Civil Government: Magistracy, Authority, and Romans 13: Christian & Civil Government

Shall We Listen to our Founding Fathers?

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Civil Government

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2011-01-16

Synopsis: John Weaver contrasts the counsel of old men and young men in 1 Kings 12, where Rehoboam rejects the servant-leadership advice of the elders and follows the tyrannical counsel of his peers, leading to the division of Israel. He applies this to modern America, arguing that the biblical, servant-oriented principles of the Founding Fathers are being abandoned by contemporary politicians who embrace humanistic, despotic governance. The sermon urges a return to the 'old paths' of God's law and the wisdom of the aged.

[John Weaver] Let's open our Bible's day to First Kings chapter 12. First Kings chapter 12. First Kings chapter 12, and we're going to be reading verses 1 through 17. The title of the message today is, shall we listen to the old man or to the young man? Now I have a subtitle and it is this, shall we listen to our founding fathers or our modern day politicians? So, you will understand. Shall we listen to our founding fathers or our modern day politicians? 1 Kings 12, beginning with verse 1, And Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.

[John Weaver] Came to pass with Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, for he was fled from the presence of King Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt, that they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous. Now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us lighter, and we will serve thee. And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, and come again to me. And the people departed. And King Rehoboam consulted with the old men that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do you advise that I may answer this people? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. 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.

[John Weaver] And he said unto them, What counsel give you that we may answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? And the young men that were growing up with him, spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter in dust. Thus shalt thou say to them, My little finger shall be thicker than thy father's loins. And now, whereas my father did laid you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him, 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.

[John Weaver] My father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. Wherefore, the king Harker nodded to the people, For the cause was from the Lord, that he might perform his saying, which the Lord spake by Hijah the Shillanite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 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 seated by an own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. but as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them."

[John Weaver] It is true that wisdom comes with age. Each one of us can see the errors and the mistakes and the sins of his youth. And I can assure you that if the Lord allowed us to relive our lives all over again with the wisdom and knowledge and understanding that we have now, We would live our lives a whole lot differently than we did. It's amazing that young people are headstrong, self-willed and determined. And unhappily, they act just the way we did when we were young. Now, if you don't believe that young people are headstrong, self-willed and determined. You just try convincing your teenage children that you know what's best for them. They usually act the same way that. We acted when we were children. While it is true that wisdom comes with age.

[John Weaver] That does not mean that all were wise or that. Older people are always wise. I know of some older men who've acted stupidly, wickedly and rebelliously by forsaking the wife of their youth and marrying a much younger woman. It's never dawned upon them to ask themselves, why a 20-year-old woman would want a 65-year-old man? They probably hate to admit it, but the reason the 20-year-old woman wants a 65-year-old man is probably for what he's accumulated over the years and not for his manliness. So old men are not always wise.

[John Weaver] Sometimes they act very foolish. and very stupidly. If you would hold 1 Kings chapter 12, but look in your Bibles to the book of Job 32, and I want you to see what Elihu said, beginning there with verse 5. Elihu is trying to straighten out some of the old men as well as Job. And in Job 32, beginning there with verse 5, Elihu says this, Job 32 and verse 5. And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled. And Elihu, the son of Barakel, the Buzite, answered and said, I am young, and you are very old.

[John Weaver] Wherefore, I was afraid, and durst not show you mine opinion. I said, Danes should speak, and multitudes of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man, and inspiration of the Almighty giveth him understanding. Great men are not always wise, neither do the aged understand judgment. So great men, he says, are not always wise. Elihu said, I was afraid to answer at first because I said that they should speak and multitudes of years should teach wisdom, but you three men have nothing. And so he said, I'm going to teach you.

[John Weaver] Now, although there are exceptions to this principle and to this truth, I believe the principle still remains sound that wisdom comes with age. It certainly was true in regard to the old men during Rehoboam's time. Old men down through the years have experienced many trials and tribulations and therefore they have experienced so many things they are able and willing to share their knowledge in. Let me just read to you from the book of Joel chapter 1 verses 1 through 3, listen carefully, the word of the Lord that came to Joel, the son of Pethuel. Hear this, you old men, and give ear, all you inhabitants of the land.

[John Weaver] Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers? Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children and their children to another generation.

[John Weaver] Now, in the context God is speaking about judgment, And God said, hear you this, you old men. You tell your children, and you tell your children's children, and you let them tell the children of another generation what you have gone through, what you have experienced, and what you know. You see, old men are admonished to share their knowledge, and especially their knowledge when it comes to enduring the judgment of God. Old men are always willing to share, especially with their children and grandchildren, Provided they can find some that will listen.

[John Weaver] The Book of Proverbs Chapter 17 in verse 6 says this. Children's children are the crown of old men. And the glory of children are their fathers. Children's children are the crown of old men. And that's true. You just have to understand When you get grandchildren, you understand that they are indeed the crown of all men. One of our leading problems that we are experiencing in our society, in our families, in our churches, is there is a lack of respect for the knowledge and the authority and wisdom of the aged. I want you to look in your Bible to the book of Leviticus chapter 19 verse 32. We're coming back to 1 Kings 12, but I'm just trying to give you a little introduction, and I want you to look how God summarizes this truth. Leviticus 19, and look if you would please at verse 32. God says it like this. Leviticus 19, verse 32. God says, Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God, I am the Lord.

[John Weaver] thou shalt rise up before the whorehead." That is, there is to be respect, there is to be recognition, and honor the face of the old man and fear thy God, I am the Lord. One of the leading reasons to honor and respect the elderly is simply because God commanded it. Moreover, God has tied respect for the aged and respect and recognition of the age to his honor and his glory.

[John Weaver] Look at it again in verse 32. Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head and honor the face of the old man. Watch and fear thy God. I am the Lord. In other words, if you fear God, you will indeed rise up before the hoary head and honor the face of the old man. If you don't fear God, then you will not do those things. So God is tied in recognition an honor of the aged and the elderly and the old people with fearing the Lord. Now there's another reason given to us in Proverbs 16 in verse 31 why we are indeed to honor the aged and the Bible says there the hoary head is the crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness. The hoary head or the gray head is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness.

[John Weaver] So age is one thing. Age with godliness and righteousness is quite another thing. In other words, God is saying that double honor is to be given to an aged individual that has been holy and godly and righteous all of their lives. You see, the Bible says in Proverbs 20 and verse 29, the glory of the young man is his strength. And the beauty of old men is the gray head. One of the things that makes old men beautiful is the wisdom that comes with age. The gray head, listen carefully, or the gray beard, is a sign of age and wisdom. The interesting thing is this, the word age in the Hebrew In Proverbs 20 and verse 29 is the word zakin, which literally means a bearded one. That's what it means, a bearded one.

[John Weaver] So actually, you could read it like this. The glory of young men is the strength and the beauty of old men is the hanging gray from the chin. Isn't that interesting? Do you realize? We have old sayings that we've never really thought about. But do you remember when you were a child, you were told you should listen to your elders? Why should you listen to your elders?

[John Weaver] Because of the wisdom and the knowledge that they have attained over the years. How about this one? Children should be seen and not heard. You know what that means? It means children should sit still and sit quietly and listen to their elders as their elders are discussing things so that they may learn to avoid a lot of mistakes of the old folks made. And a lot of the sins of the old folks made as well.

[John Weaver] Do you realize that one of the qualifications for an elder, for a pastor, in 1 Timothy chapter 3 and verse 6 is this, not a novice, lest, being lifted up with pride, he fall in the condemnation of the devil. Now a novice is a newly planted one, or a neophyte, or one recently converted. In other words, he has not had time to mature or become a bearded one in the faith. Thus he does not qualify as an elder.

[John Weaver] Unhappily, we are not born wise. Neither is wisdom conveyed in our genes. One can have a wise father himself and yet be utterly foolish. It's interesting that some of the godliest kings of Judah had some of the most stupid and foolish and wicked sons. I want to give you two comments by Adam Clark and by Matthew Henry on Rehoboam. Remember Solomon was his father, and Solomon was one of the wisest men that ever lived. Adam Clarke says this, Rehoboam was probably the only son of Solomon, for although he had a thousand wives, he had not the blessing of numerous offspring, and although he was the wisest of men himself, his son was a poor, unprincipled fool.

[John Weaver] Had Solomon kept himself within reasonable bounds and matrimonial affairs, he would have probably had more children, and such would have had common sense enough to discern the delicacy of their situation and rule according to reason and religion. Matthew Henry said it like this. Solomon had a thousand wives and concubines, yet we read but of one son he had to bear his name, and he was a fool.

[John Weaver] It is said in Hosea 4.10, they shall commit whoredom and shall not increase. Sin is a bad way of building up a family. Rehoboam was the son of the wisest of men, yet he did not inherit his father's wisdom. And then it stood him in little stead to inherit his father's throne. Neither wisdom nor grace runs in the blood. Solomon came to the crown very young. Yet he was then a wise man. Rehoboam came to the crown at 40 years old when a man will be wise if he ever will. Yet he was then foolish. Wisdom does not go by age, nor is it in the multitude of years, nor the advantage of education that reaches it. Solomon's court was a march of wisdom and the rendezvous of learned men. And Rehoboam was the darling of that court. And yet all was not sufficient to make him a wise man. the races, not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. And that's certainly true. One other little quote, and I want you to turn back, if you would, to 1 Kings chapter 12, because we're going to be looking at the situation when Rehoboam succeeded his father Solomon to the throne.

[John Weaver] And Jameis and Fawcett Brown, in their commentary, said this concerning the situation. The incident here related took place after the funeral of the late king and the time for public mourning had passed, that is, after Solomon had died. When all Israel came to make him Rehoboam king, it was not to exercise their old right of election, For after God's promise of the perpetual sovereignty of David's posterity, their duty was submission to the authority of the rightful heir. But their object was, when making him king, to renew the conditions and stipulations to which their constitutional kings were subject, to the omission of such rehearsing which, under the peculiar circumstances in which Solomon was made king, they were disposed to ascribe the absolutism of his government.

[John Weaver] In other words, what they're saying is this. Although Rehoboam succeeded Solomon as Solomon followed David, that did not mean that these kings could just simply do as they pleased. Because these kings had a constitutional obligation, a covenantal obligation to the people. So Rehoboam then was appointed king by his father Solomon, but that did not mean that Rehoboam could rule apart from the covenant. Covenants were made with each king as well as covenants with the Lord. In 2 Kings 11 verse 17, let me just read it, because here the high priest Jehoiada is making a covenant not only with the Lord, but with the king and the people as well. The Bible says that Johanna made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people that they should be the Lord's people between the king also and the people. So here are two covenants. The first one was between the king, the Lord, and the people. In that covenant, the king agreed to be the Lord's king and the people agreed to be the Lord's people.

[John Weaver] Now the second covenant was between the king and the people. In that covenant, the king agreed to rule faithfully, and the people agreed to obey him as long as he did. And so even when David was chosen to be king, and God chose David to be king, but God did not make David king without the will and recognition of the people. Because the Bible says in 2 Samuel chapter 5 and verse 3, So all the elders of Israel came to the king, to Hebron, And David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. Now the interesting thing is this, that the word league that you find in 2 Samuel 5 and verse 3, in 2 Chronicles 11 and verse 3, it is translated as covenant. So David made a covenant with the elders of Israel. In other words, those kings understood, although God had chosen them, God had appointed them, they were still to rule by covenant. Now, it is true that oftentimes kings violated that covenant, but it was the duty and responsibility of the people to remind each king of that covenant and to remind them that they were ruling by the consent and the agreement of the governed.

[John Weaver] And when you come to 1st Kings chapter 12, Israel is not challenging the succession of Rehoboam to the throne. They're saying, yes, you are the son of Solomon. Yes, the throne is yours, but here's the covenant and here's some problems that we're having and we want you to address these problems. Now, I want you to look in 1st Kings chapter 12, verse 1. This is interesting. And Rehoboam went to where? Shechem. For all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. My question is this. Why did Rehoboam go to Shechem?

[John Weaver] Was not Jerusalem the capital? Was not Jerusalem the city of David? You see, Jerusalem's in the Southern Kingdom. He is now dealing with the Northern Kingdom. And the people of the Northern Kingdom says we're not going to the capital of the Southern Kingdom. If you want to rule over us, you come to our city. You listen to our grievances. You listen to our stipulations. And the interesting thing is, if you'll skip down to verse 18, I'll cover it a little bit later.

[John Weaver] When everything went wrong for Rehoboam, look what happened. Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute, and all Israel stole him with stones, and he died. Therefore, King Rehoboam made speed to get him up into his chariot and to flee to Jerusalem. He was getting out of danger, but he was heading back to Jerusalem. I want you to note, so Rehoboam now comes to Shechem to be made king. And if you will skip down to verse 2 and 3, and it came to pass when Jeroboam the son of Nebat was yet in Egypt, heard of it, for he was fled from the presence of King Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt, that they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Now, I want you to note that Jeroboam is down in Egypt. Why did they sin for Jeroboam? Well, the interesting thing is, God had already told Jeroboam that he was going to be king. He told him that by Ahijah the Shillinite.

[John Weaver] Look in 1 Kings 11 and let's begin reading there verse 29. Watch carefully. 1 Kings 11 verse 29. And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem that the prophet Ahijah the Shillinite found him in the way and he had clad himself with a new garment and they two were alone in the field. And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him and rented in twelve pieces. And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces. For thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee. But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, because They have forsaken me and have worshipped Ashtaroth, the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh, the god of the Moabites, Milcom, the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father."

