What are the consequences of ignoring godly wisdom, as seen in 2 Chronicles 10:8? The Moment Rehoboam Tuned Out Wisdom “ But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him.” (2 Chronicles 10:8) Immediate Fallout—What Ignoring Wisdom Cost Israel • National Split: Ten tribes walked away, forming the Northern Kingdom • Loss of Stability: Judah faced economic strain and constant border tension • Unending Conflict: “There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.” (1 Kings 14:30) • Spiritual Drift: Idolatry spread in both kingdoms, paving the way to exile Personal Consequences for Rehoboam • Diminished Credibility—people no longer trusted their king • Heavy Tax Burden—he had to fortify cities and raise armies (2 Chron 11:5–12) • Humbling Defeat—Shishak of Egypt plundered Jerusalem (2 Chron 12:2–9) • Lasting Regret—his legacy became a cautionary tale of folly Timeless Principles Scripture Highlights • Proverbs 15:22: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” • Proverbs 12:15: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.” • Proverbs 13:20: “He who walks with the wise becomes wise, but a companion of fools will be destroyed.” • James 1:5 reminds us God generously gives wisdom when we ask in faith. Other Biblical Snapshots of Ignored Counsel • King Saul dismissed Samuel’s word—he lost the kingdom (1 Samuel 15) • Amaziah refused the prophet’s warning—Judah fell to Israel (2 Chron 25) • Conversely, David listened to Nathan and found restoration (2 Samuel 12) Living It Out Today • Seek seasoned, Scripture-saturated counsel before major decisions. • Measure every opinion against God’s Word—never the other way around. • Value humility; pride deafens our ears to loving correction. • Surround yourself with believers who fear the Lord more than they fear offending you. • Ask God daily for a teachable spirit—He still speaks through His Word, His Spirit, and His people. Ignoring godly wisdom cost Rehoboam a united nation; it can cost us marriages, ministries, and testimonies. Listening preserves peace, multiplies blessing, and keeps us aligned with God’s good design. |
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