2 Chronicles 10:8
“But he ignored the advice of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who had grown up with him and served him.”
Rehoboam was wise enough to seek wisdom, but too foolish to take it from the wrong people. He took it from his peers, young men like himself. Job 12:12 says, “Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.” This is a common principle that has lasted the ages.
Unfortunately our culture seeks to destroy this truth. Hollywood makes movies and shows that make the adults as foolish and the youth be wise. Their work is replete with it. This falsehood has been effective as young people often don’t respect their elders.
Why do they do this? They are trying to remake our society. They don’t like many of Americas values. So, this is a way to change them. Make the wise one’s appear to be foolish. Therefore their message is also foolish. Many of the young believe this and don’t look to their elders.
Unfortunately, we can be deluded and believe what’s wrong or foolish. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” We can be fooled. We can also be deluded by ignoring God. Romans 1:21 says, “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened.”
How can we avoid this trap? Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” We are to listen to Him and do what He says. We are to ask Him for wisdom. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” That is how we gain wisdom. He gives it.
There are other ways that we grow in wisdom. Learning from mistakes; either ours or that of others. We grow in wisdom by asking for advice.
There is a tendency to ask of those whom we know. It was natural for Rehoboam to ask his friends. There is some appeal to their words, be tough. We need to be careful. We should go outside of our comfort zone. Seek out those who are our elders. Be careful of the hip advice.
There is wisdom in God’s Word. Psalm 119:99 says, “I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.” Matthew 7:24 says, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
The bible is more than a book of wisdom. It’s God’s Word. It says it’s alive and can bring life. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Matthew 13 contains the parable of the sower. It explains how the bible’s words react in our hearts. Hearing the Word is like planting a seed. We have one of four responses, 1) receive, but with little depth, 2) anxious heart, 3) busy heart and 4) a right heart. In the first three the seed shows signs of growth but dies. The last heart grows the seed. The life and wisdom of God takes root and grows. This is growing in Christ.
Lord, thank You for Your Word and Your wisdom. Help us to grow in it. Help our hearts to be right. Thank You.