Why won’t we listen to advice? Jeremiah 38-42

Today’s reading: Jeremiah 38-41.

“If I had only listened to that advice. Why was I so foolish?”

For those within earshot of a prophet, the major problem was a failure to listen. If you wanted to send a prophet into retirement, nothing would have worked better than to heed his words. Jeremiah’s people failed to follow his warnings for forty years, so he kept talking, and they kept ignoring him, right up to the fall of Jerusalem and even after its destruction.

King Zedekiah ignored Jeremiah’s final warning. Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, your life will be spared and this city will not be burned down; you and your family will live. But if you will not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, this city will be handed over to the Babylonians and they will burn it down; you yourself will not escape from their hands.'”

Governor Gedaliah ignored a warning of personal danger. Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers still in the open country came to Gedaliah at Mizpah and said to him, “Don’t you know that Baalis king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to take your life?” But Gedaliah son of Ahikam did not believe them. (Gedaliah wasn’t of royal descent but was a good man who was appointed by Babylon to govern the Jews remaining in Judah.)

The remnant in Judah ignored advice not to flee to Egypt (Jeremiah 42). “This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you are determined to go to Egypt and you do go to settle there, then the sword you fear will overtake you there, and the famine you dread will follow you into Egypt, and there you will die.'”

In all these situations, someone disregarded wise counsel and disaster followed. Zedekiah continued to resist Babylon and Jerusalem was destroyed. Gedaliah took no precautions and Ishmael killed him, causing further hardship for the remaining Jews. The remnant did not remain in Judah but fled to Egypt against Jeremiah’s advice and suffered further violence there.

• Zedekiah was fearful of mistreatment by the Jewish exiles already in Babylon if he surrendered.
• Gedaliah seemed too naive of the potential wickedness in a man’s heart.
• The remnant was afraid of punishment by Babylon after Ishmael assassinated the appointed governor.
• All three put more confidence in their own assessment than in the advice of a counselor, even when the advice came directly from God.

We often judge ourselves too favorably and think less than we should of others. When our brothers or sisters in Christ share their counsel with us we should consider it seriously. Compare it with God’s word, of course. Listen to a number of wise persons if possible. But when receiving advice, remember not to look down on others and to have a sober judgment of yourself. Don’t reject godly advice. Put your own fears aside and put your trust in God’s promises.

Image by Jesslee Cuizon on Flickr, CC by 2.0

Good or Bad Advice? 2 Chronicles 10

Today’s reading: 2 Chronicles 9-12.

If you’re like me, it’s hard to ask for advice. Maybe it’s a pride issue, or shyness, or a lack of conviction that the results will be trustworthy. On the other hand, when I have asked for help, the results have usually been just what I needed.

When Rehoboam took the throne after his father’s death, he needed advice. The people of Israel were asking for relief from Solomon’s heavy taxes. The young king did the right thing in seeking counsel before he made a decision.

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 you will be kind to these people and please them and give them a favorable 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. 2 Chronicles 10:6-8

The Book of Proverbs, full of wisdom from Rehoboam’s father, says that there is success and safety in a multitude of counselors. Rehoboam didn’t listen to a number of advisors and then make a decision, however. He rejected his father’s advisors immediately, and then went looking for an opinion that catered to his own desires. He found it in his own companions, the young men with whom he grew up. They recommended a hard-line approach to the tax-weary citizens of Israel. The iron fist approach backfired, however, and caused the ten northern tribes to break away from Rehoboam and the tribe of Judah. The results were devastating because it led to open conflict between the people of the north and south. Even worse, King Jeroboam of the northern kingdom put an end to the worship of Jehovah. He established idol worship in Israel that continued until the Assyrians conquered the land.

Rehoboam acted foolishly.  What can we learn about how to receive advice from his mistake?

• It’s wise to seek counsel and get a number of opinions.
• You must keep an open mind as you listen to advice.
• Don’t think that your closest friends necessarily have the most wisdom.
• Consider the long-term outcome of advice as well as the short-term effects.
• Remember that true wisdom seeks what is best for everyone, not just what you want.