[John Weaver] Note, if you would, he's already given now ten tribes to Jeroboam. Now, notice they sent and called him out of Egypt. So you have to ask yourself, why was he down in Egypt? Well, skip down to verse 40. You'll find out why he was in Egypt. Solomon sought, therefore, to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose and fled into Egypt, and the Shyshach king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon. So Solomon then knew about the prophecy. And Solomon, in order to prevent this, was seeking to murder Jeroboam, and so Jeroboam flees into Egypt. So, when you look in 1 Kings chapter 12 at verses 2 and 3, what the people of Israel have done is they have summoned Jeroboam out of Egypt and they bring him back in order that he might be their spokesman. Now, I find it interesting that when they speak to Rehoboam, they say this, Skip down, if you would, to verse 4. They say, Thy father made our yoke grievous. Now therefore, make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he hath put upon us lighter, and we will serve thee.

[John Weaver] Interestingly, the Israelites complained only about the taxes, the burdens, and the heavy yoke that was laid upon them by Solomon. I want you to note They did not complain about the idolatry that caused the problems. If you'll go back in your Bibles, I want you to look at I Kings chapter 11 again and verse 33. Here was the root of all the problems. What Israel was doing was trying to deal with the symptom and not the root cause.

[John Weaver] For God says in verse 33,"...because that they have forsaken Me, and have worshipped Asherah the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in My ways to do that which is right in Mine eyes, and to keep My statutes and My judgments, as did David his father." So very obviously, the cause of all the burdens and the taxes was the idolatry, which produced tyranny, despotism. So they're not complaining about the idolatry. They're complaining about the taxes and the burdens. In other words, they're complaining about the septums and not the cause.

[John Weaver] But at least Rehoboam is being confronted by the people. They said, It's unbearable. It's insufferable. We cannot live under this. You have to make everything lighter and easier. Well, the only wise thing that Rehoboam ever did is found in verse 5. He says, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed. The only wise thing he did is give me time to think about this. Give me time. to receive some counsel. Now, what I want to do today is I want to examine the counsel that was given to Rehoboam by both the old man and the young man. I think you see clearly that the old way is better than the new way and that the old man had far more wisdom than the young man. Let me give you a verse. You need to memorize this verse or at least write it down. I will quote it again before I close, but it's Jeremiah 6 and verse 16. Jeremiah 6 and verse 16. Listen carefully. Thus saith the Lord, stand you in the ways and see and ask for the old paths.

[John Weaver] wherein is the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls." But they said, we will not walk therein. It is usually the old men that remember the old ways. and long for the old ways. The young men in the new generation have no desire to remain in the old ways. Before I get started, I want you to turn back to the book of Judges. Look in Judges chapter 2 if you would. And I'm going to point out that what happened in Israel basically is what happened in Judges chapter 2. What has happened in America It's basically what has happened in 1 Kings 12 and in Judges chapter 2. Watch carefully. Judges chapter 2 and verse 10. And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers.

[John Weaver] That is Joshua and all of those people who had led in the fight in Canaan and dividing the land. And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers, and there arose another generation after them, who knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which He had done for Israel." So the new generation is equal to another generation. And that's basically what we have in this country. I've said this before. I really believe that my generation Was the last one.

[John Weaver] To enjoy just a little tiny bit of liberty and freedom. And. Basically, the good times and the good things of our life, because since I was a child, everything has gone downhill like a sled on snow with greased runners. I want you to see the differences between the counsel of the old men and the counsel of the young men. And that main difference is of vast importance. The old men, listen carefully, I'm going to tell you before I get started, the old men viewed civil government and the civil ruler as the servant and slave of the people. The young men viewed the people as a servant and slave of the civil government and the civil ruler.

[John Weaver] Let me say it another way. The view and the counsel of the old man was the biblical view. The view and the counsel of the young man was humanistic and tyrannical. So let's look, first of all, at the counsel of the old man. You'll find it in verses six and seven. And King Rehoboam consulted with the old man that stood before Solomon, his father, while he yet lived, and said, How do you advise that I may answer this people? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servant for ever. So the counsel of the old men to King Rehoboam was that he was to be a servant to the people.

[John Weaver] The word servant in the Hebrew is the word ebed, which literally means a slave, a bond slave, a manservant. So the old men then were counseling the king The highest civil ruler in the land, the man who claimed to have all the authority and the power that he needed, they were counseling him to become a slave and a servant to the people. Their understanding of the role of the civil ruler was that he was there to serve the people and not himself. I want you to understand that the idea of a public servant is a biblical idea.

[John Weaver] Perhaps that is why that designation is so hated and despised today. But it was the counsel of the old men for the king then to become a servant or slave to the people.

[John Weaver] Now, I want to emphasize something to you. Do you realize the way to serve the Lord is by serving his people? What can you give the Lord? What can you do for the Lord? He's sovereign. He owns everything. He created everything. He has everything. You know what the Bible says in Hebrews chapter 6 and verse 10? Listen. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love which you have showed toward His name in that you have ministered to the saints and do minister. God is not unrighteous to forsake your work and your labor of love, which you showed toward his name in that. Here's how you did it in ministering to the people of God. Do you remember what our Lord said in Matthew 25 and verse 40?

[John Weaver] He said, Barely, I say to you, inasmuch as you've done it unto one of the least of these, you've done it unto me. So the way to serve him. Is by serving his people. Why did God ordain the civil ruler or civil government to begin with? God ordained civil ruler to be a servant, His servant. And the civil ruler serves God by serving His people and by obeying God's law. That's why the Bible says in Romans 13, For he, the civil ruler, is the minister of God to thee for good.

[John Weaver] But if thou do evil, Be afraid. Why? For he bare not the sword in vain, for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. I've told you repeatedly that the word servant, or minister there, is the word dekanos, that's where we get our English word deacon, and it literally means servant. So he says, for he is the deacon of God, or he is the servant of God. He says that twice in verse 4.

[John Weaver] But you were going to object and you say, but come on, Romans chapter 13 wasn't written back then. No, it wasn't. But the same truth is revealed in the Old Testament. Go back in your Bibles to First Kings chapter 11 and look at verses 37 and 38. I want you to see what God told Jeroboam. God's already told him you're going to get 10 tribes. Watch it. First Kings 11 verses 37 and 38. God said, and I will take thee, that is Jeroboam, I will take thee and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth and shalt be king over Israel. And it shall be, look what God said, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and will walk in my ways, and do that which is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did, then I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and I will give Israel unto thee." What? What did God tell Jeroboam?

[John Weaver] If you will do what is right, If you will obey me, if you will submit yourself to me and serve me, obey my law and serve my people, I will build you a sure house. He told that to Jeroboam. By the way. The first thing Jeroboam son of Nebat did after he got to be king was to apostatize and make two golden calves. I want you to look in your Bibles to 2 Samuel 23.

[John Weaver] This is one of my favorite passages. This passage is just not only important, but it is so clear there is no way in the world that anyone can misunderstand what David is saying. And I want you to note how many times David claims direct inspiration for this saying. Look in 2 Samuel 23, and let's begin reading there with verse 1. Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of God, of Jacob.

[John Weaver] And the sweet psalmist of Israel said, now watch, the Spirit of the Lord spake by me. That's one time. His word was in my tongue, that's twice. The God of Israel said, that's three times. The rock of Israel spake to me, that's four times. Four times David claims direct inspiration for this one simple sentence. He that rules over men must be just ruling in the fear of God. Isn't that amazing? Since you're in 2 Samuel, Go back to 2 Samuel chapter 5 and let me show you how David understood this. Look in 2 Samuel chapter 5 and verse 12. 2 Samuel chapter 5 verse 12. And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people, Israel's sake. Why did God establish David king? Why did God establish his kingdom? And the answer is, for his people, Israel's sake. It was not for David's sake. It was for the people's sake. God did not establish civil government for the rulers to lord it over the people and tyrannize them, but God established civil government for the benefit of the people.

[John Weaver] It's much like the relationship that exists between a pastor and the church. Are you listening? Pastors are given to the church. The church is not given to the pastor to lord it over. and to become a despot and a tyrant. Here it is, 1 Peter 5, verses 2 and 3. Let me quote it. Listen carefully. God told the preachers, feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind, neither as being lords over God's heritage, but by being examples to the flock. How is a pastor to lead the church? Not only through the Word of God, but by example. By teaching and by example.

[John Weaver] I don't come in here and say, you will do this or else. No. That would be tyranny. And tyranny in the church is just as bad as tyranny in civil government. I don't come up to Alice and say, You will do it, girl.

[John Weaver] Now, she normally does what I ask. But she knows that I love her and I want to rule in love, not by force. It's the same principle. God established David king and exalted his kingdom for his people, Israel's sake.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to look again in your Bibles to 1 Kings chapter 12. And look at verse 7. Watch carefully. 1 Kings 12, verse 7. Here's the counsel of the old man. And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a slave unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, be a bondservant to them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants forever. Now guess what? The word servants. Is the same Hebrew word that is translated servant? It is the word he bid now watch. Let's go back and read it again and they stake in him saying if that will be a slave under this people this day and will serve them and answer them and speak good words for them, then they will be by slaves. Forever. So the old men counseled the king to become a slave or a servant to the people, and in return he said, as you serve them, the people will become a servant and a slave to you.

[John Weaver] In other words, the ruler and the ruled would each develop a servant's heart. Thus, as government serves the people, By obeying God's law and seeking their liberty and their freedom, the people then will seek to establish that civil ruler and that type of civil government because it blesses them and serves them and benefits them. So the counsel of the old men is you serve them, they'll serve you.

[John Weaver] You do what's right and they're going to do what's right. Very quickly, look at the counsel of the young men. And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us. Thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. Now whereas my father did laid you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke My father has chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to notice what they advised and counseled him to answer. My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.

[John Weaver] Now, just think of the thigh. My little finger is going to be thicker than my father's thigh. Where he laid you heavy with yoke, I'm going to add to it. He may have beat you with whips, I'm going to beat you with scorpions. This proverbial expression, my little finger shall be thicker than my father's thigh, expresses the fact that Rehoboam was saying that my power and my authority is going to so far exceed what my father did to you, you won't believe what I'm going to do to you. I'm going to employ every bit of my power to make sure you do exactly what I say to you.

[John Weaver] So the answer that the young men gave is the answer of force, tyranny, and despotism. In other words, Rehoboam was saying to the people, I have the power. I have the authority. I'm going to make you know it. I'm going to make you feel it. I'm going to make you sense it. I'm going to make you suffer under it. And there's not one thing you can do about it. Rehoboam was proud, arrogant, and stupid.

[John Weaver] Much like modern day politicians. His attitude was, I have as much and more absolute power over you and your persons and your goods that my father ever had, and I can force you to do my will. The counsel of the young man was rash, it was humanistic, it was tyrannical, as well as unbiblical. Let me make one statement. God has never ordained a tyrannical form of government.

[John Weaver] All you have to do is read Romans 13. Read 1 Peter 2. God has never ordained a tyrannical, despotic form of government. That is not God's government. God has only ordained a government that is going to be obedient to Him. That's what He said in Romans 13. It will be His servant and it will serve His people. Well, Rehoboam of course, followed the young men's counsel and the young men's advice.

[John Weaver] And when he sought to apply his usurped authority, he was in for a surprise. Let's skip down to verse 16. So when all Israel saw that the king Harkin nodded to 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 in their tents.

[John Weaver] In other words, they separated. They said, you think you're going to force us. You think you're going to rule over us. You think your little finger is going to be thicker than your father's. You just think that. We don't need you. We don't want you. Watch verse 17. But as for the children of Israel, which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. Yeah, they didn't leave. Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram.

[John Weaver] who was over the tribute, the tax collector. He sent the official royal tax collector. He was going to force Israel to pay his taxes. 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. Isn't that amazing? They knew how to take care of the tax collector when the tax collector was coming from a tyrant. I hope you know that even the war of northern aggression had an aspect of taxes and Lincoln was going to try to collect those taxes even in lawfully seceded states. Inevitably, invariably, each tyrant will learn his lesson and meet his demise.

[John Weaver] God has not given his people over to be slandered, sheared, and slain. You remember what he said in Zechariah 2 in verse 8, He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of my eye. It's the younger generation, or scripture says it's another generation, that has arisen and does not know or understand the biblical principles of government, neither do they possess a biblical worldview. The average young person today, the average young person, the average educated young person, has a humanistic worldview and is humanistic to the core. They do not understand biblical principles. They do not understand biblical law.

[John Weaver] Some of you may have seen this. This was I know on the internet, probably on TV. I don't watch TV hardly, so I don't know if it's on TV or not, but I know it's all over the internet. But recently, one such young man who was a liberal, he's reported to be a star blogger or whatever that is. A star blogger, Ezra Klein, stated, I heard him with my own ears, I saw him, he said that the Constitution, talking about the United States Constitution, the Constitution has no binding power on anything and it is confusing because it's over 100 years old. It's amazing how much nonsense and stupidity is easily and clearly and quickly revealed by liberals. What Klein and those like him meant by that is this. We don't like the view that the Founding Fathers had in mind when they established the Constitution.

[John Weaver] What we want to do is change everything according to our plans and what we think. That's what they mean. The Constitution is not confusing. The problem is no one reads it or heeds it or obeys it. You know when they read the Constitution in Congress the other day? That was probably the first time many of them had ever heard it read or even even seen it. And some of those that participated in the reading it and the reading of it.

[John Weaver] We're so smirky and so Their whole attitude is, we don't need this. Wow. Let me try to give you just one quick illustration. And I'm going to ask the question, shall we listen to the old men or shall we listen to the young men? Or I'm going to ask it like this, shall we listen to our founding fathers Or shall we listen to modern-day politicians? I'm going to give you just one example. The example I'm going to take is the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Let me just read to you the Second Amendment. Here it is.

[John Weaver] A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Now what I want to do is this. I'm going to give you a quote by some of the old men or the founding fathers. Then I'm going to give you a quote by some of the new men or young men or the modern day politicians. And I want to just compare the attitude, the knowledge, and the wisdom between the old men and the young men. Okay, then we'll close with a few choice quotes from some of the founding fathers.

