The Strong Know Their Weakness

“So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.” (2Ch 11:17 AV)

The ‘they’ are the Levites who migrated from Israel to Judah because of Jeroboam’s idolatry.  Jeroboam made priests of the lowest of the people to offer sacrifice to the golden calves he made.  This migration of Levites affected the reign of Rehoboam is a great way.  It was the increase of the men of God that turned the reign of Rehoboam around.  What they might have seen as a negative thing actually turned to a good thing.  Rehoboam was not headed in the right direction.  It all started with the seeking of advice.  He had his mind made up.  He asked the old men whom his father, Solomon consulted, and they did not advise as he desired.  So, he sought out advice from his friends.  This turned out to be the wrong advice.  According to chapter twelve and verse one, Rehoboam was headed down the road of disobedience and all Israel with him.  This is after the kingdom was established.  So, it is not out of the realm of possibility that the three years mentioned above were the last three years of his reign.

Rehoboam was the kind of leader who never realized how much he needed the help of other people until it was too late.  Even when he was thinking of going up against Israel to re-establish the kingdom, God had to use the entire nation to come to the conclusion that was not the LORD’s will.  Rehoboam declined the advice of men wiser than he.  He could not make the decision to retreat on his own.  The people made it for him.  Now, he must rely on the ministry of all the priests of the nation to get him back on track.  This is not a criticism.  It is an observation.

Leaders cannot lead alone.  This is utter foolishness.  They need counselors.  They need input.  They need advice.  Yes, the buck stops with them.  Absolutely.  But he cannot lead as an island unto himself.  He must listen.  He must seek out other points of view.  As a leader, I enjoy this immensely.  Listening to the opinions and input of others is a learning experience for me.  What makes it much easier is when those who are counseling also understand the decision ultimately belongs in my lap.  There had to be freedom both ways.  Freedom of those who counsel to counsel.  And freedom of those who lead to lead.  When one or the other is missing, the people cannot be governed effectively.