In Proverbs, chapter fifteen, verse twenty-two, “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” The book of Proverbs frequently emphasizes the wisdom of seeking the counsel of others regarding our plans and purposes. Another verse in Proverbs eleven, verse fourteen, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” To counsel is to guide, which everyone needs when they have ideas to do something that may require a lot of time, effort, and resources. For believers, anything they desire to do for the Lord will need guidance from God Himself and may need the involvement of fellow believers who serve Him in spirit and truth.
Today, many people have gone on with their plans and purposes only to experience loss, ruin, and setback. These life experiments continue to occur because individuals went ahead without counsel. There is an old saying, “Look both ways before you cross the street.” If you look only one way and not the other, there is a possibility you might get hurt. The same principle applies when attempting to achieve something bigger in life.
For believers, who pray or have a prayer life, read, and study God’s Word, will receive counsel from the Lord and also direction from fellow-believers whom the Lord may direct them to for counselling and guidance upon major life decisions.
Moses was the first to receive counsel in the Old Testament from Jethro, his father-in-law, in verses seventeen to nineteen of Exodus eighteen. “And Moses’ father-in-law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God.”
Jethro was referring to how Moses handled the issues for the people, whom God led out of Egypt. To find out how his son-in-law sat to judge the people alone from morning until evening, as in Exodus eighteen, verse thirteen.