[John Weaver] So we're talking about the Second Amendment. Again, the Second Amendment says a well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The first quote is from George Mason in 1788. He said, and I quote, to disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them. What is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials.

[John Weaver] Ah, here's the young man, Senator Barack Obama, 2008. Americans may own guns for the purpose of hunting and target shooting. There's an individual right to bear arms, but it's subject to common sense regulation. Here's Thomas Jefferson, 1776. No free man shall ever be debarred of the use of arms. Here's Senator Hillary Clinton, 2008. I would also work to reinstate the assault weapons ban. Noah Webster, 1787, before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed, as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword because the whole body of the people are armed. President Bill Clinton, 1997, said, and I quote, Assault weapons in the hands of civilians exist for no reason but to inspire fear and wreak deadly havoc on our streets. What? Sam Adams, 1788, said, The said Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceful citizens from keeping their own arms.

[John Weaver] And yet, Representative Carol McCarthy said, you want an assault rifle? Join the Army. Patrick Henry said, the militia is our ultimate safety. We can have no security without it. The great object is that every man be armed. And then the illustrious Senator Diana Feinstein said in 1993, Banning guns addresses a fundamental right of all Americans to feel safe. How stupid. William Pitt in 1783 said, Necessity is the plea of every infringement of human freedom.

[John Weaver] It is the argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves. And yet Senator Charles Schumer said, We're going to hammer guns on the anvil over relentless legislative strategy. We're going to beat guns into submission. And then the noted Representative Henry Waxman said, if someone is so fearful that they're going to start using their weapons to protect their rights, It makes me very nervous that these people have weapons at all.

[John Weaver] Well, why do you think our founding fathers gave us the right to keep and bear arms? Benjamin Franklin said, a nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is the region of ignorance that tyranny begins. Let me give you a few good quotes. This one, of course, is by John Trenchard, who died in 1723. He said, To avoid domestic tyranny, the people must be armed to stand upon their own defense, which if they are unable to do, they shall never be put upon it.

[John Weaver] But their swords may grow rusty in their hands, for that nation is surest to live in peace that is capable of making war, and a man that hath a sword by his side shall have at least occasion to make use of it. Noah Webster said, Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed, as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword, because the whole body of the people are armed and constitute a force superior to any body of regular troops that can be on any pretense raised in the United States.

[John Weaver] Like Joshua of old, as for me in my house, I prefer to listen to the counsel of the old men and not the young. If you listen to the counsel of the young men and the young politicians, You may never live to be an old man. I prefer the truth of God. And the truths that were set forth by our founding fathers, just a couple of quick applications, the first one is this. The way to rule. Is to serve. To do good. to stoop to become all things to all men, and so win their hearts. Those who sit the most safely in power and authority are those who serve with a genuine heart of a servant. Our Lord, who had the absolute power and absolute authority, said this, Behold, I am among you as one that serveth. The way to rule is to serve.

[John Weaver] The second application is this. The old ways, the old men, the old council are by far superior to the younger humanistic and idolatrous generation. God has set before us the way of life and the way of death. We have to choose which way we must walk. And I pray that we'll choose life. One more time, Jeremiah 6, verse 16, Thus saith the Lord, Stand you in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths wherein is the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls." But they said, we will not walk therein. If you refuse to walk in God's ways, you will find death and destruction. The old ways and the old counsel will lead you into life and happiness.

[John Weaver] Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee. We thank You for Your Word and for Your truth. Lord, I pray especially for our young people today, Lord, that You would help them to avoid the sins and the mistakes and the errors that their parents and grandparents made. Give them a willing heart and a listening heart and an obedient heart. Lord, those of us who are old, we need to hear and listen and be willing to learn and obey as well. I pray, Father, that you'd speak to your people in this country, Lord, that you would give us repentance and give us faith and give us obedience. And once again, restore our dominion And we do pray, Father, for the overthrow of tyranny and despotism and wickedness. And ask, Father, that Jesus Christ would be exalted and honored and glorified in our lives. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.

Shall We Listen to our Founding Fathers?

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	102162144107
Subject	Civil Government
Course	Civil Government: Magistracy, Authority, and Romans 13: Christian & Civil Government
Genre	Sermon
Date	2011-01-16
Dictation Name
Book	Book 008: Civil Government: Magistracy, Authority, and Romans 13 — Chapter 14
Source Timed Segments	73

Formatted Transcript

Introduction: The Question of Counsel

Weaver introduces the sermon's title and subtitle, framing the message around whether to listen to old men (founding fathers) or young men (modern politicians), using 1 Kings 12 as the foundational text.

Let's open our Bibles today to 1 Kings chapter 12. 1 Kings chapter 12. 1 Kings chapter 12, and we're going to be reading verses 1 through 17. The title of the message today is, "Shall We Listen to the Old Man or to the Young Man?" Now I have a subtitle and it is this: "Shall We Listen to Our Founding Fathers or Our Modern Day Politicians?" So, you will understand. Shall we listen to our founding fathers or our modern day politicians? 1 Kings 12, beginning with verse 1:

Scripture Reading — 1 Kings 12:1-17

"And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king."

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 12:1-17

The passage is read, recounting Rehoboam's succession, the people's request for lighter burdens, his consultation with old and young counselors, and his harsh response leading to Israel's rebellion.

Scripture Reading — 1 Kings 12:1-17

"And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) that they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed. 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? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. 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." "And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; 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. 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. 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. But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them."

The Principle of Wisdom with Age

Weaver asserts that wisdom generally comes with age, though not universally, citing personal experience and Job 32:5-9 where Elihu corrects older men, emphasizing that godly age deserves double honor.

It is true that wisdom comes with age. Each one of us can see the errors and the mistakes and the sins of his youth. And I can assure you that if the Lord allowed us to relive our lives all over again with the wisdom and knowledge and understanding that we have now, we would live our lives a whole lot differently than we did. It's amazing that young people are headstrong, self-willed and determined. And unhappily, they act just the way we did when we were young. Now, if you don't believe that young people are headstrong, self-willed and determined, you just try convincing your teenage children that you know what's best for them. They usually act the same way that we acted when we were children. While it is true that wisdom comes with age,

that does not mean that all were wise or that older people are always wise. I know of some older men who've acted stupidly, wickedly and rebelliously by forsaking the wife of their youth and marrying a much younger woman. It's never dawned upon them to ask themselves, why a 20-year-old woman would want a 65-year-old man? They probably hate to admit it, but the reason the 20-year-old woman wants a 65-year-old man is probably for what he's accumulated over the years and not for his manliness. So old men are not always wise. Sometimes they act very foolish and very stupidly. If you would hold 1 Kings chapter 12, but look in your Bibles to the book of Job 32, and I want you to see what Elihu said, beginning there with verse 5. Elihu is trying to straighten out some of the old men as well as Job. And in Job 32, beginning there with verse 5, Elihu says this, Job 32 and verse 5:

Scripture Reading — Job 32:5-9

"And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled. And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old."

"Wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment." So great men, he says, are not always wise. Elihu said, I was afraid to answer at first because I said that they should speak and multitudes of years should teach wisdom, but you three men have nothing. And so he said, I'm going to teach you.

Now, although there are exceptions to this principle and to this truth, I believe the principle still remains sound that wisdom comes with age. It certainly was true in regard to the old men during Rehoboam's time. Old men down through the years have experienced many trials and tribulations and therefore they have experienced so many things they are able and willing to share their knowledge. Let me just read to you from the book of Joel chapter 1 verses 1 through 3, listen carefully: "The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel. Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land."

Biblical Mandate to Honor the Aged

Using Leviticus 19:32 and Proverbs 16:31, Weaver teaches that God commands respect for the elderly, tying it to the fear of the Lord, and notes that the 'gray head' symbolizes wisdom.

The Book of Proverbs chapter 17 in verse 6 says this:

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 17:6

"Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers."

Children's children are the crown of old men. And that's true. You just have to understand when you get grandchildren, you understand that they are indeed the crown of old men. One of our leading problems that we are experiencing in our society, in our families, in our churches, is there is a lack of respect for the knowledge and the authority and wisdom of the aged. I want you to look in your Bible to the book of Leviticus chapter 19 verse 32. We're coming back to 1 Kings 12, but I'm just trying to give you a little introduction, and I want you to look how God summarizes this truth. Leviticus 19, and look if you would please at verse 32. God says it like this. Leviticus 19, verse 32. God says, "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD."

"Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head." That is, there is to be respect, there is to be recognition, and honor the face of the old man and fear thy God, I am the LORD. One of the leading reasons to honor and respect the elderly is simply because God commanded it. Moreover, God has tied respect for the aged and respect and recognition of the age to his honor and his glory. Look at it again in verse 32: "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD." In other words, if you fear God, you will indeed rise up before the hoary head and honor the face of the old man. If you don't fear God, then you will not do those things. So God has tied in recognition and honor of the aged and the elderly and the old people with fearing the Lord. Now there's another reason given to us in Proverbs 16 in verse 31 why we are indeed to honor the aged and the Bible says there: "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." The hoary head or the gray head is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness.

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 16:31

So age is one thing. Age with godliness and righteousness is quite another thing. In other words, God is saying that double honor is to be given to an aged individual that has been holy and godly and righteous all of their lives. You see, the Bible says in Proverbs 20 and verse 29, "The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head." One of the things that makes old men beautiful is the wisdom that comes with age. The gray head, listen carefully, or the gray beard, is a sign of age and wisdom. The interesting thing is this, the word "age" in the Hebrew in Proverbs 20 and verse 29 is the word "zaqen," which literally means a bearded one. That's what it means, a bearded one.

So actually, you could read it like this: The glory of young men is their strength and the beauty of old men is the hanging gray from the chin. Isn't that interesting? Do you realize we have old sayings that we've never really thought about? But do you remember when you were a child, you were told you should listen to your elders? Why should you listen to your elders?

Rehoboam's Foolishness and the Covenantal Context

Weaver explains that Rehoboam, though son of Solomon, was a fool, and that Israel's kings ruled under covenant with God and the people, not absolute power, as seen in 2 Samuel 5:3 and 2 Kings 11:17.

Unhappily, we are not born wise. Neither is wisdom conveyed in our genes. One can have a wise father himself and yet be utterly foolish. It's interesting that some of the godliest kings of Judah had some of the most stupid and foolish and wicked sons. I want to give you two comments by Adam Clarke and by Matthew Henry on Rehoboam. Remember Solomon was his father, and Solomon was one of the wisest men that ever lived. Adam Clarke says this: "Rehoboam was probably the only son of Solomon, for although he had a thousand wives, he had not the blessing of numerous offspring, and although he was the wisest of men himself, his son was a poor, unprincipled fool."

"Had Solomon kept himself within reasonable bounds in matrimonial affairs, he would have probably had more children, and such would have had common sense enough to discern the delicacy of their situation and rule according to reason and religion." Matthew Henry said it like this: "Solomon had a thousand wives and concubines, yet we read but of one son he had to bear his name, and he was a fool."

Scripture Reading — Hosea 4:10

"It is said in Hosea 4:10, 'They shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase.' Sin is a bad way of building up a family. Rehoboam was the son of the wisest of men, yet he did not inherit his father's wisdom. And then it stood him in little stead to inherit his father's throne. Neither wisdom nor grace runs in the blood. Solomon came to the crown very young, yet he was then a wise man. Rehoboam came to the crown at 40 years old when a man will be wise if he ever will, yet he was then foolish. Wisdom does not go by age, nor is it in the multitude of years, nor the advantage of education that reaches it. Solomon's court was a mart of wisdom and the rendezvous of learned men, and Rehoboam was the darling of that court, and yet all was not sufficient to make him a wise man. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong."

And that's certainly true. One other little quote, and I want you to turn back, if you would, to 1 Kings chapter 12, because we're going to be looking at the situation when Rehoboam succeeded his father Solomon to the throne.

And Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown, in their commentary, said this concerning the situation: "The incident here related took place after the funeral of the late king and the time for public mourning had passed, that is, after Solomon had died. When all Israel came to make him Rehoboam king, it was not to exercise their old right of election, for after God's promise of the perpetual sovereignty of David's posterity, their duty was submission to the authority of the rightful heir. But their object was, when making him king, to renew the conditions and stipulations to which their constitutional kings were subject, to the omission of such rehearsing which, under the peculiar circumstances in which Solomon was made king, they were disposed to ascribe the absolutism of his government." In other words, what they're saying is this: Although Rehoboam succeeded Solomon as Solomon followed David, that did not mean that these kings could just simply do as they pleased. Because these kings had a constitutional obligation, a covenantal obligation to the people. So Rehoboam then was appointed king by his father Solomon, but that did not mean that Rehoboam could rule apart from the covenant. Covenants were made with each king as well as covenants with the Lord. In 2 Kings 11 verse 17, let me just read it, because here the high priest Jehoiada is making a covenant not only with the Lord, but with the king and the people as well. The Bible says that Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people that they should be the LORD's people; between the king also and the people. So here are two covenants. The first one was between the king, the LORD, and the people. In that covenant, the king agreed to be the LORD's king and the people agreed to be the LORD's people.

Now the second covenant was between the king and the people. In that covenant, the king agreed to rule faithfully, and the people agreed to obey him as long as he did. And so even when David was chosen to be king, and God chose David to be king, but God did not make David king without the will and recognition of the people. Because the Bible says in 2 Samuel chapter 5 and verse 3, "So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel." Now the interesting thing is this, that the word "league" that you find in 2 Samuel 5 and verse 3, in 2 Chronicles 11 and verse 3, it is translated as "covenant." So David made a covenant with the elders of Israel. In other words, those kings understood, although God had chosen them, God had appointed them, they were still to rule by covenant. Now, it is true that oftentimes kings violated that covenant, but it was the duty and responsibility of the people to remind each king of that covenant and to remind them that they were ruling by the consent and the agreement of the governed.

