Walk with the wise: A real-life lesson from Rehoboam

Recently we tackled a Bible lesson in the youth class at church about a young ruler who took the wrong advice.

Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, was seeking advice on how to govern the kingdom in 1 Kings 12. He asked the wise elders and the young advisers who he grew up with what to do. The story goes that he completely disregards the wise counsel’s advice to listen to the people and goes all in with the other advice to be a harsh ruler. Ultimately, his bad decision split his kingdom and cost his position and a life.

We talked about how we often want other people to validate us and tell us what we want to hear instead of what we need to hear. Sound familiar? How often do we seek out those words of validation to affirm our actions? And who are we listening to?

Wise counsel changes everything.

Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

What a word!

Who are we walking with today?

Are we companions of compassion and do we offer real balanced support and words of wisdom in a time of need for our friends?

Sometimes the right thing and the truth are the hardest things to hear or say.

But they are worth saying.

I don’t want people around me that just agree. I want them to challenge me and to counsel me and to make me better. And I want to be that for others.

So, where do we get wisdom?

James 1:5 says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”

You heard it here, friends! Go to the Source! God will grant you wisdom if you are wise enough and brave enough to ask. And when He speaks and answers, be ready to listen!

Challenge:

This week, choose one area of your life where you’ll ask God for wisdom—and then commit to acting on what He shows you