“Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri. He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in doing wickedly. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done. For after the death of his father they were his counselors, to his undoing. He even followed their counsel and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to make war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead. And the Syrians wounded Joram.” 2 Chronicles 22:2-5
“Jeroboam… said to Rehoboam, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you.’ He said to them, ‘Go away for three days, then come again to me.’ So the people went away.
“Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was alive, saying, ‘How do you advise me to answer?’ And they said, ‘If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.’ But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him. He said to them, ‘What do you advise that we answer this people..?’ The young men said, ‘Thus shall you… say to them, “My little finger is thicker than my father’s thighs. And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.”’
“So Jeroboam came to Rehoboam the third day… And the king answered harshly.” 1 Kings 12:3-13
“The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.” Proverbs 12:5
Jehoram his father had set a terrible example, and it seemed king Ahaziah might consider his options, discern, and give wise response. Sadly, he refused his chance to set things right. Like king Rehoboam shunning his wise father Solomon’s counselors, he fell to the sway of bad advice. Behavior is determined by the counsel we value: biblical truth or worldly lies. (2 Chronicles 21:11-15)
Every day we make choices that have an impact on both our doing or our undoing. We might start well, but get pulled aside by enticements to power or prestige, or distracted off course by the niggling voice of pride. It is human tendency to blame others and circumstances when our nicely laid plans are undone, but we have a say. It behooves us to consider carefully how we walk, and determine to align our decisions with God’s word. (Ephesians 5:15-17)
Are we stewing in regret over poor choices and the painful consequences they’ve caused? Whom or what are we blaming for situations and messes for which we are at least partly responsible? Do right and repent, and ask God to redeem the relationships, situations, and failures for good.
Lord, reveal and forgive my culpability in undoing, and correct my doing unto Your will and glory.
As the rain and snow 