2 Chronicles 10:8-11

Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.

Bible Reading

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, “Tell the people who have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter’—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.’”

– 2 Chronicles 10:8-11

Devotion

Rehoboam inherited the throne from his father Solomon. A nationwide assembly was called at Shechem. The people asked him to lighten their workload since they labored hard under Solomon. Rehoboam foolishly rejected the counsel of the elders choosing instead to follow the harsher advice of his young friends. When the people heard this harsh answer, they revolted from Rehoboam’s leadership and the divided kingdom became a reality.

The Big Question

Jesus modeled servant leadership. He truly cared about people. The elders who advised Rehoboam understood this principle, but the younger men thought Rehoboam should “show the people who was the boss” by leading with threats. Wisdom grows with age. Who do you go to for advice? If you minister to others, how can you do a better job of being a “servant leader” to them?

Spend some time in prayer pondering how God has spoken to you through His Word today.