I am amazed that this is my 29th post on this blog and only my first Lord of the Rings reference. I love the trilogy and the biblical allusions within the Tolkien story. But I digress.
As I read chapter 10, I see what can happen when a leader is given bad advice. I think back to the Lord of the Rings - Return of the King. Remember poor Theoden, the King of Gondor? His advisor, Wormtongue, had King Theoden under his spell. Wormtongue constantly whispered harmful words and advice to the King. He had the ear of Theoden. And as a result, Gondor was growing weak and encapable of fighting the forces of Mordor. Wormtongue's bad advice was destroying Gondor.
In chapter 10, we find Nahash, King of Ammnon, has passed away. David apparently had good diplomatic relations with King Nahash. And in a gesture to Nahash's son, Hanun, David sends a delegation to offer his condolences. But just as King Theoden unwisely listened to Wormtongue, King Hanun heeds the bad advice of his noblemen. King Hanun is told that David is really sending spies to find the city's weaknesses to destroy it. Apparently, King Hanun had surrounded himself with the wrong people. I'm sure there were older men who had served his father that could confirm King David's strong relationship with the late King Nahash. But instead, young King Hanun chooses to listen to the wrong crowd. This bad advice leads King Hanun to humiliate David's delegation and sparks an unnnessary war.
Moral of the story? Be careful to whom you listen for words of advice. This is even more important when you are in a place of leadership - whether that be in the home, at work, at church, in government, or in your community. Let's face it. We all need words of advice at certain times of decision. But the wrong word of advice is just as dangerous as seeking no advice. Always test the advisor. Who is that person? Is he or she someone with integrity? What is their motivation? Do they have a dog in the fight? Is there an axe to grind? Does the advice line up with the Word of God? These are just some of the questions we must ask ourselves when someone (even a close friend) offers us "words of wisdom".
Be on the lookout for Wormtongue! He's a liar. He whispers in your ear words that may seem appealing to you at the time. Wormtongue is not just a movie character. He's very real. He's the father of lies. He comes in many different forms and persons. And he seeks to destroy everything that is of God.
Father, give me wisdom to discern when Satan comes to lie to me. Help me to recognize good counsel. And let me not be prideful when good counsel conflicts with my own desires and presumptions.
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