And when you come to 1 Kings chapter 12, Israel is not challenging the succession of Rehoboam to the throne. They're saying, yes, you are the son of Solomon. Yes, the throne is yours, but here's the covenant and here's some problems that we're having and we want you to address these problems. Now, I want you to look in 1 Kings chapter 12, verse 1. This is interesting. "And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king." My question is this: Why did Rehoboam go to Shechem?

The Counsel of the Old Men: Servant Leadership

The old men advised Rehoboam to be a servant (ebed) to the people, promising their loyalty in return. Weaver argues this reflects the biblical view of civil rulers as ministers of God for good (Romans 13:4).

But at least Rehoboam is being confronted by the people. They said, "It's unbearable. It's insufferable. We cannot live under this. You have to make everything lighter and easier." Well, the only wise thing that Rehoboam ever did is found in verse 5. He says, "Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed." The only wise thing he did is give me time to think about this. Give me time to receive some counsel. Now, what I want to do today is I want to examine the counsel that was given to Rehoboam by both the old men and the young men. I think you see clearly that the old way is better than the new way and that the old men had far more wisdom than the young men. Let me give you a verse. You need to memorize this verse or at least write it down. I will quote it again before I close, but it's Jeremiah 6 and verse 16. Jeremiah 6 and verse 16. Listen carefully. "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths,

"wherein is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein." It is usually the old men that remember the old ways and long for the old ways. The young men in the new generation have no desire to remain in the old ways. Before I get started, I want you to turn back to the book of Judges. Look in Judges chapter 2 if you would. And I'm going to point out that what happened in Israel basically is what happened in Judges chapter 2. What has happened in America is basically what has happened in 1 Kings 12 and in Judges chapter 2. Watch carefully. Judges chapter 2 and verse 10: "And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers."

That is Joshua and all of those people who had led in the fight in Canaan and dividing the land. "And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel." So the new generation is equal to another generation. And that's basically what we have in this country. I've said this before. I really believe that my generation was the last one to enjoy just a little tiny bit of liberty and freedom. And basically, the good times and the good things of our life, because since I was a child, everything has gone downhill like a sled on snow with greased runners. I want you to see the differences between the counsel of the old men and the counsel of the young men. And that main difference is of vast importance. The old men, listen carefully, I'm going to tell you before I get started, the old men viewed civil government and the civil ruler as the servant and slave of the people. The young men viewed the people as a servant and slave of the civil government and the civil ruler.

Let me say it another way. The view and the counsel of the old men was the biblical view. The view and the counsel of the young men was humanistic and tyrannical. So let's look, first of all, at the counsel of the old men. You'll find it in verses 6 and 7. "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? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever." So the counsel of the old men to King Rehoboam was that he was to be a servant to the people.

The word "servant" in the Hebrew is the word "ebed," which literally means a slave, a bond slave, a manservant. So the old men then were counseling the king, the highest civil ruler in the land, the man who claimed to have all the authority and the power that he needed, they were counseling him to become a slave and a servant to the people. Their understanding of the role of the civil ruler was that he was there to serve the people and not himself. I want you to understand that the idea of a public servant is a biblical idea. Perhaps that is why that designation is so hated and despised today. But it was the counsel of the old men for the king then to become a servant or slave to the people.

Now, I want to emphasize something to you. Do you realize the way to serve the Lord is by serving His people? What can you give the Lord? What can you do for the Lord? He's sovereign. He owns everything. He created everything. He has everything. You know what the Bible says in Hebrews chapter 6 and verse 10? Listen. "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." God is not unrighteous to forsake your work and your labor of love, which you showed toward his name in that—here's how you did it—in ministering to the people of God. Do you remember what our Lord said in Matthew 25 and verse 40?

He said, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." So the way to serve Him is by serving His people. Why did God ordain the civil ruler or civil government to begin with? God ordained civil ruler to be a servant, His servant. And the civil ruler serves God by serving His people and by obeying God's law. That's why the Bible says in Romans 13,

Scripture Reading — Romans 13:4

"For he is the minister of God to thee for good." "But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."

I've told you repeatedly that the word "servant," or "minister" there, is the word "diakonos," that's where we get our English word "deacon,

Scripture Reading — Romans 13:4

" and it literally means servant. So he says, for he is the deacon of God, or he is the servant of God. He says that twice in verse 4.

But you were going to object and you say, but come on, Romans chapter 13 wasn't written back then. No, it wasn't. But the same truth is revealed in the Old Testament. Go back in your Bibles to 1 Kings chapter 11 and look at verses 37 and 38. I want you to see what God told Jeroboam. God's already told him you're going to get 10 tribes. Watch it. 1 Kings 11 verses 37 and 38. God said, "And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel. And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee." What? What did God tell Jeroboam?

The Counsel of the Young Men: Tyranny and Force

The young men counseled Rehoboam to threaten greater oppression, boasting 'my little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.' Weaver condemns this as humanistic, unbiblical despotism.

You do what's right and they're going to do what's right. Very quickly, look at the counsel of the young men. "And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions."

Now, I want you to notice what they advised and counseled him to answer. "My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins." Now, just think of the thigh. My little finger is going to be thicker than my father's thigh. Where he laid you heavy with yoke, I'm going to add to it. He may have beat you with whips, I'm going to beat you with scorpions. This proverbial expression, "My little finger shall be thicker than my father's thigh," expresses the fact that Rehoboam was saying that my power and my authority is going to so far exceed what my father did to you, you won't believe what I'm going to do to you. I'm going to employ every bit of my power to make sure you do exactly what I say to you.

So the answer that the young men gave is the answer of force, tyranny, and despotism. In other words, Rehoboam was saying to the people, I have the power. I have the authority. I'm going to make you know it. I'm going to make you feel it. I'm going to make you sense it. I'm going to make you suffer under it. And there's not one thing you can do about it. Rehoboam was proud, arrogant, and stupid.

The Consequences and Modern Application

Rehoboam's rejection of wise counsel led to Israel's secession. Weaver parallels this to modern America, contrasting Founding Fathers' views on the Second Amendment with contemporary politicians' anti-gun rhetoric.

And when he sought to apply his usurped authority, he was in for a surprise. Let's skip down to verse 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." In other words, they separated. They said, you think you're going to force us. You think you're going to rule over us. You think your little finger is going to be thicker than your father's. You just think that. We don't need you. We don't want you. Watch verse 17. "But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them." Yeah, they didn't leave. Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram,

who was over the tribute, the tax collector. He sent the official royal tax collector. He was going to force Israel to pay his taxes. "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." Isn't that amazing? They knew how to take care of the tax collector when the tax collector was coming from a tyrant. I hope you know that even the war of northern aggression had an aspect of taxes and Lincoln was going to try to collect those taxes even in lawfully seceded states. Inevitably, invariably, each tyrant will learn his lesson and meet his demise.

God has not given His people over to be slandered, sheared, and slain. You remember what He said in Zechariah 2 in verse 8,

Scripture Reading — Zechariah 2:8

"He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye."

It's the younger generation, or Scripture says it's another generation, that has arisen and does not know or understand the biblical principles of government, neither do they possess a biblical worldview. The average young person today, the average young person, the average educated young person, has a humanistic worldview and is humanistic to the core. They do not understand biblical principles. They do not understand biblical law. Some of you may have seen this. This was I know on the internet, probably on TV. I don't watch TV hardly, so I don't know if it's on TV or not, but I know it's all over the internet. But recently, one such young man who was a liberal, he's reported to be a star blogger or whatever that is. A star blogger, Ezra Klein, stated—I heard him with my own ears, I saw him—he said that the Constitution, talking about the United States Constitution, the Constitution has no binding power on anything and it is confusing because it's over 100 years old. It's amazing how much nonsense and stupidity is easily and clearly and quickly revealed by liberals. What Klein and those like him meant by that is this: We don't like the view that the Founding Fathers had in mind when they established the Constitution.

What we want to do is change everything according to our plans and what we think. That's what they mean. The Constitution is not confusing. The problem is no one reads it or heeds it or obeys it. You know when they read the Constitution in Congress the other day? That was probably the first time many of them had ever heard it read or even seen it. And some of those that participated in the reading of it

were so smirky and so—their whole attitude is, we don't need this. Wow. Let me try to give you just one quick illustration. And I'm going to ask the question, shall we listen to the old men or shall we listen to the young men? Or I'm going to ask it like this, shall we listen to our founding fathers or shall we listen to modern-day politicians? I'm going to give you just one example. The example I'm going to take is the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Let me just read to you the Second Amendment. Here it is.

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Now what I want to do is this. I'm going to give you a quote by some of the old men or the founding fathers. Then I'm going to give you a quote by some of the new men or young men or the modern day politicians. And I want to just compare the attitude, the knowledge, and the wisdom between the old men and the young men. Okay, then we'll close with a few choice quotes from some of the founding fathers.

So we're talking about the Second Amendment. Again, the Second Amendment says, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." The first quote is from George Mason in 1788. He said, and I quote, "To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them." What is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials. Ah, here's the young man, Senator Barack Obama, 2008: "Americans may own guns for the purpose of hunting and target shooting. There's an individual right to bear arms, but it's subject to common sense regulation." Here's Thomas Jefferson, 1776: "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." Here's Senator Hillary Clinton, 2008: "I would also work to reinstate the assault weapons ban." Noah Webster, 1787: "Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed." President Bill Clinton, 1997, said, and I quote, "Assault weapons in the hands of civilians exist for no reason but to inspire fear and wreak deadly havoc on our streets." What? Sam Adams, 1788, said, "The said Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."

And yet, Representative Carolyn McCarthy said, "You want an assault rifle? Join the Army." Patrick Henry said, "The militia is our ultimate safety. We can have no security without it. The great object is that every man be armed." And then the illustrious Senator Dianne Feinstein said in 1993, "Banning guns addresses a fundamental right of all Americans to feel safe." How stupid. William Pitt in 1783 said, "Necessity is the plea of every infringement of human freedom. "It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves." And yet Senator Chuck Schumer said, "We're going to hammer guns on the anvil of relentless legislative strategy. We're going to beat guns into submission." And then the noted Representative Henry Waxman said, "If someone is so fearful that they're going to start using their weapons to protect their rights, it makes me very nervous that these people have weapons at all."

Well, why do you think our founding fathers gave us the right to keep and bear arms? Benjamin Franklin said, "A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins." Let me give you a few good quotes. This one, of course, is by John Trenchard, who died in 1723. He said, "To avoid domestic tyranny, the people must be armed to stand upon their own defense, which if they are unable to do, they shall never be put upon it.

Conclusion: Choose the Old Paths

Weaver exhorts listeners to follow the old ways and the counsel of the aged, citing Jeremiah 6:16, and closes with prayer for repentance and restoration of biblical governance.

Like Joshua of old, as for me and my house, I prefer to listen to the counsel of the old men and not the young. If you listen to the counsel of the young men and the young politicians, you may never live to be an old man. I prefer the truth of God and the truths that were set forth by our founding fathers. Just a couple of quick applications, the first one is this: The way to rule is to serve. To do good, to stoop to become all things to all men, and so win their hearts. Those who sit the most safely in power and authority are those who serve with a genuine heart of a servant. Our Lord, who had the absolute power and absolute authority, said this, "Behold, I am among you as he that serveth." The way to rule is to serve.

The second application is this: The old ways, the old men, the old counsel are by far superior to the younger humanistic and idolatrous generation. God has set before us the way of life and the way of death. We have to choose which way we must walk. And I pray that we'll choose life. One more time, Jeremiah 6, verse 16: "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, wherein is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein." If you refuse to walk in God's ways, you will find death and destruction. The old ways and the old counsel will lead you into life and happiness.

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee. We thank You for Your Word and for Your truth. Lord, I pray especially for our young people today, Lord, that You would help them to avoid the sins and the mistakes and the errors that their parents and grandparents made. Give them a willing heart and a listening heart and an obedient heart. Lord, those of us who are old, we need to hear and listen and be willing to learn and obey as well. I pray, Father, that You'd speak to Your people in this country, Lord, that You would give us repentance and give us faith and give us obedience. And once again, restore our dominion. And we do pray, Father, for the overthrow of tyranny and despotism and wickedness. And ask, Father, that Jesus Christ would be exalted and honored and glorified in our lives. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

Wisdom of the Aged vs. Foolishness of Youth

Summary: The sermon emphasizes that wisdom generally accompanies age, though not absolutely, and that the counsel of older, godly men is superior to the rash, humanistic advice of the young.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'It is true that wisdom comes with age... the old men had far more wisdom than the young men' and cites Job 32:5-9 to show that even young Elihu corrected older men when they lacked understanding.

Biblical Servant Leadership in Government

Summary: Civil rulers are ordained by God to be servants (ministers) to the people, not tyrants. The old men's counsel to Rehoboam to be a 'servant' (ebed) reflects this biblical principle.

Evidence: Weaver explains, 'The old men viewed civil government and the civil ruler as the servant and slave of the people... the word servant in the Hebrew is the word ebed, which literally means a slave' and references Romans 13:4 and 2 Samuel 5:12.

Covenantal Nature of Government

Summary: Kings in Israel ruled under covenant with God and the people, not by absolute power. This covenantal framework is foundational to understanding legitimate authority and the right of the people to hold rulers accountable.

Evidence: Weaver cites 2 Kings 11:17 and 2 Samuel 5:3, noting, 'David made a covenant with the elders of Israel... those kings understood, although God had chosen them... they were still to rule by covenant.'

The Danger of Forsaking the 'Old Paths'

Summary: Rejecting the wisdom of the past—both biblical and from the Founding Fathers—leads to tyranny and destruction. The sermon calls for a return to the 'old paths' of God's law and the principles of liberty.

Evidence: Weaver repeatedly quotes Jeremiah 6:16, 'Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, wherein is the good way, and walk therein,' and contrasts Founding Fathers' quotes on the Second Amendment with modern politicians' statements.

