What lessons on seeking wise counsel can we learn from 2 Chronicles 10:12? Setting the Scene “After three days, Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam, as the king had said, ‘Come back to me in three days.’ ” — 2 Chronicles 10:12 Solomon is gone, his son Rehoboam sits on the throne, and the northern tribes request lighter taxes and labor. Rehoboam postpones a decision for three days, giving us a snapshot of what happens when a leader considers—then rejects—sound counsel. What the Verse Highlights • Rehoboam deliberately sets aside time before answering. • The people trust his word and return. • A hinge moment is created: whether he will heed wise voices or impulsive ones. That pause is significant. It tells us seeking counsel isn’t optional; it shapes destinies. Lessons on Seeking Wise Counsel • Make room for reflection – Rehoboam’s three-day pause shows wisdom begins by refusing knee-jerk decisions (Proverbs 19:2). • Consult the right voices – He first turns to elders who had served Solomon (v. 6). Their longevity signals tested wisdom (Job 12:12). – He next turns to his peers who “grew up with him” (v. 8). Shared experience doesn’t equal spiritual maturity. • Weigh counsel by Scripture’s values, not comfort level – The older men advise servant-leadership: “If you will be kind… they will be your servants forever” (v. 7). This echoes Jesus’ future words in Matthew 20:26. – The younger men urge harshness, contradicting Leviticus 19:18’s call to “love your neighbor.” • Rejecting godly counsel invites division – Rehoboam’s choice fractures the kingdom (v. 19). Proverbs 15:22 warns, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” • The responsibility remains personal – Advice can be gathered, but obedience is individual. James 1:22 reminds us to be “doers of the word.” Reinforcing Examples from Scripture • Moses listens to Jethro and avoids burnout (Exodus 18:17-24). • Saul ignores Samuel and loses the kingdom (1 Samuel 13:13-14). • David gathers priests, captains, and prophets before enthroning Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:1-8). • The Bereans examine Paul’s teaching against Scripture (Acts 17:11). Practical Take-Aways 1. Schedule space before big decisions—silence gives clarity. 2. Seek input from spiritually seasoned believers, not merely contemporaries. 3. Examine every suggestion under the light of God’s Word. 4. Pray for discernment, then act decisively on counsel that aligns with Scripture. 5. Remember that ignoring wise advice may not just affect you; it can impact entire communities, families, or churches. Rehoboam’s three-day window still speaks: counsel matters, choices count, and listening to the right voices safeguards God’s people. |
    |