ELDERS ARE WISE
Memorise:
With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding. .. Job 12:12
Read:
Exodus 18:13-24
Message
If you have elders around you, you have rare wisdom around you, and you should learn from their wealth of wisdom. There are certain things that elders know that Google, as vast as it is, does not know. The elders have some alternative treatments for sicknesses and diseases that modern science has not caught up with yet. There are some experiences that they have when it comes to relating with other people that you cannot learn in any book or university. If you take care of your elders and learn from them, there is a lot you will know and have as an advantage over your peers. In Yoruba land, when we see a child behaving wisely, we call him or her Omo Agba meaning the child of an elder, because we know straight away that he or she must have learnt a lot from an elderly person.
With all of Moses' education in Egypt, the greatest nation in those days, his father-in-law, Jethro, was the one who taught him a valuable lesson about delegation. Moses got the best leadership education in the world and thought he was a good leader until he was exposed to an elder's wisdom. Jethro's counsel showed him that he was not that wise after all. You may think you are wise because you are educated and have the internet at your fingertips, but if you listen to the elders, you will discover a lot of truth that will really help you in life.
When an elder advises you, take that advice dearly because what you do with it could be the difference between success and failure. In 1 Kings 12:6, King Rehoboam met with elders on how to rule the people. They gave him advice which was filled with wisdom. However, he went to meet his younger friends for advice, and because theirs seemed more exciting, he pushed aside the advice of the elders. Rehoboam's actions caused a civil War, and he lost the kingdom of Israel, as we see in verses 18 and 19:
Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
Never despise the advice of godly elders.
Bible In One Year:
Isaiah 29-31
Hymn:
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
Action Point:
Write a list of godly elders that you have around you, and start taking care of them and spending time with them from now. You will learn a lot from them before they go to be with the Lord.
What a friend w e have in Jesus