Counsel Rejected

I’ve always been a fan of TV shows that feature attorneys. I used to watch Perry Mason (I know that this “dates” me a bit!) and Matlock and most recently Law & Order. I realized a long time ago that there are times our legal system fails, but it really the best thing we’ve got so make sure justice has heard both sides. I don’t always agree with the judge or the jury, but I do believe in the system of justice we have.

I also believe in seeking counsel. I remember the old saying; “he who represents himself in a court of law has a fool for a client”. I have sought the counsel of an attorney on occasion and found them to be incredibly wise and forward thinking. I also think it’s unwise to ask an attorney for counsel and then ignore it.

King Solomon has just died and his son Rehoboam is the heir to the throne. The people reached out to Rehoboam and asked him for changes. Check this out…

4 “Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.”

5 Rehoboam answered, “Come back to me in three days.” So the people went away.

6 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.

7 They replied, “If you will be kind to these people and please them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.”

8 But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. (2 Chronicles 10:4-8 NIV)

Rehoboam didn’t like the counsel from the elders. He decided to seek the counsel of some young men who would tell him what he wanted to hear. He didn’t understand the gravity of this decision or either he didn’t care. That one decision and response to the people cause a split in the Kingdom of Israel. The counsel of the older elders could have averted the division. It’s not always easy to follow the counsel or advise of others, but it’s usually very wise. If I’ve so close to a situation then I can’t always see the outcome of my decisions. If I have wise counsel, they have a different set of eyes as well.

The church I serve has been seeking to train biblical counselors that come alongside others to help them understand how the Word of God can speak in to all areas of our lives. Our training has been careful to teach that the Word of God has the authority – we are not as concerned with counselor opinions – the Word of God will provide the counsel needed. This has been profoundly simple but very powerful in so many ways. The Word of God gives incredible counsel and timeless wisdom. It is often rejected and ignored.   Before I get too “up in arms” about the idiocy of Rehoboam, I need to check my own track record of following the counsel of God.

Pressing On!

Dwayne