Idolatry as the Root of Political Tyranny

Summary: The heavy burdens under Solomon were a symptom of idolatry, which produced despotism. The people complained about taxes but not the underlying sin, a pattern repeated in modern America.

Evidence: Weaver notes, 'the cause of all the burdens and the taxes was the idolatry, which produced tyranny, despotism. So they're not complaining about the idolatry. They're complaining about the taxes and the burdens.'

The Right to Keep and Bear Arms as a Safeguard Against Tyranny

Summary: The Second Amendment is presented as a biblical and historical principle to prevent government tyranny, with the Founding Fathers affirming that an armed populace is essential to liberty.

Evidence: Weaver quotes George Mason: 'To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them,' and contrasts with modern politicians' calls for gun control.

Key Arguments

Age and Wisdom Are Generally Correlated

Summary: While not absolute, wisdom typically comes with age and experience, and God commands honor for the elderly, especially those who are righteous.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'It is true that wisdom comes with age... The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness' (Proverbs 16:31).

Rehoboam's Foolishness Was Despite His Heritage

Summary: Rehoboam, son of the wisest king, was a fool, proving that wisdom is not inherited and that even those raised in a wise court can reject sound counsel.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Matthew Henry: 'Rehoboam was the son of the wisest of men, yet he did not inherit his father's wisdom... Wisdom does not go by age.'

Civil Rulers Are to Be Servants, Not Masters

Summary: The biblical model for government is servant-leadership, where rulers serve God by serving the people and obeying His law, not by lording authority over them.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'The old men counseled the king to become a slave or a servant to the people... God ordained civil ruler to be a servant, His servant' and cites Romans 13:4.

Tyranny Is a Result of Rejecting God's Law

Summary: When rulers abandon God's law and embrace humanistic, despotic principles, they become tyrants. The young men's counsel to Rehoboam exemplifies this unbiblical approach.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'The counsel of the young men was rash, it was humanistic, it was tyrannical, as well as unbiblical. God has never ordained a tyrannical form of government.'

The People Have a Right to Resist Tyranny

Summary: When Rehoboam threatened greater oppression, Israel justly separated from his rule. This principle of interposition is seen as applicable to modern resistance against unconstitutional government.

Evidence: Weaver notes, 'They separated. They said, you think you're going to force us... We don't need you. We don't want you.'

Modern Politicians Reject the Founding Fathers' Wisdom

Summary: Contemporary leaders dismiss the Constitution and the principles of limited government, advocating for gun control and centralized power, in stark contrast to the Founders' intent.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Ezra Klein: 'the Constitution has no binding power on anything and it is confusing because it's over 100 years old,' and contrasts Founding Fathers' quotes on arms with modern politicians' statements.

The 'Old Paths' Lead to Life and Rest

Summary: Jeremiah 6:16 is the key verse: God calls His people to ask for the old paths and walk in them to find rest. Rejecting these paths leads to death and destruction.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Jeremiah 6:16 multiple times and concludes, 'If you refuse to walk in God's ways, you will find death and destruction. The old ways and the old counsel will lead you into life and happiness.'

Scripture References

1 Kings 12:1-17

Context: The primary text of the sermon, detailing Rehoboam's succession, the people's request, the counsel of old and young men, and the division of Israel.

Job 32:5-9

Context: Elihu, though young, corrects older men, showing that wisdom is not always with the aged but comes from the Spirit of God.

Joel 1:1-3

Context: Old men are commanded to tell their children and grandchildren about God's judgments, emphasizing the role of the aged in passing down knowledge.

Proverbs 17:6

Context: Children's children are the crown of old men, highlighting the blessing of grandchildren and the honor of family lineage.

Leviticus 19:32

Context: God commands rising before the gray head and honoring the old man, tying respect for the aged to the fear of the Lord.

Proverbs 16:31

Context: The gray head is a crown of glory if found in the way of righteousness, indicating that godly age deserves double honor.

Proverbs 20:29

Context: The glory of young men is their strength, and the beauty of old men is the gray head, with 'age' (zaqen) meaning 'bearded one,' symbolizing wisdom.

1 Timothy 3:6

Context: A pastor must not be a novice, lest he fall into pride; maturity (being a 'bearded one' in the faith) is a qualification for eldership.

Hosea 4:10

Context: Quoted by Matthew Henry: 'They shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase,' illustrating that sin does not build up a family, as seen in Solomon's few offspring.

2 Kings 11:17

Context: Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord, the king, and the people, showing the covenantal nature of Israel's monarchy.

2 Samuel 5:3

Context: David made a covenant (league) with the elders of Israel before being anointed king, demonstrating rule by consent of the governed.

1 Kings 11:29-33

Context: Ahijah prophesies the division of the kingdom, giving ten tribes to Jeroboam because of Solomon's idolatry, the root cause of the burdens.

1 Kings 11:40

Context: Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam, who fled to Egypt, explaining why Jeroboam was summoned from Egypt in 1 Kings 12.

1 Kings 11:37-38

Context: God promises Jeroboam a sure house if he obeys God's commands and walks in His ways, showing the conditional nature of God's blessing on rulers.

2 Samuel 23:1-3

Context: David's last words, inspired by the Spirit, declare that one who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

2 Samuel 5:12

Context: David perceived that God exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel, not for David's personal benefit.

1 Peter 5:2-3

Context: Pastors are to shepherd the flock willingly, not as lords over God's heritage but as examples, paralleling the servant-leadership required of civil rulers.

Romans 13:4

Context: The civil ruler is the minister (diakonos, servant) of God for good, an avenger to execute wrath on evildoers, establishing the servant role of government.

Zechariah 2:8

Context: He who touches God's people touches the apple of His eye, indicating divine protection against tyranny.

Jeremiah 6:16

Context: The key application verse: God calls His people to ask for the old paths, the good way, and walk in it to find rest, but they refused.

Historical References

Rehoboam and the Division of Israel

Context: The biblical account of Rehoboam's foolish rejection of wise counsel, leading to the secession of the ten northern tribes under Jeroboam.

Solomon's Idolatry and Heavy Burdens

Context: Solomon's many wives led him into idolatry, which resulted in oppressive taxation and forced labor, setting the stage for the kingdom's division.

Jeroboam's Flight to Egypt

Context: After Ahijah's prophecy, Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam, who fled to Shishak king of Egypt until Solomon's death.

Founding Fathers on the Second Amendment

Context: Quotes from George Mason, Thomas Jefferson, Noah Webster, Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, and Benjamin Franklin affirming the right to bear arms as a safeguard against tyranny.

Modern Politicians on Gun Control

Context: Statements from Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Carolyn McCarthy, Dianne Feinstein, Chuck Schumer, and Henry Waxman advocating for gun restrictions, contrasted with the Founders.

Ezra Klein's Statement on the Constitution

Context: A modern liberal blogger claimed the Constitution has no binding power and is confusing because it is over 100 years old, exemplifying the rejection of founding principles.

Reading of the Constitution in Congress

Context: Weaver mentions the recent reading of the Constitution in Congress, noting the smirking attitude of some members, indicating disdain for the document.

John Trenchard (d. 1723)

Context: Quoted on the necessity of an armed populace to avoid domestic tyranny, stating that a nation capable of war is surest to live in peace.

Important Quotes

If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.

Significance: This is the counsel of the old men, encapsulating the biblical principle of servant-leadership in government, which Weaver contrasts with the tyrannical advice of the young men.

My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.

Significance: The boastful, tyrannical response of the young men, representing the humanistic, despotic approach to rule that Rehoboam foolishly adopted.

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, wherein is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Significance: The central application verse of the sermon, calling for a return to the wisdom of the past and obedience to God's ways.

To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them.

Significance: George Mason's quote, used to illustrate the Founding Fathers' understanding of the Second Amendment as a bulwark against tyranny.

The old men viewed civil government and the civil ruler as the servant and slave of the people. The young men viewed the people as a servant and slave of the civil government and the civil ruler.

Significance: Weaver's summary of the fundamental difference between the biblical, founding-era view of government and the modern, humanistic view.

God has never ordained a tyrannical form of government.

Significance: A clear theological assertion that any government acting tyrannically is not acting under God's legitimate authority.

The way to rule is to serve.

Significance: The first application, summarizing the biblical principle of servant-leadership exemplified by Christ and the old men's counsel.

If you listen to the counsel of the young men and the young politicians, you may never live to be an old man.

Significance: A stark warning that rejecting the wisdom of the aged and the Founders leads to destruction and loss of liberty.

Discussion Questions

In what ways does our society today show a lack of respect for the wisdom and authority of the aged, and how can we counter that trend biblically?

Context: Weaver emphasizes the biblical command to honor the elderly (Leviticus 19:32) and notes that one of our leading problems is a lack of respect for the aged.

How does the covenantal nature of Israel's monarchy (2 Kings 11:17; 2 Samuel 5:3) inform our understanding of the relationship between rulers and the governed today?

Context: Weaver explains that kings ruled by covenant with God and the people, not by absolute power, and that the people had a duty to remind the king of that covenant.

Why is it significant that the Israelites complained about the symptoms (heavy taxes) rather than the root cause (idolatry), and how does this apply to modern political issues?

Context: Weaver points out that the burdens under Solomon were a result of idolatry, but the people only complained about the taxes, not the sin that caused them.

What does it mean for a civil ruler to be a 'servant' (ebed) of the people, and how does this contrast with modern views of government power?

Context: The old men counseled Rehoboam to be a servant to the people, and Weaver argues this is the biblical model, with rulers as ministers of God for good (Romans 13:4).

How do the Founding Fathers' statements on the right to bear arms reflect a biblical worldview, and why do modern politicians reject that perspective?

Context: Weaver contrasts quotes from George Mason, Thomas Jefferson, and others with modern politicians' calls for gun control, framing the Second Amendment as a safeguard against tyranny.

What are the 'old paths' that Jeremiah 6:16 refers to, and how can we practically 'ask for' and 'walk in' them today?

Context: Weaver repeatedly cites Jeremiah 6:16 as the key application, urging a return to the old ways of God's law and the wisdom of the Founders.

In what ways can the church model servant-leadership as described in 1 Peter 5:2-3, and how does that contrast with tyrannical leadership in both church and state?

Context: Weaver parallels the pastor's role as a servant, not a lord, to the civil ruler's role, emphasizing leadership by example and not by force.

How should Christians respond when civil government becomes tyrannical, based on the example of Israel's separation from Rehoboam and the principles of interposition?

Context: Weaver notes that Israel justly separated from Rehoboam when he threatened greater oppression, and he implies that similar resistance may be warranted against modern tyranny.

Applications

Serve Others to Lead Effectively

Summary: The way to rule in any sphere—family, church, or government—is to serve. True authority is gained by having a servant's heart, following Christ's example.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'The way to rule is to serve. To do good, to stoop to become all things to all men, and so win their hearts... Our Lord, who had the absolute power and absolute authority, said this, Behold, I am among you as he that serveth.'

Honor and Learn from the Aged

Summary: Respect the elderly, especially those who are godly, and seek their wisdom. This is a direct command of God and a safeguard against repeating past mistakes.

Evidence: Weaver cites Leviticus 19:32 and Proverbs 16:31, and says, 'One of the leading reasons to honor and respect the elderly is simply because God commanded it.'

Return to the 'Old Paths' of Biblical Truth

Summary: Reject the humanistic, modern ideas that contradict Scripture and the founding principles of liberty. Instead, seek the old ways found in God's Word and the wisdom of godly forefathers.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Jeremiah 6:16 and says, 'The old ways, the old men, the old counsel are by far superior to the younger humanistic and idolatrous generation.'

Understand the Root Cause of Political Problems

Summary: Do not merely complain about symptoms like high taxes or government overreach; recognize that idolatry and rejection of God's law are the underlying causes.

Evidence: Weaver points out that Israel complained about taxes but not the idolatry that caused them, and says, 'What Israel was doing was trying to deal with the symptom and not the root cause.'

Uphold the Right to Bear Arms as a Duty

Summary: Support the Second Amendment as a biblical and historical means of protecting liberty against tyranny, and reject modern attempts to disarm the populace.

Evidence: Weaver quotes the Founding Fathers extensively on the necessity of an armed citizenry and contrasts with modern politicians' anti-gun statements.

Teach the Next Generation God's Truth

Summary: Older generations must actively pass down knowledge of God's works and judgments to their children and grandchildren, as commanded in Joel 1:1-3.

Evidence: Weaver reads Joel 1:1-3 and says, 'Old men are admonished to share their knowledge, and especially their knowledge when it comes to enduring the judgment of God.'

Choose Leaders Who Fear God and Serve the People

Summary: Support and elect civil rulers who understand their role as servants under God's law, not those who seek power for themselves or embrace humanistic tyranny.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'God has only ordained a government that is going to be obedient to Him... It will be His servant and it will serve His people.'

Repent and Pray for National Restoration

Summary: The sermon closes with a prayer for repentance, faith, obedience, and the overthrow of tyranny, urging believers to seek God's restoration of biblical governance.

Evidence: Weaver prays, 'Lord, that You would give us repentance and give us faith and give us obedience. And once again, restore our dominion... for the overthrow of tyranny and despotism and wickedness.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T22:06:46Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T13:48:49Z

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Shall We Listen to our Founding Fathers?

