Introduction

‘Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.’ Psalm 119:105

‘Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.’ Psalm 119:165

The counsel (i.e. advice) of the young men that was adopted by Rehoboam was clearly offensive, repressive, tyrannical and exploitative. He promised to add to the burden of the people and to make them suffer, disciplining them with scorpion rather than whips.

In short, he affirmed to them that he would be a worse ruler than his father. As a result of his disposition to his subjects, the kingdom was divided and 10 tribes of Israel deserted the king. He could carry on ruling the remaining 2 tribes (i.e. the southern kingdom) with an iron fist!

If he had heeded the counsel of the older men, the outcome might have been different during his reign. Indeed, the first verse of Psalm 1 declares that the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly is blessed (or happy).

The source of our counsel determines to a large extent how happy we may be as this suggests the outcomes of our actions. To love the law of God is to apply the counsel sourced from God’s words in our lives and this brings great peace as it helps us not to stumble. This is because the word of God provides unparalleled guidance. It illuminates our paths, driving away darkness!

One of my favourite songs, ‘Ancient Words’, written by Ronnie Freeman and Tony Wood, truly underscores the all-important truth about God’s words: ‘Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world. They resound with God’s own heart. Oh, let the ancient words impart………. Ancient words ever true, changing me and changing you; we have come with open hearts, oh, let the ancient words impart’.

Let’s be reminded that the inspired word of God is beneficial in a number of ways including teaching, correction and training in righteousness. It truly equips the men and women of God for every good work.

‘Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard this (he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), he returned from Egypt. So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him: ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labour and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.’ Rehoboam answered, ‘Go away for three days and then come back to me.’ So the people went away. 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. They replied, ‘If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favourable answer, they will always be your servants.’ But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. He asked them, ‘What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?’ 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. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’ Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam, as the king had said, ‘Come back to me in three days.’ The king answered the people harshly. Rejecting the advice given him by the elders, he followed the advice of the young men and said, “My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’ So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from the LORD, to fulfil the word the LORD had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite.’ 1 Kings 12:1-15

Prayer

Most holy God, we are truly grateful for the wonderful words of life which teach us faith and duty. May we ever be guided by your sweet counsel in our bid to live purer lives that glorify Your great name.