Open Heavens Sunday July 21 2024 | Elders Are Wise

Sunday July 21 2024 |
Elders Are Wise

View previous Open Heavens here

READ:
Exodus 18:13-24 (KJV)

MEMORISE:

“With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.” – (Job 12:12)

MESSAGE:

If you have elders around you, you have rare wisdom around you, and you should learn from their wealth of wisdom. There are certain things that elders know that Google, as vast as it is, does not know. The elders have some alternative treatments for sicknesses and diseases that modern science has not caught up with yet. There are some experiences that they have when it comes to relating with other people that you cannot learn in any book or university. If you take care of your elders and learn from them, there is a lot you will know and have as an advantage over your peers. In Yorubaland, when we see a child behaving wisely, we call him or her Omo Agba meaning the child of an elder, because we know straight away that he or she must have learnt a lot from an elderly person.

With all of Moses’ education in Egypt, the greatest nation in those days, his father-in-law, Jethro, was the one who taught him a valuable lesson about delegation. Moses got the best leadership education in the world and thought he was a good leader until he was exposed to an elder’s wisdom. Jethro’s counsel showed him that he was not that wise after all. You may think you are wise because you are educated and have the internet at your fingertips, but if you listen to the elders, you will discover a lot of truth that will really help you in life.

When an elder advises you, take that advice dearly because what you do with it could be the difference between success and failure. In (1 Kings 12:6), King Rehoboam met with elders on how to rule the people. They gave him advice which was filled with wisdom. However, he went to meet his younger friends for advice, and because theirs seemed more exciting, he pushed aside the advice of the elders. Rehoboam’s actions caused a civil war, and he lost the kingdom of Israel, as we see in verses 18 and 19:

Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.

Never despise the advice of godly elders

ACTION POINT:

Write a list of godly elders that you have around you, and start taking care of them and spending time with them from now. You will learn a lot from them before they go to be with the Lord.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 29-31

HYMN:
What a friend we have in
Jesus

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear:
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in praye.
2. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discourage
   Take it to the Lord in prayer,
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness,
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Saviour, still our refuge,
   Take it to the Lord in prayer,
   Do your friends despise, forsake you?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   In His arms He’l take and shield you,
   You will find a solace there.