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Let's open our Bibles today to 1 Kings chapter 12. 1 Kings chapter 12. 1 Kings chapter 12, and we're going to be reading verses 1 through 17. The title of the message today is, "Shall We Listen to the Old Man or to the Young Man?" Now I have a subtitle and it is this: "Shall We Listen to Our Founding Fathers or Our Modern Day Politicians?" So, you will understand. Shall we listen to our founding fathers or our modern day politicians? 1 Kings 12, beginning with verse 1: "And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king."
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"And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) that they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed. 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? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. 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."
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"And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; 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."
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"My father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 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. 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. But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them."
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It is true that wisdom comes with age. Each one of us can see the errors and the mistakes and the sins of his youth. And I can assure you that if the Lord allowed us to relive our lives all over again with the wisdom and knowledge and understanding that we have now, we would live our lives a whole lot differently than we did. It's amazing that young people are headstrong, self-willed and determined. And unhappily, they act just the way we did when we were young. Now, if you don't believe that young people are headstrong, self-willed and determined, you just try convincing your teenage children that you know what's best for them. They usually act the same way that we acted when we were children. While it is true that wisdom comes with age,
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that does not mean that all were wise or that older people are always wise. I know of some older men who've acted stupidly, wickedly and rebelliously by forsaking the wife of their youth and marrying a much younger woman. It's never dawned upon them to ask themselves, why a 20-year-old woman would want a 65-year-old man? They probably hate to admit it, but the reason the 20-year-old woman wants a 65-year-old man is probably for what he's accumulated over the years and not for his manliness. So old men are not always wise.
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Sometimes they act very foolish and very stupidly. If you would hold 1 Kings chapter 12, but look in your Bibles to the book of Job 32, and I want you to see what Elihu said, beginning there with verse 5. Elihu is trying to straighten out some of the old men as well as Job. And in Job 32, beginning there with verse 5, Elihu says this, Job 32 and verse 5: "And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled. And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old."
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"Wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment." So great men, he says, are not always wise. Elihu said, I was afraid to answer at first because I said that they should speak and multitudes of years should teach wisdom, but you three men have nothing. And so he said, I'm going to teach you.
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Now, although there are exceptions to this principle and to this truth, I believe the principle still remains sound that wisdom comes with age. It certainly was true in regard to the old men during Rehoboam's time. Old men down through the years have experienced many trials and tribulations and therefore they have experienced so many things they are able and willing to share their knowledge. Let me just read to you from the book of Joel chapter 1 verses 1 through 3, listen carefully: "The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel. Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land."
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"Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers? Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation."
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Now, in the context God is speaking about judgment. And God said, hear you this, you old men. You tell your children, and you tell your children's children, and you let them tell the children of another generation what you have gone through, what you have experienced, and what you know. You see, old men are admonished to share their knowledge, and especially their knowledge when it comes to enduring the judgment of God. Old men are always willing to share, especially with their children and grandchildren, provided they can find some that will listen.
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The Book of Proverbs chapter 17 in verse 6 says this: "Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers." Children's children are the crown of old men. And that's true. You just have to understand when you get grandchildren, you understand that they are indeed the crown of old men. One of our leading problems that we are experiencing in our society, in our families, in our churches, is there is a lack of respect for the knowledge and the authority and wisdom of the aged. I want you to look in your Bible to the book of Leviticus chapter 19 verse 32. We're coming back to 1 Kings 12, but I'm just trying to give you a little introduction, and I want you to look how God summarizes this truth. Leviticus 19, and look if you would please at verse 32. God says it like this. Leviticus 19, verse 32. God says, "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD."
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"Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head." That is, there is to be respect, there is to be recognition, and honor the face of the old man and fear thy God, I am the LORD. One of the leading reasons to honor and respect the elderly is simply because God commanded it. Moreover, God has tied respect for the aged and respect and recognition of the age to his honor and his glory.
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Look at it again in verse 32: "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD." In other words, if you fear God, you will indeed rise up before the hoary head and honor the face of the old man. If you don't fear God, then you will not do those things. So God has tied in recognition and honor of the aged and the elderly and the old people with fearing the Lord. Now there's another reason given to us in Proverbs 16 in verse 31 why we are indeed to honor the aged and the Bible says there: "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." The hoary head or the gray head is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness.
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So age is one thing. Age with godliness and righteousness is quite another thing. In other words, God is saying that double honor is to be given to an aged individual that has been holy and godly and righteous all of their lives. You see, the Bible says in Proverbs 20 and verse 29, "The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head." One of the things that makes old men beautiful is the wisdom that comes with age. The gray head, listen carefully, or the gray beard, is a sign of age and wisdom. The interesting thing is this, the word "age" in the Hebrew in Proverbs 20 and verse 29 is the word "zaqen," which literally means a bearded one. That's what it means, a bearded one.
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So actually, you could read it like this: The glory of young men is their strength and the beauty of old men is the hanging gray from the chin. Isn't that interesting? Do you realize we have old sayings that we've never really thought about? But do you remember when you were a child, you were told you should listen to your elders? Why should you listen to your elders?
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Because of the wisdom and the knowledge that they have attained over the years. How about this one? Children should be seen and not heard. You know what that means? It means children should sit still and sit quietly and listen to their elders as their elders are discussing things so that they may learn to avoid a lot of mistakes the old folks made, and a lot of the sins of the old folks made as well.
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Do you realize that one of the qualifications for an elder, for a pastor, in 1 Timothy chapter 3 and verse 6 is this: "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil." Now a novice is a newly planted one, or a neophyte, or one recently converted. In other words, he has not had time to mature or become a bearded one in the faith. Thus he does not qualify as an elder.
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Unhappily, we are not born wise. Neither is wisdom conveyed in our genes. One can have a wise father himself and yet be utterly foolish. It's interesting that some of the godliest kings of Judah had some of the most stupid and foolish and wicked sons. I want to give you two comments by Adam Clarke and by Matthew Henry on Rehoboam. Remember Solomon was his father, and Solomon was one of the wisest men that ever lived. Adam Clarke says this: "Rehoboam was probably the only son of Solomon, for although he had a thousand wives, he had not the blessing of numerous offspring, and although he was the wisest of men himself, his son was a poor, unprincipled fool."
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"Had Solomon kept himself within reasonable bounds in matrimonial affairs, he would have probably had more children, and such would have had common sense enough to discern the delicacy of their situation and rule according to reason and religion." Matthew Henry said it like this: "Solomon had a thousand wives and concubines, yet we read but of one son he had to bear his name, and he was a fool."
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"It is said in Hosea 4:10, 'They shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase.' Sin is a bad way of building up a family. Rehoboam was the son of the wisest of men, yet he did not inherit his father's wisdom. And then it stood him in little stead to inherit his father's throne. Neither wisdom nor grace runs in the blood. Solomon came to the crown very young, yet he was then a wise man. Rehoboam came to the crown at 40 years old when a man will be wise if he ever will, yet he was then foolish. Wisdom does not go by age, nor is it in the multitude of years, nor the advantage of education that reaches it. Solomon's court was a mart of wisdom and the rendezvous of learned men, and Rehoboam was the darling of that court, and yet all was not sufficient to make him a wise man. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong." And that's certainly true. One other little quote, and I want you to turn back, if you would, to 1 Kings chapter 12, because we're going to be looking at the situation when Rehoboam succeeded his father Solomon to the throne.
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And Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown, in their commentary, said this concerning the situation: "The incident here related took place after the funeral of the late king and the time for public mourning had passed, that is, after Solomon had died. When all Israel came to make him Rehoboam king, it was not to exercise their old right of election, for after God's promise of the perpetual sovereignty of David's posterity, their duty was submission to the authority of the rightful heir. But their object was, when making him king, to renew the conditions and stipulations to which their constitutional kings were subject, to the omission of such rehearsing which, under the peculiar circumstances in which Solomon was made king, they were disposed to ascribe the absolutism of his government."
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In other words, what they're saying is this: Although Rehoboam succeeded Solomon as Solomon followed David, that did not mean that these kings could just simply do as they pleased. Because these kings had a constitutional obligation, a covenantal obligation to the people. So Rehoboam then was appointed king by his father Solomon, but that did not mean that Rehoboam could rule apart from the covenant. Covenants were made with each king as well as covenants with the Lord. In 2 Kings 11 verse 17, let me just read it, because here the high priest Jehoiada is making a covenant not only with the Lord, but with the king and the people as well. The Bible says that Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people that they should be the LORD's people; between the king also and the people. So here are two covenants. The first one was between the king, the LORD, and the people. In that covenant, the king agreed to be the LORD's king and the people agreed to be the LORD's people.
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Now the second covenant was between the king and the people. In that covenant, the king agreed to rule faithfully, and the people agreed to obey him as long as he did. And so even when David was chosen to be king, and God chose David to be king, but God did not make David king without the will and recognition of the people. Because the Bible says in 2 Samuel chapter 5 and verse 3, "So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel." Now the interesting thing is this, that the word "league" that you find in 2 Samuel 5 and verse 3, in 2 Chronicles 11 and verse 3, it is translated as "covenant." So David made a covenant with the elders of Israel. In other words, those kings understood, although God had chosen them, God had appointed them, they were still to rule by covenant. Now, it is true that oftentimes kings violated that covenant, but it was the duty and responsibility of the people to remind each king of that covenant and to remind them that they were ruling by the consent and the agreement of the governed.
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And when you come to 1 Kings chapter 12, Israel is not challenging the succession of Rehoboam to the throne. They're saying, yes, you are the son of Solomon. Yes, the throne is yours, but here's the covenant and here's some problems that we're having and we want you to address these problems. Now, I want you to look in 1 Kings chapter 12, verse 1. This is interesting. "And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king." My question is this: Why did Rehoboam go to Shechem?
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Was not Jerusalem the capital? Was not Jerusalem the city of David? You see, Jerusalem's in the Southern Kingdom. He is now dealing with the Northern Kingdom. And the people of the Northern Kingdom says we're not going to the capital of the Southern Kingdom. If you want to rule over us, you come to our city. You listen to our grievances. You listen to our stipulations. And the interesting thing is, if you'll skip down to verse 18, I'll cover it a little bit later.
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When everything went wrong for Rehoboam, look what happened. "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." He was getting out of danger, but he was heading back to Jerusalem. I want you to note, so Rehoboam now comes to Shechem to be made king. And if you will skip down to verse 2 and 3, "And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) that they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying..." Now, I want you to note that Jeroboam is down in Egypt. Why did they send for Jeroboam? Well, the interesting thing is, God had already told Jeroboam that he was going to be king. He told him that by Ahijah the Shilonite.
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Look in 1 Kings 11 and let's begin reading there verse 29. Watch carefully. 1 Kings 11 verse 29: "And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field: And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces: And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee: (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:) Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father."
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Note, if you would, he's already given now ten tribes to Jeroboam. Now, notice they sent and called him out of Egypt. So you have to ask yourself, why was he down in Egypt? Well, skip down to verse 40. You'll find out why he was in Egypt. "Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon." So Solomon then knew about the prophecy. And Solomon, in order to prevent this, was seeking to murder Jeroboam, and so Jeroboam flees into Egypt. So, when you look in 1 Kings chapter 12 at verses 2 and 3, what the people of Israel have done is they have summoned Jeroboam out of Egypt and they bring him back in order that he might be their spokesman. Now, I find it interesting that when they speak to Rehoboam, they say this. Skip down, if you would, to verse 4. They say, "Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee."
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Interestingly, the Israelites complained only about the taxes, the burdens, and the heavy yoke that was laid upon them by Solomon. I want you to note: They did not complain about the idolatry that caused the problems. If you'll go back in your Bibles, I want you to look at 1 Kings chapter 11 again and verse 33. Here was the root of all the problems. What Israel was doing was trying to deal with the symptom and not the root cause.
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For God says in verse 33, "Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father." So very obviously, the cause of all the burdens and the taxes was the idolatry, which produced tyranny, despotism. So they're not complaining about the idolatry. They're complaining about the taxes and the burdens. In other words, they're complaining about the symptoms and not the cause.
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But at least Rehoboam is being confronted by the people. They said, "It's unbearable. It's insufferable. We cannot live under this. You have to make everything lighter and easier." Well, the only wise thing that Rehoboam ever did is found in verse 5. He says, "Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed." The only wise thing he did is give me time to think about this. Give me time to receive some counsel. Now, what I want to do today is I want to examine the counsel that was given to Rehoboam by both the old men and the young men. I think you see clearly that the old way is better than the new way and that the old men had far more wisdom than the young men. Let me give you a verse. You need to memorize this verse or at least write it down. I will quote it again before I close, but it's Jeremiah 6 and verse 16. Jeremiah 6 and verse 16. Listen carefully. "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths,
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"wherein is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein." It is usually the old men that remember the old ways and long for the old ways. The young men in the new generation have no desire to remain in the old ways. Before I get started, I want you to turn back to the book of Judges. Look in Judges chapter 2 if you would. And I'm going to point out that what happened in Israel basically is what happened in Judges chapter 2. What has happened in America is basically what has happened in 1 Kings 12 and in Judges chapter 2. Watch carefully. Judges chapter 2 and verse 10: "And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers."
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That is Joshua and all of those people who had led in the fight in Canaan and dividing the land. "And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel." So the new generation is equal to another generation. And that's basically what we have in this country. I've said this before. I really believe that my generation was the last one
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to enjoy just a little tiny bit of liberty and freedom. And basically, the good times and the good things of our life, because since I was a child, everything has gone downhill like a sled on snow with greased runners. I want you to see the differences between the counsel of the old men and the counsel of the young men. And that main difference is of vast importance. The old men, listen carefully, I'm going to tell you before I get started, the old men viewed civil government and the civil ruler as the servant and slave of the people. The young men viewed the people as a servant and slave of the civil government and the civil ruler.
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Let me say it another way. The view and the counsel of the old men was the biblical view. The view and the counsel of the young men was humanistic and tyrannical. So let's look, first of all, at the counsel of the old men. You'll find it in verses 6 and 7. "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? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever." So the counsel of the old men to King Rehoboam was that he was to be a servant to the people.
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The word "servant" in the Hebrew is the word "ebed," which literally means a slave, a bond slave, a manservant. So the old men then were counseling the king, the highest civil ruler in the land, the man who claimed to have all the authority and the power that he needed, they were counseling him to become a slave and a servant to the people. Their understanding of the role of the civil ruler was that he was there to serve the people and not himself. I want you to understand that the idea of a public servant is a biblical idea.
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Perhaps that is why that designation is so hated and despised today. But it was the counsel of the old men for the king then to become a servant or slave to the people.
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Now, I want to emphasize something to you. Do you realize the way to serve the Lord is by serving His people? What can you give the Lord? What can you do for the Lord? He's sovereign. He owns everything. He created everything. He has everything. You know what the Bible says in Hebrews chapter 6 and verse 10? Listen. "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." God is not unrighteous to forsake your work and your labor of love, which you showed toward his name in that—here's how you did it—in ministering to the people of God. Do you remember what our Lord said in Matthew 25 and verse 40?
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He said, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." So the way to serve Him is by serving His people. Why did God ordain the civil ruler or civil government to begin with? God ordained civil ruler to be a servant, His servant. And the civil ruler serves God by serving His people and by obeying God's law. That's why the Bible says in Romans 13, "For he is the minister of God to thee for good."
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"But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." I've told you repeatedly that the word "servant," or "minister" there, is the word "diakonos," that's where we get our English word "deacon," and it literally means servant. So he says, for he is the deacon of God, or he is the servant of God. He says that twice in verse 4.
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But you were going to object and you say, but come on, Romans chapter 13 wasn't written back then. No, it wasn't. But the same truth is revealed in the Old Testament. Go back in your Bibles to 1 Kings chapter 11 and look at verses 37 and 38. I want you to see what God told Jeroboam. God's already told him you're going to get 10 tribes. Watch it. 1 Kings 11 verses 37 and 38. God said, "And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel. And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee." What? What did God tell Jeroboam?
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If you will do what is right, if you will obey me, if you will submit yourself to me and serve me, obey my law and serve my people, I will build you a sure house. He told that to Jeroboam. By the way, the first thing Jeroboam son of Nebat did after he got to be king was to apostatize and make two golden calves. I want you to look in your Bibles to 2 Samuel 23.
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This is one of my favorite passages. This passage is just not only important, but it is so clear there is no way in the world that anyone can misunderstand what David is saying. And I want you to note how many times David claims direct inspiration for this saying. Look in 2 Samuel 23, and let's begin reading there with verse 1. "Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob,
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"and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God." Isn't that amazing? Since you're in 2 Samuel, go back to 2 Samuel chapter 5 and let me show you how David understood this. Look in 2 Samuel chapter 5 and verse 12. 2 Samuel chapter 5 verse 12: "And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake." Why did God establish David king? Why did God establish his kingdom? And the answer is, for his people Israel's sake. It was not for David's sake. It was for the people's sake. God did not establish civil government for the rulers to lord it over the people and tyrannize them, but God established civil government for the benefit of the people.
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It's much like the relationship that exists between a pastor and the church. Are you listening? Pastors are given to the church. The church is not given to the pastor to lord it over and to become a despot and a tyrant. Here it is, 1 Peter 5, verses 2 and 3. Let me quote it. Listen carefully. God told the preachers, "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." How is a pastor to lead the church? Not only through the Word of God, but by example. By teaching and by example.
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I don't come in here and say, you will do this or else. No. That would be tyranny. And tyranny in the church is just as bad as tyranny in civil government. I don't come up to Alice and say, "You will do it, girl."
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Now, she normally does what I ask. But she knows that I love her and I want to rule in love, not by force. It's the same principle. God established David king and exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.
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Now, I want you to look again in your Bibles to 1 Kings chapter 12. And look at verse 7. Watch carefully. 1 Kings 12, verse 7. Here's the counsel of the old men. "And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever." Now guess what? The word "servants" is the same Hebrew word that is translated "servant." It is the word "ebed." Now watch. Let's go back and read it again: "And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever." So the old men counseled the king to become a slave or a servant to the people, and in return he said, as you serve them, the people will become a servant and a slave to you.
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In other words, the ruler and the ruled would each develop a servant's heart. Thus, as government serves the people by obeying God's law and seeking their liberty and their freedom, the people then will seek to establish that civil ruler and that type of civil government because it blesses them and serves them and benefits them. So the counsel of the old men is you serve them, they'll serve you.
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You do what's right and they're going to do what's right. Very quickly, look at the counsel of the young men. "And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions."
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Now, I want you to notice what they advised and counseled him to answer. "My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins."
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Now, just think of the thigh. My little finger is going to be thicker than my father's thigh. Where he laid you heavy with yoke, I'm going to add to it. He may have beat you with whips, I'm going to beat you with scorpions. This proverbial expression, "My little finger shall be thicker than my father's thigh," expresses the fact that Rehoboam was saying that my power and my authority is going to so far exceed what my father did to you, you won't believe what I'm going to do to you. I'm going to employ every bit of my power to make sure you do exactly what I say to you.
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So the answer that the young men gave is the answer of force, tyranny, and despotism. In other words, Rehoboam was saying to the people, I have the power. I have the authority. I'm going to make you know it. I'm going to make you feel it. I'm going to make you sense it. I'm going to make you suffer under it. And there's not one thing you can do about it. Rehoboam was proud, arrogant, and stupid.
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Much like modern day politicians. His attitude was, I have as much and more absolute power over you and your persons and your goods than my father ever had, and I can force you to do my will. The counsel of the young men was rash, it was humanistic, it was tyrannical, as well as unbiblical. Let me make one statement. God has never ordained a tyrannical form of government.
#55 | 45:04 to 45:33 | cleaned
All you have to do is read Romans 13. Read 1 Peter 2. God has never ordained a tyrannical, despotic form of government. That is not God's government. God has only ordained a government that is going to be obedient to Him. That's what He said in Romans 13. It will be His servant and it will serve His people. Well, Rehoboam of course followed the young men's counsel and the young men's advice.
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And when he sought to apply his usurped authority, he was in for a surprise. Let's skip down to verse 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."
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In other words, they separated. They said, you think you're going to force us. You think you're going to rule over us. You think your little finger is going to be thicker than your father's. You just think that. We don't need you. We don't want you. Watch verse 17. "But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them." Yeah, they didn't leave. Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram,
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who was over the tribute, the tax collector. He sent the official royal tax collector. He was going to force Israel to pay his taxes. "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." Isn't that amazing? They knew how to take care of the tax collector when the tax collector was coming from a tyrant. I hope you know that even the war of northern aggression had an aspect of taxes and Lincoln was going to try to collect those taxes even in lawfully seceded states. Inevitably, invariably, each tyrant will learn his lesson and meet his demise.
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God has not given His people over to be slandered, sheared, and slain. You remember what He said in Zechariah 2 in verse 8, "He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye." It's the younger generation, or Scripture says it's another generation, that has arisen and does not know or understand the biblical principles of government, neither do they possess a biblical worldview. The average young person today, the average young person, the average educated young person, has a humanistic worldview and is humanistic to the core. They do not understand biblical principles. They do not understand biblical law.
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Some of you may have seen this. This was I know on the internet, probably on TV. I don't watch TV hardly, so I don't know if it's on TV or not, but I know it's all over the internet. But recently, one such young man who was a liberal, he's reported to be a star blogger or whatever that is. A star blogger, Ezra Klein, stated—I heard him with my own ears, I saw him—he said that the Constitution, talking about the United States Constitution, the Constitution has no binding power on anything and it is confusing because it's over 100 years old. It's amazing how much nonsense and stupidity is easily and clearly and quickly revealed by liberals. What Klein and those like him meant by that is this: We don't like the view that the Founding Fathers had in mind when they established the Constitution.
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What we want to do is change everything according to our plans and what we think. That's what they mean. The Constitution is not confusing. The problem is no one reads it or heeds it or obeys it. You know when they read the Constitution in Congress the other day? That was probably the first time many of them had ever heard it read or even seen it. And some of those that participated in the reading of it
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were so smirky and so—their whole attitude is, we don't need this. Wow. Let me try to give you just one quick illustration. And I'm going to ask the question, shall we listen to the old men or shall we listen to the young men? Or I'm going to ask it like this, shall we listen to our founding fathers or shall we listen to modern-day politicians? I'm going to give you just one example. The example I'm going to take is the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Let me just read to you the Second Amendment. Here it is.
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"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Now what I want to do is this. I'm going to give you a quote by some of the old men or the founding fathers. Then I'm going to give you a quote by some of the new men or young men or the modern day politicians. And I want to just compare the attitude, the knowledge, and the wisdom between the old men and the young men. Okay, then we'll close with a few choice quotes from some of the founding fathers.
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So we're talking about the Second Amendment. Again, the Second Amendment says, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." The first quote is from George Mason in 1788. He said, and I quote, "To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them." What is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials.
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Ah, here's the young man, Senator Barack Obama, 2008: "Americans may own guns for the purpose of hunting and target shooting. There's an individual right to bear arms, but it's subject to common sense regulation." Here's Thomas Jefferson, 1776: "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." Here's Senator Hillary Clinton, 2008: "I would also work to reinstate the assault weapons ban." Noah Webster, 1787: "Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed." President Bill Clinton, 1997, said, and I quote, "Assault weapons in the hands of civilians exist for no reason but to inspire fear and wreak deadly havoc on our streets." What? Sam Adams, 1788, said, "The said Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."
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And yet, Representative Carolyn McCarthy said, "You want an assault rifle? Join the Army." Patrick Henry said, "The militia is our ultimate safety. We can have no security without it. The great object is that every man be armed." And then the illustrious Senator Dianne Feinstein said in 1993, "Banning guns addresses a fundamental right of all Americans to feel safe." How stupid. William Pitt in 1783 said, "Necessity is the plea of every infringement of human freedom.
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"It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves." And yet Senator Chuck Schumer said, "We're going to hammer guns on the anvil of relentless legislative strategy. We're going to beat guns into submission." And then the noted Representative Henry Waxman said, "If someone is so fearful that they're going to start using their weapons to protect their rights, it makes me very nervous that these people have weapons at all."
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Well, why do you think our founding fathers gave us the right to keep and bear arms? Benjamin Franklin said, "A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins." Let me give you a few good quotes. This one, of course, is by John Trenchard, who died in 1723. He said, "To avoid domestic tyranny, the people must be armed to stand upon their own defense, which if they are unable to do, they shall never be put upon it.
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"But their swords may grow rusty in their hands, for that nation is surest to live in peace that is capable of making war, and a man that hath a sword by his side shall have at least occasion to make use of it." Noah Webster said, "Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any body of regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States."
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Like Joshua of old, as for me and my house, I prefer to listen to the counsel of the old men and not the young. If you listen to the counsel of the young men and the young politicians, you may never live to be an old man. I prefer the truth of God and the truths that were set forth by our founding fathers. Just a couple of quick applications, the first one is this: The way to rule is to serve. To do good, to stoop to become all things to all men, and so win their hearts. Those who sit the most safely in power and authority are those who serve with a genuine heart of a servant. Our Lord, who had the absolute power and absolute authority, said this, "Behold, I am among you as he that serveth." The way to rule is to serve.
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The second application is this: The old ways, the old men, the old counsel are by far superior to the younger humanistic and idolatrous generation. God has set before us the way of life and the way of death. We have to choose which way we must walk. And I pray that we'll choose life. One more time, Jeremiah 6, verse 16: "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, wherein is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein." If you refuse to walk in God's ways, you will find death and destruction. The old ways and the old counsel will lead you into life and happiness.
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Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we bow to Thee. We thank You for Your Word and for Your truth. Lord, I pray especially for our young people today, Lord, that You would help them to avoid the sins and the mistakes and the errors that their parents and grandparents made. Give them a willing heart and a listening heart and an obedient heart. Lord, those of us who are old, we need to hear and listen and be willing to learn and obey as well. I pray, Father, that You'd speak to Your people in this country, Lord, that You would give us repentance and give us faith and give us obedience. And once again, restore our dominion. And we do pray, Father, for the overthrow of tyranny and despotism and wickedness. And ask, Father, that Jesus Christ would be exalted and honored and glorified in our lives. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T22:06:46Z

