Wrinkled and worn, often forgotten, and counted as no longer useful, the older generation is pushed aside for what is younger, shinier, and vibrant. Awhile back I had a young adult couple approach me and said, “We want someone our age teaching us, not an older person.” The request was not for someone wiser or experienced but merely based on age, a younger teacher.
When the older generation is discarded, wisdom leaves and folly arrives. When the older generation is disrespected, sin arrives at the door. When the older generation is looked down upon, fools walk in.
Solomon’s son made a grave mistake in not heeding the counsel of the old men that served his father. Instead, he took the advice of the young men he grew up with and the results were devastating. Israel was weakened because the nation was divided.
The old will not look as vibrant as the young. Faded around the edges, yet still they hold a wealth of wisdom, not just knowing but how to apply the knowledge. So, take time to listen to your parents and elders. It will help you avoid a lot of heartache and pain if you learn from their wisdom.
Proverbs 23:22 KJV “Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.”
1 Kings 11:43-12:1; 12:6 KJV “11:43 And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.12:1 ¶ And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.12:6 And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?”
1 Kings 12:8 KJV “But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:”
1 Kings 12:13-16 KJV “12:13 And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him;12:14 And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.12:15 Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.12:16 ¶ So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.”
