2nd Chronicles 10:7-8. “And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever. But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.” THE CLASH OF GENERATIONS. They gathered together at the king’s command. Faces lined with the road-maps of years of experience, Watched the smooth-faced, spoiled young leader – and hoped. Hoped he had learned something from his father that would guide him. Hoped he would understand his limitations and needs; Hoped he would learn from them the lessons of history. Hoped he has some common sense and would avoid the nonsense Of a group of childhood friends who had not learned any lessons at all – Who had gotten all they wanted in times of prosperity and plenty – Who had never been made to act responsibly for any serious reason. Who had answers to problems they had never in their lives faced. Who thought they knew how to control the people of the older generation. Who thought life was measured by material possession and passing pleasure.
The older ones who knew the people of the older generation and had watched the antics of the new –
The older ones who had worked hard all their lives and paid huge taxes so the young could play – The older ones whose hands were calloused and whose backs were bent from hard labor – The older ones who had paid their own way through the good times and the hard times – The older ones who knew people and knew the value of genuine compassion – The older ones who appreciated what they were allowed to get and keep for themselves – The older ones who knew that words fitly spoken were like “apples of gold in pitchers of silver”– They hoped for a listening ear and acts of grace and kindness from the next generation. But what they got then, as now, was a deaf ear to their words of wisdom. A blind eye as to the results of unparalleled spending on credit – A hard heart as to the appeals of those who labored to bring peace and plenty – A sneering mouth, that without words, indicated the low esteem he felt for others – Harsh words that came from soft lips that always had their food handed to them – A clenched fist made from a soft hand that never had blisters or was dirty with honest labor – A kick from a hard-toed boot that covers sun-tanned feet that moved only for pleasure.
The generations are divided: who is at fault? The old: for not expecting more from the young? The young for not having faced life as it really is in their formative years? Both: for not having faced earlier the widening gap between their generations? Does this have to be repeated by every generation that comes – is their no hope? Only One! “Seek ye the Lord, while He may be found,” “Remember now thy Creator, in the days of thy youth.”
“O God, there is no doubt a wide gap that exists between me and the next generation. They don’t know yet, but there will be a wide one between them and their pleasure- taught children. They will soon face the dilemma of a jaded generation. Help me to keep the lines of communication open. O God, have mercy on us all! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”