Shall We Listen to our Founding Fathers?

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

John Weaver contrasts the counsel of old men and young men in 1 Kings 12, where Rehoboam rejects the servant-leadership advice of the elders and follows the tyrannical counsel of his peers, leading to the division of Israel. He applies this to modern America, arguing that the biblical, servant-oriented principles of the Founding Fathers are being abandoned by contemporary politicians who embrace humanistic, despotic governance. The sermon urges a return to the 'old paths' of God's law and the wisdom of the aged.

Introduction: The Question of Counsel

Scripture Reading — 1 Kings 12:1-17

"And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king."

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 12:1-17

The passage is read, recounting Rehoboam's succession, the people's request for lighter burdens, his consultation with old and young counselors, and his harsh response leading to Israel's rebellion.

Scripture Reading — 1 Kings 12:1-17

"And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) that they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed. 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? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. 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." "And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; 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. 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. 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. But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them."

The Principle of Wisdom with Age

Scripture Reading — Job 32:5-9

"And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled. And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old."

Biblical Mandate to Honor the Aged

Using Leviticus 19:32 and Proverbs 16:31, Weaver teaches that God commands respect for the elderly, tying it to the fear of the Lord, and notes that the 'gray head' symbolizes wisdom.

The Book of Proverbs chapter 17 in verse 6 says this:

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 17:6

"Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers."

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 16:31

So age is one thing. Age with godliness and righteousness is quite another thing. In other words, God is saying that double honor is to be given to an aged individual that has been holy and godly and righteous all of their lives. You see, the Bible says in Proverbs 20 and verse 29, "The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head." One of the things that makes old men beautiful is the wisdom that comes with age. The gray head, listen carefully, or the gray beard, is a sign of age and wisdom. The interesting thing is this, the word "age" in the Hebrew in Proverbs 20 and verse 29 is the word "zaqen," which literally means a bearded one. That's what it means, a bearded one.

