Rehoboam and the Counsel of the Young Men

Captain's Log: Table Time ~ Wednesday, September 17th, 2025 ~ Vespers

⁸ But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him.

We enjoyed stopping throughout the story to reflect on the developments. The children were shocked at Rehoboam’s words to Israel. Scorpions! Initially, they saw that he had chosen the wrong advice. But we pushed a little deeper to see that the wrong advice also came from the young men. There is a big lesson here for the young. ‘Why was it the old men who had the better advice, do you think?’ Some good suggestions. ‘They had experience.’ ‘ They had served with Solomon a long time.’ ‘They’ve made mistakes before, and learned from them.’ Rehoboam failed to honour his father and mother, didn’t he? It’s quite simple, actually. 

We ran a scenario. ‘Why will happen when you hear advice from your friends or others your own age that is different from the advice Mama and Dada give? What will you do?’ Some correct answers, but also some recognition of the potential struggle. It won’t be easy. But it’s the right decision.

“Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.” Job 12:12

Once we saw Jeroboam lead the people into idolatry, we lingered on the idea of our leaders. I wasn’t expecting to, but we consider the impact political leaders have on our worship. Rehoboam and Jeroboam were both bad leaders. Rehoboam didn’t listen to wise counsel. Jeroboam cared more about his power than his people. But it goes further than that. Through these bad leaders, the people were led into false worship. 

I reminded the children that they will see more leaders than I will, all things being normal. I will depart, and they will remain. And they must not only ask, ‘Is this person a good leader?’ They must also ask, ‘What will this leader lead the people to worship?’ We have seen competent political leadership in Singapore leading people into the worship of money and pleasure. In Canada, leaders lead people into the worship of their own proclivities and ambitions. (C.S.) Lewis, when asked which of the religions in the world was the most popular, answered: ‘The worship of self.” 

We ran through some shorter catechism questions, sang As For Me - which the children are now singing very well. And then we prayed.