FOOLISH RESPONSE
1 Kings 12:1-16

Pray that foolish response shall not be your portion on every ground that you have been elevated. Rehoboam, having become a king after his father king Solomon, was approached by the whole assembly of Israel saying, “Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.” (1 Kings 12:4) Rehoboam responded with a better answer when he said to them to come back in three days. When we are short of answer or response it is better to delay response by going on to inquire than to responding with a grave or negative response that could affect our position. Rehoboam consulted the elders and he got a response, “And they spoke to him, saying, ‘If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.’”(1 Kings 12:7) Have you been promoted to a higher position where you are to be served for a better result? It is better to learn to serve from the word of God on how to be a server first before being served as one who is leading. Rehoboam did not receive the advice of the elders well when he went to consult the young men. The young men that had grew with him gave him advice that set him up against the people he was to be serving, “…Thus you should speak to this people who have spoken to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter on us’—thus you shall say to them: ‘My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s waist! 11 And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!’” Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders and delivered the rough advice of the young ones. Rehoboam’s response was a fall in the beginning of his reign that lasted through to the end of his reign. It is important to know that every position of power or leadership is not to oppress or to stress out the people but is to lead by serving them first. Jesus, the author and finisher of our fait made it clear by example and in His word, “And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:27-28) Have you been elevated to a leadership position or you are about to be? If you will lead by Jesus’ example and not take the route of Rehoboam, you will arrive at the final destination safe and sound. The Lord will have mercy.