“If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.” – Francis Bacon

“A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.” – Baltasar Gracian

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. Proverbs 12:15

“It usually happens that when men will not ask counsel of God, if they go to other sources for guidance, they generally accept the very worst form of advice. When men trust in men, it is strange how often they trust in the worst and not in the best of men.” – Charles Spurgeon

Image by Pretty Poo Eater on Flickr, CC by-sa 2.0

A father’s advice: 1 Chronicles 22

Today’s reading: 1 Chronicles 22-24.

There are no perfect fathers, and that was certainly true for David. He failed to provide some necessary correction when his wayward sons needed it. He shut out Absalom when he should have been offering him a second chance. But as David’s life drew to a close, and he prepared to pass the torch to Solomon, he got it right and offered good advice to his son.

David continued, “Now, son, may the Lord your God be with you, and may he keep his promise to make you successful in building a temple for him. And may the Lord your God give you insight and wisdom so that you may govern Israel according to his Law. If you obey all the laws which the Lord gave to Moses for Israel, you will be successful. Be determined and confident, and don’t let anything make you afraid. 1 Chronicles 22:11-13

Fathers often do a better job of giving their children things instead of the words and attention they need most. David provided everything his son needed to build the temple, but he also took the time to share words of wisdom with him.

He reminded his son of God’s promises. The LORD promises to provide for us, protect us, guide us, fill us with joy, and give us so many other good gifts. Most of all, he promises salvation through faith in Jesus.

He stressed the importance of wisdom. There is the world’s way which leads to death. Then there is the way which begins with the fear of the LORD and continues on to life, health, and peace.

He shared the key to success: doing it God’s way. More than any other action, God desires our obedience. More than anything else, this assures us of God’s blessing.

He encouraged him to proceed confidently. Since he could count on God’s promises, and since the LORD will do what is good, Solomon could act without hesitation to carry out his father’s plan.

David wrapped all his words in prayer, asking God to give wisdom to his son. When Solomon became king and felt the full weight of his responsibilities, he cried out for wisdom, and God gave him more wisdom than any other man. It all began with a father’s advice.

David knew that Solomon could not be strong or courageous without obedient fellowship with God. In this place of obedient fellowship, Solomon would prosper in all that he did. Solomon could take courage and reject fear because God promised David that as long as his sons walked in obedience, they would keep the throne of Israel (1 Kings 2:1-4). This is an amazing promise. No matter what the Assyrians or the Egyptians or the Babylonians did, as long as David’s sons were obedient and followed God with their heart and with all their soul, God would establish their kingdom. He would take care of the rest. – David Guzik

Image by Jed Sullivan on Flickr, CC by-nc 2.0

Why won’t we listen to advice? Jeremiah 38-42

Today’s reading: Jeremiah 38-42.

“If I had only listened to that advice. Why was I so foolish?”

For those within earshot of a prophet, the major problem was a failure to listen. If you wanted to send a prophet into retirement, nothing would have worked better than to heed his words. Jeremiah’s people failed to follow his warnings for forty years, so he kept talking, and they kept ignoring him, right up to the fall of Jerusalem and even after its destruction.

King Zedekiah ignored Jeremiah’s final warning. Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, your life will be spared and this city will not be burned down; you and your family will live. But if you will not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, this city will be handed over to the Babylonians and they will burn it down; you yourself will not escape from their hands.'”

Governor Gedaliah ignored a warning of personal danger. Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers still in the open country came to Gedaliah at Mizpah and said to him, “Don’t you know that Baalis king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to take your life?” But Gedaliah son of Ahikam did not believe them. (Gedaliah wasn’t of royal descent but was a good man who was appointed by Babylon to govern the Jews remaining in Judah.)

The remnant in Judah ignored advice not to flee to Egypt. “This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you are determined to go to Egypt and you do go to settle there, then the sword you fear will overtake you there, and the famine you dread will follow you into Egypt, and there you will die.'”

In all these situations, someone disregarded wise counsel and disaster followed. Zedekiah continued to resist Babylon and Jerusalem was destroyed. Gedaliah took no precautions and Ishmael killed him, causing further hardship for the remaining Jews. The remnant did not remain in Judah but fled to Egypt against Jeremiah’s advice and suffered further violence there.

• Zedekiah was fearful of mistreatment by the Jewish exiles already in Babylon if he surrendered.
• Gedaliah seemed too naive of the potential wickedness in a man’s heart.
• The remnant was afraid of punishment by Babylon after Ishmael assassinated the appointed governor.
• All three put more confidence in their own assessment than in the advice of a counselor, even when the advice came directly from God.

