How High is Your Horse? (Lesson 1)

A look at pride and how to avoid its consequences.

1 Kings 12:12-15 NASB Then Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day as the king had directed, saying, "Return to me on the third day."  (13)  The king answered the people harshly, for he forsook the advice of the elders which they had given him, (14) and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions."  (15)  So the king did not listen to the people; for it was a turn of events from the LORD, that He might establish His word, which the LORD spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

Rehoboam, son of Solomon is now King.  Because of his father’s reign, the people are suffering with high taxes.  They have come to Rehoboam to ask that he give them relief. 

Don’t be too proud to listen to your elders.  Rehoboam rejected the advice from the Elders.  They told him to position himself as a servant leader.  What does the bible about our elders? 

Proverbs 16:31 NASB A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.

Proverbs 11:14 NASB Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory. 

Rehoboam turned to his friends for advice.  They told him to be tough and show them who is boss.  That is the advice he chose.

Don’t be too proud to listen to those under your authority.  One of the marks of a great leader is to be willing to listen to those under you.  Parents need to listen to their children.  Coaches need to listen to the players.  Pastors need to listen to their congregations.  Bosses need to listen to their employees.

Power has a way to produce pride that tends to stop up our ears.