Which Ear, Week 14 Day 1, 1 Kings 12

Which Ear, Week 14 Day 1, 1 Kings 12

You’ve probably seen movies, TV shows or cartoons where the character, faced with a moral dilemma is “assisted” in making their decision by a good guy on one shoulder and a bad guy on the other.  Often times these shoulder conscious kibitzers are a devil and an angel. 

Invariably the angel gives advice about the right or good thing to do.  The devil gives advice about the wrong or bad thing to do.  And invariably the angel and the devil represent the internal discussion of the character faced with a choice.  No real new information is offered.  But as we watch or listen to the character converse with the angel and the devil, we get to eavesdrop on their internal decision making process.

In 1 Kings 12, the characters are real.  But the choices are just as stark as our modern day angel and devil argument.  Rehoboam has been made king.  Jeroboam comes to plead for Israel.  Under Solomon they were oppressed.  And Jeroboam asks Rehoobam to lighten their load.

No angels here, but the elders who had served as Solomon's advisers now plead Jeroboam’s case.  The elders’ advice to Rehoboam, act as a servant of the people, lighten their load and they in turn will always serve you.  A win – win if ever there was one.

Rehoboam  doesn’t like their advice.  So he rejects it and seeks the advice of his friends.  The young men’s advice, boast of how much stronger you are than your father was and increase their burden.  Yes, Solomon placed a heavy burden on them, but you make it even heavier. 

That’s the kind of advice you would expect from someone who attended the “Pharaoh While Israel was their Slaves School of Negotiations.”   That’s the kind of advice that you would expect from someone who is more concerned with getting whatever they can from others, rather than getting along with others. 

And Rehoboam decides to follow the advice of his younger friends rather than the advice of his father’s experienced advisers.  But this really isn’t about who is smarter, the young or old, the experienced or inexperienced.   Jeroboam wasn’t concerned with getting good advice.  Jeroboam was concerned about getting the answer that he already knew that he wanted.

Once you’ve made up your mind, it can be hard for any advice, good or bad, to change it.

We live in a time when politics and social issues are sharply divided.  And many of us only spend time listening to those people that already agree with us.  And if we do listen to the other side, it’s mainly to find points against their position.  We’re not really trying to learn anything.  We’re trying to score points for our side and poke holes in their side.

Rehoboam already know the answer he wanted.  And he only accepted the council of those who already agreed with him.  And in doing so Rehoboam, son of the wisest man ever to live made a most unwise choice.  And so the kingdom was torn in two.

Often in life there really is an absolute right or wrong position or thing to do.  But every day, leaders and even us normal folks are faced with choices and opportunities for discussion where there is room for real choice.  Will we serve others?  Or will we seek to get what we think we deserve?  Will we seek selfish gain or mutual benefit?  Will we seek to win our argument or understand another’s position.  Will we value others and really listen to them to hear their heart, or will we listen to them only enough to marginalize them and their position before we dismiss them.

Will we divide or unite?  Will we seek to serve ourselves or others?  And have you already decided, or will you really listen?

God, I pray that you would give me a servant’s heart.  Help me to see how to serve others, to see how by serving I can better their lives.  Don’t let me just see how others might serve me.  Give me wisdom that comes from You.  May I have ears to hear, a heart to listen, and a spirit of discernment that comes from You.  When there is a right or wrong, give me the courage to stand for what is right, and the grace to stand with a merciful and graceful heart.  But sometimes the hardest choice is to choose to listen.  Make me quick to hear the heart and needs of others.  Amen

Leonard