Location and TimesI Kings 12:10 And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.
Most of the time we follow the advice that we wanted to hear. That is what happens in this story. Of course, the Lord was using this advice to bring discipline on Israel but it still teaches us a great truth.
The older men suggested that Rehoboam lower the taxes. The younger men say make the taxes heavier. This will bring about the split of Israel into two kingdoms.
As I read this I think of the number of times that I have failed listening to the wrong advice. Sometimes it appealed to my younger heart and desire to be tough. I wanted to do the hard things. I wanted to be right no matter who it hurt. I followed advice that told me to be hard on people.
Some older men seemed like liberals to me. I wanted to be tough and they seemed soft. I now know that they were right. I wanted to preach against sin and thought that they didn’t. The truth is that they did preach against sin and I didn’t have to prove anything by getting people to obey outward signs that I so loudly proclaimed.
Be care what advice you listen to!