Gold Nugget
Verse 18: “Plans are established by counsel; by wise
counsel wage war.”
Commentary
Solomon wrote
this proverb and gave good advice that we all should follow. If only his son, Rehoboam,
would have taken this advice, it would have forever changed the history of Israel.
Soon after taking rule over the kingdom, Rehoboam came into a real
political crisis. Although his father was considered the wisest person to ever
live, he had taxed the people very heavily. The people cried out in protest,
demanding to know if Rehoboam would follow in his father’s footsteps.
Being caught in such a difficult situation he knew that wisdom was in council.
His father had taught him that for sure. Seeking such direction, he went to the
council his father had established. They advised him to consider the needs of
the people. Instead of taking the councel of the elders, he got a second
opinion. He went to his peers. He asked the people he grew up with what he
should do. They suggested he refuse the people’s attempt to push him around and
make demands. This met more with his youthful pride and he announced to the
people that he would take it even a step further than his father and tax
heavier with tougher rule. The end result was the division of the Kingdom of Israel.
Divided into two kingdoms, they were sure to fall. “If
a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” (Mark 3:24) …and fall it
did. It is known in the scriptures and in history that Israel and Judah (the
other half of after the split) would later fall into slavery. It would never
fully recover. If only Rehoboam
would have followed his father’s advice as he wrote in today’s “gold nugget”, “Plans are
established by counsel; by wise
counsel wage war.” Although he found good council in the older,
wiser men, he chose to please himself and his friends to his own demise. When
making decisions in life, we should consider the life of Rehoboam.
Let us not think so highly of ourselves that we will not submit to wisdom and
direction from those who have obtained it. Furthermore, poor council is worse
than no council. Finding those that will agree with your position is not
confirmation that you should continue with your own ideas. If you seek wisdom,
you will find it. When you find it, take it!
Prayer
Lord, there
have been times where we needed council and you provided it, only to have us
seeking a second or third opinion until we found one we preferred. Help us to
recongnize good council and adhere to it when you send it. Amen
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