“But he rejected the advice of the elders who had advised him, and he consulted with the young men who had grown up with him…” 2 Chronicles 10:8
Birds of a feather flock together. You are known by the company you keep. Like seeks like. If you lay down with dogs, you get up with fleas. All colorful idioms that describe the crowds we choose to run with throughout the many different stages of our lives. As King Solomon dies, the reins of the kingdom are passed to his son Rehoboam and the apple does indeed fall far from the tree. Solomon had taxed the people heavily to fund his massive building programs and the people are seeking tax relief from their new king. Rehoboam has a decision to make regarding his future tax policies. He goes to the men that advised his father, Solomon, surely these elders had gleaned great wisdom from serving under the wisest man in the Bible. It seems young Rehoboam is off to a great start in seeking wise counsel for major life decisions. But he has other voices in his ear, voices that did not speak wisdom but foolishness. The friends he had grown up with now have a best friend for a king and that earns them his ear. And unlike the wisdom his father possessed, Rehoboam makes a foolish decision and listens to folly from his friends. As a result, the kingdom of Israel will become divided and remain that way for over 400 years. The power of the company we keep and the advice we entertain from them can alter and transform our lives in untold ways. What company are you keeping today? Are you running with fools or are you living within the wise counsel of Godly elders? Be careful in whom you allow access to your ear…and thus your heart. The wrong advice whispered into your life can have drastic results that are difficult to reverse. If you are truly looking for wise company, look to those that keep the wisest company of all…those that keep the daily company of Jesus Christ.
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20
“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33
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