How does Rehoboam's delay compare to other biblical examples of seeking God's guidance? Rehoboam’s Three-Day Pause: 2 Chronicles 10:5 “Rehoboam answered, ‘Return to me in three days.’ So the people departed.” What Rehoboam Actually Did During the Delay • Sought the advice of elders who had served Solomon (10:6) • Rejected their counsel (10:8) • Listened instead to younger companions who urged harshness (10:10–11) • Never sought the LORD, never prayed, never consulted a prophet, priest, or the Scriptures Positive Biblical Models of Waiting for God’s Guidance • Moses – “Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD commands concerning you.” (Numbers 9:8) • David – “David inquired of the LORD, ‘Shall I pursue this raiding party?’ … He answered, ‘Pursue.’” (1 Samuel 30:8) • Jehoshaphat – “Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD.” (2 Chronicles 20:3) • Nehemiah – Four months of prayer before speaking to the king (Nehemiah 1:1; 2:1) • Early Church – “They all joined together constantly in prayer.” (Acts 1:14) What Sets These Examples Apart • Direct turning to God first, not last • Willingness to wait as long as needed (from hours to weeks or months) • Openness to whatever answer God gave • Result: clear direction, blessing, and protection Negative Parallels: Delays Without Seeking God • Saul – waited seven days, then acted in presumption and lost the kingdom (1 Samuel 13:8–14) • Israelites with Gibeon – “The men of Israel did not seek the counsel of the LORD.” (Joshua 9:14) • Rehoboam – three days of purely human consultation, ending in national division (2 Chronicles 10:16–19) Key Scriptures on Guidance and Waiting • “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5) • “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22) • “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach.” (James 1:5) Timeless Lessons • Time alone does not guarantee wisdom; whom we seek during the time matters. • Short delays can be fruitful when filled with prayer; long delays become futile when filled with self-reliance. • God honors those who inquire of Him; He opposes proud, impulsive, or purely human schemes. Rehoboam’s three-day pause stands in sharp contrast to the godward waiting modeled by Moses, David, and others. His story urges every believer to make prayerful dependence on the LORD the first and central step in every decision. |
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