Ask The Elders

• Share a time when an older person gave you some good advice. What was it?

• Think of an older person you look up to. What makes you respect him or her?

Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How would you advise me to answer these people?” he asked … But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him … The young men who had grown up with him replied, “These people have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter.’ Now tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist.’ “
1 Kings 12:6,8,10

When King Rehoboam became king of Israel, the people asked him to make some changes. He consulted the elders, who gave him wise advice that he ignored. He asked his friends, who gave him bad advice that he followed. He treated the people badly, and this foolish decision led to a revolt that divided the nation of Israel.

It is tempting to ask advice from our friends, people our age. It feels natural because these people think like us—they understand us. And therein lies the problem. Why ask people for advice if they aren’t any wiser than we are?

The truth is that people who are older than us are often wiser. They have lived longer. They have more experience. They have served God longer. They can often give really great advice. If you have access to the wisdom of “the elders,” then you would be foolish to pass it up. You can still ask your friends for advice, but ask your grandparents or other adults too.

PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for the older people we know and love. Please remind us to ask for advice when we need it. Amen.