Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
This passage of scripture teaches us the very important lesson of counseling together on matters that are of general import to every believer, once the counsel can be certified by the scriptures. It's very essential that we do not misinterpret this text to mean the majority opinion, or that which is popular, for the "Counselors" here spoken of, are godly persons who make decisions not based on their own preferences and biases, but who cumulatively arrive at conclusions based on what God has plainly spoken. When the Jews desired to condemn and crucify Christ, it was the majority of supposedly godly men who together arrived at that conclusion, but although the "Multitude" of them agreed on the plot to kill Christ, yet their decisions were not condoned by the scriptures, in any way, shape, or form. Let's read:
Mark 15:8 And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. 9 But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 11 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. 12 And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? 13 And they cried out again, Crucify him. 14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.
The "Multitude of counselors" spoken of in the passage in proverbs, must therefore be of a completely different sort, for the word of God is always to reign supreme, wherever serious decisions are to be made. A prime example of what the Bible is referring to can be found in the experience of the disciples after the day of Pentecost, when thousands of believers were being added to the church daily. In the heat of the moment some of the Grecian brethren were neglected in the daily ministrations, and so "The multitude of counselors", consisting of all the people together with the disciples, convened a general meeting, so that under God, the situation could be resolved with sound, scriptural decision making. Let's read:
Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch.
This decision not to allow the feeding of the multitude to distract the disciples from the work of spreading the gospel was scripturally based, and therefore the multitude of counselors remained within the context of Christ's instructions on this very point. Let's read:
Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying,7 As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
In our own experiences, it is good and acceptable in the sight of God for brethren to counsel together, under the direction of the word of God, and The Holy Spirit so, that the decisions that are arrived at would both glorify God and edify the multitude of believers. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to do just that, for the blessings of God rest upon decisions that are made by the "Multitude of counselors", who are guided by Him. Let's read:
Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
May God add His blessing to the study and doing of His word. "Good night" and God bless!