We often judge ourselves too favorably and think less than we should of others. When our brothers or sisters in Christ share their counsel with us we should consider it seriously. Compare it with God’s word, of course. Listen to a number of wise persons if possible. But when receiving advice, remember not to look down on others and to have a sober judgment of yourself. Don’t reject godly advice. Put your own fears aside and put your trust in God’s promises.

Image by Jesslee Cuizon on Flickr, CC by 2.0

Good or Bad Advice? 2 Chronicles 10

Today’s reading: 2 Chronicles 9-12.

If you’re like me, it’s hard to ask for advice. Maybe it’s a pride issue, or shyness, or a lack of conviction that the results will be trustworthy. On the other hand, when I have asked for help, the results have usually been just what I needed.

When Rehoboam took the throne after his father’s death, he needed advice. The people of Israel were asking for relief from Solomon’s heavy taxes. The young king did the right thing in seeking counsel before he made a decision.

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 you will be kind to these people and please them and give them a favorable 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. 2 Chronicles 10:6-8

The Book of Proverbs, full of wisdom from Rehoboam’s father, says that there is success and safety in a multitude of counselors. Rehoboam didn’t listen to a number of advisors and then make a decision, however. He rejected his father’s advisors immediately, and then went looking for an opinion that catered to his own desires. He found it in his own companions, the young men with whom he grew up. They recommended a hard-line approach to the tax-weary citizens of Israel. The iron fist approach backfired, however, and caused the ten northern tribes to break away from Rehoboam and the tribe of Judah. The results were devastating because it led to open conflict between the people of the north and south. Even worse, King Jeroboam of the northern kingdom put an end to the worship of Jehovah. He established idol worship in Israel that continued until the Assyrians conquered the land.

Rehoboam acted foolishly.  What can we learn about how to receive advice from his mistake?

• It’s wise to seek counsel and get a number of opinions.
• You must keep an open mind as you listen to advice.
• Don’t think that your closest friends necessarily have the most wisdom.
• Consider the long-term outcome of advice as well as the short-term effects.
• Remember that true wisdom seeks what is best for everyone, not just what you want.

 “If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.” Francis Bacon

“A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.” Baltasar Gracian

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. Proverbs 12:15

“It usually happens that when men will not ask counsel of God, if they go to other sources for guidance, they generally accept the very worst form of advice. When men trust in men, it is strange how often they trust in the worst and not in the best of men.” Charles Spurgeon

Image by Pretty Poo Eater on Flickr, CC by-sa 2.0

A father’s advice: 1 Chronicles 22

Today’s reading: 1 Chronicles 22-24.

There are no perfect fathers, and that was certainly true for David. He failed to provide some necessary correction when his wayward sons needed it. He shut out Absalom when he should have been offering him a second chance. But as David’s life drew to a close, and he prepared to pass the torch to Solomon, he got it right and offered good advice to his son.

David continued, “Now, son, may the Lord your God be with you, and may he keep his promise to make you successful in building a temple for him. And may the Lord your God give you insight and wisdom so that you may govern Israel according to his Law. If you obey all the laws which the Lord gave to Moses for Israel, you will be successful. Be determined and confident, and don’t let anything make you afraid. 1 Chronicles 22:11-13

Fathers often do a better job of giving their children things instead of the words and attention they need most. David provided everything his son needed to build the temple, but he also took the time to share words of wisdom with him.

He reminded his son of God’s promises. The LORD promises to provide for us, protect us, guide us, fill us with joy, and give us so many other good gifts. Most of all, he promises salvation through faith in Jesus.

He stressed the importance of wisdom. There is the world’s way which leads to death. Then there is the way which begins with the fear of the LORD and continues on to life, health, and peace.

He shared the key to success: doing it God’s way. More than any other action, God desires our obedience. More than anything else, this assures us of God’s blessing.

He encouraged him to proceed confidently. Since he could count on God’s promises, and since the LORD will do what is good, Solomon could act without hesitation to carry out his father’s plan.

David wrapped all his words in prayer, asking God to give wisdom to his son. When Solomon became king and felt the full weight of his responsibilities, he cried out for wisdom, and God gave him more wisdom than any other man. It all began with a father’s advice.

Image by Jed Sullivan on Flickr, CC by-nc 2.0