Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Non-Listeners


2 Chronicles 11:4
'This is what the LORD says: Do not go up to fight against your brothers. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.'" So they obeyed the words of the LORD and turned back from marching against Jeroboam.

Short attention span or selective hearing? I want to believe the first one applies to my toddlers. It sounds more developmental. But the second one? Although behavioral psychology said it’s still part of the natural, the parent-in-me can’t help but consider it disobedience, even defiance. Because it hurts being ignored. Insulting too. Sometimes I resort to punishment, but it all the more proved their innate unwillingness to listen. So like adults actually. They do what they want to do and don’t want to be told. They shut down their faculties at the sight of everything un-fun.  I can’t give in nor give up of course.  I have to stand my ground. But I won’t deny I need to work on my listening skills as well :>

Rehoboam’s downfall was likewise because he failed to listen. His people came to him seeking for a lighter load than that of his father Solomon, but he angered them more. Instead of heeding the elders’ advice and show them kindness, he chose his peers’ loud voice to appear fearsome. Well, he did scare them off. Enough to decide he wasn’t the king they wanted. And enough to divide the kingdom. But what is interesting is that this non-listener, in just a few verses down, was said to be all-ears and compliant to the voice of God. He was already mustering his one hundred and eighty thousand fighting men to war against those rebels when God sent Shemaiah to stop him from going against their brothers. And he obeyed. He actually listened.

I’m sure you have your share of disappointments over those who can’t and won’t listen. Part of that list are those who were just hopping for advice ‘til they meet that one matching their preferences. More than being ignored, it hurts seeing them reject wisdom altogether. But our hope is in the truth that when God makes His stand, no hard hearts nor deaf ears will dare defy. Not even Pharaoh, or the prophet Jonah, or this King Rehoboam. No one. So let’s be patient. Their unresponsiveness is still within the bounds of God’s control. And keep praying. For them, and for ourselves. We do need to hear from God for our next move right?
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1 comment:

  1. AnonymousMay 23, 2012 at 11:03 AM

    It would also humble us to be reminded, when getting impatient with people who won't listen, that we ourselves are inclined to disobedience, and that apart from grace we would not have the ability to listen to and obey the Spirit's prodding! :-)

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Non-Listeners


2 Chronicles 11:4
'This is what the LORD says: Do not go up to fight against your brothers. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.'" So they obeyed the words of the LORD and turned back from marching against Jeroboam.

Short attention span or selective hearing? I want to believe the first one applies to my toddlers. It sounds more developmental. But the second one? Although behavioral psychology said it’s still part of the natural, the parent-in-me can’t help but consider it disobedience, even defiance. Because it hurts being ignored. Insulting too. Sometimes I resort to punishment, but it all the more proved their innate unwillingness to listen. So like adults actually. They do what they want to do and don’t want to be told. They shut down their faculties at the sight of everything un-fun.  I can’t give in nor give up of course.  I have to stand my ground. But I won’t deny I need to work on my listening skills as well :>

Rehoboam’s downfall was likewise because he failed to listen. His people came to him seeking for a lighter load than that of his father Solomon, but he angered them more. Instead of heeding the elders’ advice and show them kindness, he chose his peers’ loud voice to appear fearsome. Well, he did scare them off. Enough to decide he wasn’t the king they wanted. And enough to divide the kingdom. But what is interesting is that this non-listener, in just a few verses down, was said to be all-ears and compliant to the voice of God. He was already mustering his one hundred and eighty thousand fighting men to war against those rebels when God sent Shemaiah to stop him from going against their brothers. And he obeyed. He actually listened.

I’m sure you have your share of disappointments over those who can’t and won’t listen. Part of that list are those who were just hopping for advice ‘til they meet that one matching their preferences. More than being ignored, it hurts seeing them reject wisdom altogether. But our hope is in the truth that when God makes His stand, no hard hearts nor deaf ears will dare defy. Not even Pharaoh, or the prophet Jonah, or this King Rehoboam. No one. So let’s be patient. Their unresponsiveness is still within the bounds of God’s control. And keep praying. For them, and for ourselves. We do need to hear from God for our next move right?