What does 2 Chronicles 10:5 teach about patience in leadership? Setting the Scene • Israel gathers at Shechem to crown Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. • The people request lighter labor and taxation. • 2 Chronicles 10:5: “Rehoboam answered, ‘Come back to me in three days.’ So the people departed.” A Leader Who Takes a Pause • Rehoboam does not react impulsively. • He intentionally creates space—three full days—for reflection. • This deliberate delay hints at an instinct to seek counsel (v. 6) and weigh options. Patience in Decision-Making • Patience allows emotions to cool and facts to surface. • A waiting period communicates, “Your request matters enough for careful thought.” • It protects a leader from rash vows (cf. Ecclesiastes 5:2) and hasty words that can’t be recalled. Lessons for Today’s Leaders • Pause before pronouncing: – Gather information. – Invite input from trusted advisers. – Pray and listen for God’s direction. • Time spent waiting is not wasted; it is an investment in clearer vision and unity. • People generally accept tough decisions more readily when they see their leader has listened and pondered. Balancing Patience With Wisdom • Rehoboam’s pause was commendable, but he later ignored godly counsel (vv. 8–15). • Patience must be coupled with: – Humility to hear seasoned voices (Proverbs 15:22). – Submission to God’s revealed will (Psalm 119:105). – Courage to choose the righteous path, not merely the popular one. Scriptures That Echo the Principle • James 1:19: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” • Proverbs 19:2: “Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever hurries his footsteps misses the mark.” • Proverbs 21:5: “The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.” • Psalm 27:14: “Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!” • Isaiah 40:31: “Those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength…” • Luke 14:28: “Which of you…does not first sit down and count the cost…?” Putting It into Practice • When a decision looms, schedule a defined period—hours, days, or weeks—before finalizing. • During that window: – Seek Scripture for direction. – Consult mature believers with proven wisdom. – Evaluate motives: is the aim service or self-promotion? • Communicate the timeline clearly so stakeholders know they’ve been heard. • After the pause, move forward decisively, trusting the Lord who counseled through His Word and His people. |
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