The Seed is Chosen: Bad Seed

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:8-11

But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him. So he said to them, “What counsel do you give that we may answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?” The young men who grew up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you shall say to this people who spoke to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, now you make it lighter for us!’ But you shall speak to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins! Whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’”

Insights:   Yesterday we observed the good seed presented to Rehoboam.  Today, we notice the bad seed.  It has been my observation that people often times seek out advice in the hopes they will find someone to validate the choice with which they have already made.  In other words, a decision has to be made.  Down within the depths of their soul they know the good choice (seed) and the bad choice (seed) that lies before them.  They desire to make the bad choice and so seek out counsel until they find someone who will side with the choice they have already made.  Ironically, and not very surprisingly, this bad advice often comes from individuals who are not in an abiding love relationship with Jesus.  These bad advisors can be anywhere.  They can be family members, coworkers, associates at the local gym.  In other words, these people can be found anywhere.  In fact, we might even consult talk show hosts on television for our advice.  After all, they are the experts on every given subject matter under the sun, aren’t they?  Beloved, heed my advice from yesterday.  Seek out good godly counselors.  Let them point you to the way of the Lord that does not conflict with the Bible.  Then act on their advice even when it is hard.  In the long run you will be better off for such diligence and devotion to the Lord.  Choose the right seed to plant in your freshly cultivated ground.

Questions:

1. Who has recently given you bad advice?

2. How frequently do you act upon bad advice?

Prayer: Father, I again pray, in this world there are a lot of advisors in this world.  They are not all good advisors.  Lord grant me the wisdom to know the distinction between the two and help me to honor You in the process.  Amen.