brings us back to the more serious question of our own hearts: why do we run to facebook, or Tik Toc, or even a close friend who always reassures us when we are in desperate need of counsel? Why is this the first, if not the only, counsel we seek? And, if we are honest with ourselves, when we follow this type of counsel, or self-counsel, it so often leads to division and destruction just as it did with Rehoboam and the Kingdom of Israel
How do we avoid folly?
It may sound cliche but the best way to avoid folly is to walk in wisdom.
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17
According to Ephesians, we are to seek after understanding what the will of the Lord is as we walk through our days. When we are seeking wisdom, what is our primary motivation? I confess I often am looking for wisdom and counsel that will lighten my burden or bring me comfort, not counsel that may lead me to the will of God at my personal sacrifice. And, at times, this means we need to seek counsel to help us understand what the will of the Lord is.
Where should we seek counsel?
The Word- Oh, would we be a people that first sought the word of God which is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” as Hebrews 4:12 tells us.
The spiritually mature relationships God has placed in our lives- Wisdom is not reserved solely for pastors and elders (although I have no doubt that any of our pastors or elders would gladly offer counsel…I have sought and experienced this counsel many times!). God has placed spiritually mature men and women in our lives that are far wiser than any facebook message board or youtube short could offer. Oftentimes, we may be too reticent to ask, in fear of hearing something that may challenge us. Nevertheless, Proverbs reminds us that “faithful are the wounds of a friend” (27:6).
Pastors, Elders, Biblical Counselors and other Church Leaders- While wisdom is not reserved solely for pastors and elders, they are absolutely a great source and resource of wisdom that the Lord uses to bless His bride. Here at City Church, we are blessed with a plethora of pastors, elders, deacons, and leaders of ministry that exude wisdom and will repeatedly point you to Christ, not just your comfort.
How do we respond to counsel?
With humility. The bible repeatedly tells us to be humble (Philippians 2:3-8, Colossians 3:12-14 to name a few) and we don’t have to look any further than Christ as our example, who humbled himself on the cross. When we seek true counsel to help us know the will of God, we do so in humility, knowing (dare I say expecting) the Lord to call us to more than we think we can bare. But, praise be to our Lord who gave us the Holy Spirit who helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26). My wife and I can attest to the number of men and women who have spoken wisdom into our lives over the years as we have faced trials of various kinds. The counsel was not always easy but it was loving and wise.
Let us not follow in the folly of Rehoboam and seek after counsel that does not seek to know the will of God in our lives or merely reaffirms the choices we intend to make. May we seek the Lord through prayer, through his Word and by humbly seeking counsel from the spiritually mature men and women of God that he has graciously placed in our lives. And, if you do not have someone to reach out to, this is an open invitation to ask the person sitting next to you on Sunday morning for coffee. Or grab a pastor or elder after service. Or reach out to one of us on the Care and Counsel team who pray for opportunities to minister and counsel in our local body. Oh, would we be a church that fosters and desires this type of community.