Bible Reading Blog
“The Power of Influence”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: 2 Chronicles 10
Rehoboam was in a perfect position to take over Israel and rule well. It was expected that he would become king, and the people acknowledge this by gathering for his coronation (2 Chronicles 10.1). However, the people had an issue with the taxes his father imposed on them (10.3-4). They approached him reasonably and Rehoboam wisely took pause to consider what he should do (10.5). He even took counsel with the old men who had stood before Solomon his father (10.6). This was shaping up to be an object lesson in conflict resolution.
But then Rehoboam made a choice that no one saw coming. He rejected the counsel of the old men and instead decided to listen to the friends he grew up with (2 Chronicles 10.8, 13). The bible goes out of its way to make sure we understand how completely Rehoboam rejected the older wisdom to listen to his friends. As he addressed the people, his words are almost identical to the counsel of his friends (10.10-11, 14), and the result was devastating. The people reject Rehoboam’s leadership and rebel against him, leading the nation into immediate war (10.16-19).
Think seriously about how foolish this choice truly was. He had people who cared about his success AND the success of the kingdom AND were wanting to help him. But he chose to listen to his friends who wanted nothing more than to assert power. Why? It’s because he valued his friends the most and he wanted to please them. Because of his relationship with these young men, their advice prevailed over those who had more experience, wisdom and concern for good. This, my friends, is the power of influence, and why it matters who your friends are. In the moment, right and wrong wasn’t clear, and was the influence of Rehoboam’s friends that clouded his judgment. This tends to be how relationships work. We value the opinions of those we spend time with and trust; so much so that it can distort reality.
But simply listening to them wasn’t the problem. Their ideas were divisive and foolish. Their counsel was not rooted in anything except pride and personal agendas. This is a shallow way of thinking that the sober-minded person can discern. But how often are people swayed because they don’t know or value righteousness and wisdom?
Given a second chance, Rehoboam would probably have made a different choice. But that’s because hindsight is 20/20. This story is given for our instruction so that we might learn to be wise in the moment. You might not think the influence of others greatly affects your life and your choices; but both secular and biblical wisdom teaches us otherwise. Simply put, Paul would say, “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15.33). If we want to walk with God, we must choose to walk with the wise (Proverbs 16.20).
