How can we apply the elders' wisdom to leadership roles in our lives? Setting the Scene 1 Kings 12:6 captures a pivotal moment: “Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. ‘How do you advise me to answer these people?’ he asked.” Before the split of Israel, the new king pauses to seek seasoned counsel. His initial impulse is exactly right—yet, as the rest of the chapter shows, he later abandons that wisdom and reaps painful consequences. The verse offers timeless guidance for every sphere of leadership today—home, church, workplace, community. What We Learn Directly from the Verse • Rehoboam initiated the conversation; humility set the tone. • He chose men who had proven themselves under Solomon, a leader renowned for wisdom (1 Kings 4:29–34). • He requested advice before making a decision, illustrating Proverbs 1:5: “Let the wise listen and gain instruction.” Why Elders’ Wisdom Matters • God often channels guidance through experienced believers (Deuteronomy 32:7). • Proverbs 11:14 underscores the protective power of counsel: “With many counselors comes deliverance.” • Hebrews 13:7 calls us to “consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” We watch seasoned lives, not just hear words. Principles for Today’s Leaders 1. Listen Before Leading – Pause, ask, and truly hear before speaking or acting (James 1:19). 2. Honor Proven Experience – Seek those who have walked faithfully for years, not just those who speak loudly. 3. Weigh Counsel Against Scripture – Acts 17:11 commends believers who test everything by the Word. 4. Embrace Humility – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). Practical Steps to Harness Elders’ Wisdom • Form a personal board of advisers: a small circle of mature believers you contact before major choices. • Schedule regular check-ins—coffee, phone, video calls—to glean steady input, not just crisis help. • Invite critique of your leadership style; constructive correction refines character (Proverbs 27:6). • Journal insights and Scriptures they share; review them when decisions arise. • Apply quickly; wisdom obeyed soon becomes wisdom internalized. Safeguards When Seeking Counsel • Avoid echo chambers. Mix perspectives—older men and women, varied backgrounds (Titus 2:2-5). • Beware of advice that contradicts clear Scripture, no matter how respected the source (Galatians 1:8). • Pray for discernment. “The wisdom from above is…impartial and sincere” (James 3:17). Extending the Cycle of Wisdom • Mentor the next generation. Paul told Timothy, “The things you have heard…entrust to faithful men” (2 Timothy 2:2). • Model teachability. Younger watchers learn more from a leader who still learns than from one who acts self-sufficient. • Celebrate elders publicly—sharing stories, inviting them to speak, demonstrating that age and faithfulness are assets, not relics. The Takeaway Leadership flourishes when it slows down to seek, honor, and apply the tested insight of godly elders. Rehoboam’s first instinct was right; our consistent practice must be better. Listen deeply, weigh biblically, act humbly—and pass the torch wisely. |
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