Rehoboam's Foolishness and the Covenantal Context

Weaver explains that Rehoboam, though son of Solomon, was a fool, and that Israel's kings ruled under covenant with God and the people, not absolute power, as seen in 2 Samuel 5:3 and 2 Kings 11:17.

Scripture Reading — Hosea 4:10

"It is said in Hosea 4:10, 'They shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase.' Sin is a bad way of building up a family. Rehoboam was the son of the wisest of men, yet he did not inherit his father's wisdom. And then it stood him in little stead to inherit his father's throne. Neither wisdom nor grace runs in the blood. Solomon came to the crown very young, yet he was then a wise man. Rehoboam came to the crown at 40 years old when a man will be wise if he ever will, yet he was then foolish. Wisdom does not go by age, nor is it in the multitude of years, nor the advantage of education that reaches it. Solomon's court was a mart of wisdom and the rendezvous of learned men, and Rehoboam was the darling of that court, and yet all was not sufficient to make him a wise man. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong."

The Counsel of the Old Men: Servant Leadership

Scripture Reading — Romans 13:4

"For he is the minister of God to thee for good." "But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."

I've told you repeatedly that the word "servant," or "minister" there, is the word "diakonos," that's where we get our English word "deacon,

Scripture Reading — Romans 13:4

" and it literally means servant. So he says, for he is the deacon of God, or he is the servant of God. He says that twice in verse 4.

The Counsel of the Young Men: Tyranny and Force

The young men counseled Rehoboam to threaten greater oppression, boasting 'my little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.' Weaver condemns this as humanistic, unbiblical despotism.

The Consequences and Modern Application

God has not given His people over to be slandered, sheared, and slain. You remember what He said in Zechariah 2 in verse 8,

Scripture Reading — Zechariah 2:8

"He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye."

Conclusion: Choose the Old Paths

Weaver exhorts listeners to follow the old ways and the counsel of the aged, citing Jeremiah 6:16, and closes with prayer for repentance and restoration of biblical governance.

Shall We Listen to our Founding Fathers?

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	102162144107
Subject	Civil Government
Course	Civil Government: Magistracy, Authority, and Romans 13: Christian & Civil Government
Genre	Sermon
Date	2011-01-16
Dictation Name
Book	Book 008: Civil Government: Magistracy, Authority, and Romans 13 — Chapter 14
Source Timed Segments	73

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: The Question of Counsel: Weaver introduces the sermon's title and subtitle, framing the message around whether to listen to old men (founding fathers) or young men (modern politicians), using 1 Kings 12 as the foundational text.
Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 12:1-17: The passage is read, recounting Rehoboam's succession, the people's request for lighter burdens, his consultation with old and young counselors, and his harsh response leading to Israel's rebellion.
The Principle of Wisdom with Age: Weaver asserts that wisdom generally comes with age, though not universally, citing personal experience and Job 32:5-9 where Elihu corrects older men, emphasizing that godly age deserves double honor.
Biblical Mandate to Honor the Aged: Using Leviticus 19:32 and Proverbs 16:31, Weaver teaches that God commands respect for the elderly, tying it to the fear of the Lord, and notes that the 'gray head' symbolizes wisdom.
Rehoboam's Foolishness and the Covenantal Context: Weaver explains that Rehoboam, though son of Solomon, was a fool, and that Israel's kings ruled under covenant with God and the people, not absolute power, as seen in 2 Samuel 5:3 and 2 Kings 11:17.
The Counsel of the Old Men: Servant Leadership: The old men advised Rehoboam to be a servant (ebed) to the people, promising their loyalty in return. Weaver argues this reflects the biblical view of civil rulers as ministers of God for good (Romans 13:4).
The Counsel of the Young Men: Tyranny and Force: The young men counseled Rehoboam to threaten greater oppression, boasting 'my little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.' Weaver condemns this as humanistic, unbiblical despotism.
The Consequences and Modern Application: Rehoboam's rejection of wise counsel led to Israel's secession. Weaver parallels this to modern America, contrasting Founding Fathers' views on the Second Amendment with contemporary politicians' anti-gun rhetoric.
Conclusion: Choose the Old Paths: Weaver exhorts listeners to follow the old ways and the counsel of the aged, citing Jeremiah 6:16, and closes with prayer for repentance and restoration of biblical governance.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Age and Wisdom Are Generally Correlated

While not absolute, wisdom typically comes with age and experience, and God commands honor for the elderly, especially those who are righteous.

Weaver says, 'It is true that wisdom comes with age... The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness' (Proverbs 16:31).

Rehoboam's Foolishness Was Despite His Heritage

Rehoboam, son of the wisest king, was a fool, proving that wisdom is not inherited and that even those raised in a wise court can reject sound counsel.

Weaver quotes Matthew Henry: 'Rehoboam was the son of the wisest of men, yet he did not inherit his father's wisdom... Wisdom does not go by age.'

Civil Rulers Are to Be Servants, Not Masters

The biblical model for government is servant-leadership, where rulers serve God by serving the people and obeying His law, not by lording authority over them.

Weaver states, 'The old men counseled the king to become a slave or a servant to the people... God ordained civil ruler to be a servant, His servant' and cites Romans 13:4.

Tyranny Is a Result of Rejecting God's Law

When rulers abandon God's law and embrace humanistic, despotic principles, they become tyrants. The young men's counsel to Rehoboam exemplifies this unbiblical approach.

Weaver says, 'The counsel of the young men was rash, it was humanistic, it was tyrannical, as well as unbiblical. God has never ordained a tyrannical form of government.'

The People Have a Right to Resist Tyranny

When Rehoboam threatened greater oppression, Israel justly separated from his rule. This principle of interposition is seen as applicable to modern resistance against unconstitutional government.

Weaver notes, 'They separated. They said, you think you're going to force us... We don't need you. We don't want you.'

Modern Politicians Reject the Founding Fathers' Wisdom

Contemporary leaders dismiss the Constitution and the principles of limited government, advocating for gun control and centralized power, in stark contrast to the Founders' intent.

Weaver quotes Ezra Klein: 'the Constitution has no binding power on anything and it is confusing because it's over 100 years old,' and contrasts Founding Fathers' quotes on arms with modern politicians' statements.

The 'Old Paths' Lead to Life and Rest

Jeremiah 6:16 is the key verse: God calls His people to ask for the old paths and walk in them to find rest. Rejecting these paths leads to death and destruction.

Weaver quotes Jeremiah 6:16 multiple times and concludes, 'If you refuse to walk in God's ways, you will find death and destruction. The old ways and the old counsel will lead you into life and happiness.'

Scripture References

1 Kings 12:1-17: The primary text of the sermon, detailing Rehoboam's succession, the people's request, the counsel of old and young men, and the division of Israel.
Job 32:5-9: Elihu, though young, corrects older men, showing that wisdom is not always with the aged but comes from the Spirit of God.
Joel 1:1-3: Old men are commanded to tell their children and grandchildren about God's judgments, emphasizing the role of the aged in passing down knowledge.
Proverbs 17:6: Children's children are the crown of old men, highlighting the blessing of grandchildren and the honor of family lineage.
Leviticus 19:32: God commands rising before the gray head and honoring the old man, tying respect for the aged to the fear of the Lord.
Proverbs 16:31: The gray head is a crown of glory if found in the way of righteousness, indicating that godly age deserves double honor.
Proverbs 20:29: The glory of young men is their strength, and the beauty of old men is the gray head, with 'age' (zaqen) meaning 'bearded one,' symbolizing wisdom.
1 Timothy 3:6: A pastor must not be a novice, lest he fall into pride; maturity (being a 'bearded one' in the faith) is a qualification for eldership.
Hosea 4:10: Quoted by Matthew Henry: 'They shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase,' illustrating that sin does not build up a family, as seen in Solomon's few offspring.
2 Kings 11:17: Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord, the king, and the people, showing the covenantal nature of Israel's monarchy.
2 Samuel 5:3: David made a covenant (league) with the elders of Israel before being anointed king, demonstrating rule by consent of the governed.
1 Kings 11:29-33: Ahijah prophesies the division of the kingdom, giving ten tribes to Jeroboam because of Solomon's idolatry, the root cause of the burdens.
1 Kings 11:40: Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam, who fled to Egypt, explaining why Jeroboam was summoned from Egypt in 1 Kings 12.
1 Kings 11:37-38: God promises Jeroboam a sure house if he obeys God's commands and walks in His ways, showing the conditional nature of God's blessing on rulers.
2 Samuel 23:1-3: David's last words, inspired by the Spirit, declare that one who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
2 Samuel 5:12: David perceived that God exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel, not for David's personal benefit.
1 Peter 5:2-3: Pastors are to shepherd the flock willingly, not as lords over God's heritage but as examples, paralleling the servant-leadership required of civil rulers.
Romans 13:4: The civil ruler is the minister (diakonos, servant) of God for good, an avenger to execute wrath on evildoers, establishing the servant role of government.
Zechariah 2:8: He who touches God's people touches the apple of His eye, indicating divine protection against tyranny.
Jeremiah 6:16: The key application verse: God calls His people to ask for the old paths, the good way, and walk in it to find rest, but they refused.

Historical References

Rehoboam and the Division of Israel: The biblical account of Rehoboam's foolish rejection of wise counsel, leading to the secession of the ten northern tribes under Jeroboam.
Solomon's Idolatry and Heavy Burdens: Solomon's many wives led him into idolatry, which resulted in oppressive taxation and forced labor, setting the stage for the kingdom's division.
Jeroboam's Flight to Egypt: After Ahijah's prophecy, Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam, who fled to Shishak king of Egypt until Solomon's death.
Founding Fathers on the Second Amendment: Quotes from George Mason, Thomas Jefferson, Noah Webster, Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, and Benjamin Franklin affirming the right to bear arms as a safeguard against tyranny.
Modern Politicians on Gun Control: Statements from Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Carolyn McCarthy, Dianne Feinstein, Chuck Schumer, and Henry Waxman advocating for gun restrictions, contrasted with the Founders.
Ezra Klein's Statement on the Constitution: A modern liberal blogger claimed the Constitution has no binding power and is confusing because it is over 100 years old, exemplifying the rejection of founding principles.
Reading of the Constitution in Congress: Weaver mentions the recent reading of the Constitution in Congress, noting the smirking attitude of some members, indicating disdain for the document.
John Trenchard (d. 1723): Quoted on the necessity of an armed populace to avoid domestic tyranny, stating that a nation capable of war is surest to live in peace.

Important Quotes

If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.

This is the counsel of the old men, encapsulating the biblical principle of servant-leadership in government, which Weaver contrasts with the tyrannical advice of the young men.

My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.

The boastful, tyrannical response of the young men, representing the humanistic, despotic approach to rule that Rehoboam foolishly adopted.

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, wherein is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

The central application verse of the sermon, calling for a return to the wisdom of the past and obedience to God's ways.

To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them.

George Mason's quote, used to illustrate the Founding Fathers' understanding of the Second Amendment as a bulwark against tyranny.

The old men viewed civil government and the civil ruler as the servant and slave of the people. The young men viewed the people as a servant and slave of the civil government and the civil ruler.

Weaver's summary of the fundamental difference between the biblical, founding-era view of government and the modern, humanistic view.

God has never ordained a tyrannical form of government.

A clear theological assertion that any government acting tyrannically is not acting under God's legitimate authority.

The way to rule is to serve.

The first application, summarizing the biblical principle of servant-leadership exemplified by Christ and the old men's counsel.

If you listen to the counsel of the young men and the young politicians, you may never live to be an old man.

A stark warning that rejecting the wisdom of the aged and the Founders leads to destruction and loss of liberty.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

In what ways does our society today show a lack of respect for the wisdom and authority of the aged, and how can we counter that trend biblically?

[Context]

Weaver emphasizes the biblical command to honor the elderly (Leviticus 19:32) and notes that one of our leading problems is a lack of respect for the aged.

[Question]

How does the covenantal nature of Israel's monarchy (2 Kings 11:17; 2 Samuel 5:3) inform our understanding of the relationship between rulers and the governed today?

[Context]

Weaver explains that kings ruled by covenant with God and the people, not by absolute power, and that the people had a duty to remind the king of that covenant.

[Question]

Why is it significant that the Israelites complained about the symptoms (heavy taxes) rather than the root cause (idolatry), and how does this apply to modern political issues?

[Context]

Weaver points out that the burdens under Solomon were a result of idolatry, but the people only complained about the taxes, not the sin that caused them.

[Question]

What does it mean for a civil ruler to be a 'servant' (ebed) of the people, and how does this contrast with modern views of government power?

[Context]

The old men counseled Rehoboam to be a servant to the people, and Weaver argues this is the biblical model, with rulers as ministers of God for good (Romans 13:4).

[Question]

How do the Founding Fathers' statements on the right to bear arms reflect a biblical worldview, and why do modern politicians reject that perspective?

[Context]

Weaver contrasts quotes from George Mason, Thomas Jefferson, and others with modern politicians' calls for gun control, framing the Second Amendment as a safeguard against tyranny.

[Question]

What are the 'old paths' that Jeremiah 6:16 refers to, and how can we practically 'ask for' and 'walk in' them today?

[Context]

Weaver repeatedly cites Jeremiah 6:16 as the key application, urging a return to the old ways of God's law and the wisdom of the Founders.

[Question]

In what ways can the church model servant-leadership as described in 1 Peter 5:2-3, and how does that contrast with tyrannical leadership in both church and state?

[Context]

Weaver parallels the pastor's role as a servant, not a lord, to the civil ruler's role, emphasizing leadership by example and not by force.

[Question]

How should Christians respond when civil government becomes tyrannical, based on the example of Israel's separation from Rehoboam and the principles of interposition?

[Context]

Weaver notes that Israel justly separated from Rehoboam when he threatened greater oppression, and he implies that similar resistance may be warranted against modern tyranny.

Applications

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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T13:48:49Z