A request for a lighter load
When Rehoboam was king, the people came to him with a sincere request: “Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.” (2 Chron 10:4)
The elders who had served his father advised him to be kind to the people and speak good words to them, and “they will be your servants forever” (2 Chron 10:7). Rehoboam rejected their advice. Perhaps he took the people’s words as a challenge, and in his ego wanted to thwart it.
In response to their plea for help, he wanted to do the opposite of what they asked: “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!” (2 Chron 10:14). His answer was rough and unempathetic.
When we’re the ones being asked
I have seen something similar at work. Some colleagues of mine went one by one to their boss with concerns about how their supervisor treated them. She brushed each concern away and defended the supervisor, and in her manner of speaking seemed to suggest they were all wrong, appearing more defensive the more people raised this up. I have also heard another boss talking about pushing a vendor harder, wanting to scream at them to make them move more. If you say the work is hard, I will make life worse for you!
We don’t need to be the boss to do this. A junior colleague asks for an extended deadline, or an intern still doesn’t understand, and it can be easy to lose patience. There are also times that we are so desperate to be right, or so afraid to see the work impacted, that we neglect the sincerity and the person behind a request.
Responding with compassion
That’s not to say that the right answer is always to lighten the load. Sometimes it’s not realistic or possible, and it takes wisdom to tell a sincere request from someone trying to get out of things. But we can only tell the difference if we practise patience and listen. We can pause and ask why they are asking in the first place, instead of losing an opportunity to practise empathy.
Rehoboam rejected the counsel that chose kindness and compassion; what he wanted was to use his power to make himself greater while others suffered beneath him (2 Chron 10:8, 10).
Perhaps he was concerned with the kingdom’s gain, just as we may be concerned with a project’s progression. But what if there was a way that could help the work move well without placing such a heavy burden on the people?
Jesus’ encouragement
Even in Jesus’ time, there were leaders who lorded over others. Jesus told His disciples—and us today, “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.” (Mark 10:42-43)
If we find ourselves in Rehoboam’s shoes, we can respond as a wise servant would, considering their request with a heart of humility and compassion. Then we shall shine the light of Christ.
Reflection questions
Think of the last time someone at work asked you for more time, more help, or yet another explanation. How did you respond?
Who is one person at work you can serve this week, and what is one concrete thing you will do for them?
Think of a time your own request at work was brushed off. How did it affect how you worked afterwards, and has it shaped the way you answer your colleagues?
