OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: SUNDAY JULY 21ST 2024
THEME: ELDERS ARE WISE
MEMORISE: With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of day is understanding. Job 12:12
READ: Exodus 18:13-24
13 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.
14 And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?
15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:
16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.
17 And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.
19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.
24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.
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
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 27: 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!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
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 Savior, 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'll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
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