Bunch of Old Fogies

TOPIC: The Wise Choice

SCRIPTURE: "BUT he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, AND consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him." (I Kings 12:8)

OBSERVATION: Lets look at what Rehoboam did:
He did seek counsel and wise counsel at that
Specifically he sought advice from his father's older counselors
He also sought advice from the next generation of leaders

Now let's look at what Rehoboam didn't do:
He didn't place more stock in his father's older and wiser counselors
NOTE: They definitely were more experienced than him and them (meaning the younger guys)
He didn't ask God which was the best advice.


APPLICATION: As I was reading today it caught my attention that although Rehoboam seemed to do somethings right, he forsook the counsel of the elders. Please understand, just because someone is older than you does NOT mean that they automatically qualify as a wise person. Furthermore, just because someone is young does not mean they are dumb.

I came across these questions when evaluating.
Is it realistic?
Is it workable?
Will it make improvements?
&
Is it consistent with Biblical principles?

Another Great Set of Questions To Run Through Anytime You Are Seeking To Do Something of Any Significance:

1.) Has God point blank told you, to do it?
2.) If so, has He told you you have to do it a certain way?
3.) If so, has He told you you have to do it in a certain time frame?

(SIDE NOTE: Please know these are just a few questions that you can run through when it comes to decision time. Meaning these are not they only questions you can ask. Please use these as a guide)

IF God wants you to do something
I've come to this realization

He's a pretty good communicator
&
He knows how to get my attention

Normally I know what he wants

Many times the wise counsel is there
to simply confirm what He's already said!

BONUS: Quotes on Evaluation

"The only man who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew every time he sees me, while all the rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them." ~ George Bernard Shaw
"True genius resides in the capacity for evaluation of uncertain, hazardous, and conflicting information." ~ Winston Churchill
"The most serious mistakes are not being made as a result of wrong answers. The truly dangerous thing is asking the wrong question." ~ Peter Drucker
"One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results" ~ Milton Friedman

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for Rehoboam's example. Help me to learn from his mistakes. Help me to listen and learn from the wise counselors that you bring around me. Help me not to forsake them because I think they're just a bunch of old fogies, and help me not to short change the next generation because I think I am smarter than they are.