Am I wise?

“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 Chr. 10:8).

Age and wisdom do not always go together. One may become old and not wise, one may be wiser than his years. In our text, Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, rejects the wisdom of older men in favor of the advice of his peers. Because Solomon had been a heavy-handed and demanding king, a problem existed with the northern tribes. In fact, Jeroboam had fled to Egypt. After Solomon’s death, Jeroboam returned from Egypt and the people rallied around him as one who would present their request that Rehoboam lighten the burden. “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.” Rehoboam answered, ‘Come back to me in three days.’ So the people went away” (2 Chr. 10:4-5).

Rehoboam first asked for advice from the older men who had been a part of Solomon’s reign and then he asked for advice from his younger contemporaries. The elders advised Rehoboam to give the people a favorable answer, knowing that if he did so, the people would be loyal all of their lives. Rehoboam chose not to take this advice. The younger advisors told him to respond with even harsher demands. He chose to take this advice, but it turned out to be bad advice. The northern tribes rebelled and the kingdom was divided.

I am amazed at getting older. When I was younger, old folks (50 or 60 years old) died. When I was a little boy, no one thought about healthy, productive living into a seventh or eighth or ninth decade of life. Today I begin my seventh decade (fancy way of saying I turn 60). I am amazed that anyone cares what I think. I am a little surprised that people contact me and ask my advice and ask me to help.

In our society today, there is a tendency to devalue the contributions and wisdom of older people. May such never be among the people of God! God has placed wisdom in older people that the young can learn. I read today’s text differently than I did 40 years ago. I want to know what others think–especially those older than I am.

My question is not for you, it is for me. Aging carries responsibility. Am I wise?