Proverbs 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.
This passage of scripture teaches us the solemn truth, that only godly counsel can make all the difference, when we are faced with challenges and perplexities which seem to have no resolve. The sound judgment, equity, justice and wisdom, mentioned in the passage are all members of the same spiritual family, springing forth from counsel that is born of God. In the life of the Christian, Christ must be first, front, and center of all our everyday experiences, and His word must also be adopted and implemented on a daily basis, in order for godly counsel to be our personal experience.
Now, it is true that we cannot see God with our naked eyes, and often when we are faced with difficulties, we must of necessity obtain advice from a human agent. This is all well and good, but what the Lord advises us to do in situations such as these, is to seek Him first, by having Him take the lead, and then if a human agent is necessary to round out the picture, then He will direct us whom to go to.
This method of dealing with problems is of critical importance, for it is often the case, that when trials knock on our doors, we rush to the human agent first and leave God for last, only after we have run into deeper trouble from following advice that did not originate with God. This scenario we are especially warned of in the scriptures, lest in following ungodly counsel, the enemy of souls is able to lead us imperceptibly into to dangerous paths, which can then cost us more than we are willing to pay, and take us further than we are willing to go. Let's read:
Proverbs 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: 31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. 33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
(Selected Messages Book 3 pp. 300) Those who are not connected with God are connected with the enemy of God, and while they may be honest in the advice they give, they themselves are blinded and deceived. Satan puts suggestions into the mind and words into the mouth that are entirely contrary to the mind and will of God. Thus he works through them to allure us into false paths. He will mislead, entangle, and ruin us if he can.
This is exactly what took place when king Rehoboam was faced with the prospect of a divided kingdom, and needed urgent counsel to decide which course of action to pursue. In this rare instance he chose to go with the advice of his younger, inexperienced friends, instead of the godly counsel of the aged men, who cautioned him to deal with the situation and the people in a kindly manner, in order to diffuse the already agitated state of affairs which had obtained in his kingdom. And so, instead of soothing the frayed nerves of the people, he decided to follow the ungodly counsel of his buddies, and added oil to the flames by issuing a blistering speech on how he would rule with an iron fist. This counsel did not fail to produce the adverse results which followed, because the laws of cause and effect are often left to run their natural course. Let's read:
1st Kings 12:6 And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men".... "and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? 7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. 8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men"... 10 And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee"... "My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. 11 And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
This rash action by the king was the beginning of the rending of the kingdom of Israel, with ten tribes going to the north under his rival Jeroboam, and two to the south, under his jurisdiction. It is therefore of critical importance that when we are in the valley of decision, and are faced with difficulties and challenges to which we may not know how to respond, that first of all we seek God for guidance and direction, so that if any human agent is to be used as a conduit for counsel, he or she would have had God's approval, so that we can avoid making unnecessary, and crucial mistakes.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which advises us to trust in the wisdom of The Almighty God, and not lean unto our own misunderstanding, for the ways of The Lord are right, and whosoever walks in them shall dwell in safety. Let's read:
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!