Proverbs Pt. 47 Good Counsel contrasted with a Fool's Counsel.

 

Wise counsel is very much needed. 

Proverbs 11:14  Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 

This is one subject that comes up many times in the book of Proverbs so in this case, I think we can understand it best by grouping all these texts together. The subject is good counsel for God's people. 

As King, Solomon certainly had many counsellors and advisors within his administration. Some where military advisors, some functioned like project managers, some were financial advisors and some were judges regarding legal matters. Most important were the spiritual advisors like the Levites and scribes. He certainly knew the value of having good advice from wise people and this is at the heart of these texts. 

Solomon brought a sound principle before us when he stated that people fall where there is no counsel. The word "counsel" means one who gives good advice, wise counsel, sound guidance and Godly direction in this case for those who lead God's people. 

We live suspended between two worlds, heaven and earth. We live in the physical here and now but we are going to spend eternity with God in heaven. This teaches us that how we live each day really is important as we navigate through life doing our daily tasks. 

This tells us that we need practical guidance for daily living as well as spiritual guidance, so that we might honor God and seek to please Him in all things.  This is the idea of having both civic and spiritual leaders who know God and who will show us the right paths to walk on in every aspect of life. 

Fools provide evil counsel. 

Proverbs 12:20  Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

Here is a simple contrast between a wise man and one who does not fear God. The fool spends his time thinking evil thoughts and imagining how to be deceitful in his dealings with other people. However, those who are wise serve as counsellors to give wholesome guidance to the people that they serve. As a result of seeking wisdom from God they enjoy peace with God and man. 

Proverbs 15:22  Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

I think this text points out the difference of a foolish person who is reactionary instead of being a planner. I worked for a supervisor once who was very reactionary. When something unexpected occurred he would swiftly react but his actions were not well thought out and sometimes they were very significant, unintended consequences. It was as if he was winging it, instead of thinking about an appropriate response. 

Thus, if a project of some sort is begun without planning  it will probably not have a very successful outcome. 

The opposite of "winging it" is thinking and planning and seeking good advice from other experienced people. Personal, vocational and civic projects can be more successful if several people with the right experience are permitted to share their wisdom. Thus, a wise king will seek input from various trusted advisors to determine the best course of action. 

Solomon's son followed bad counsel.

1 Kings 12:1-19  And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. 2) And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) 3) That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, 4) Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. 5) And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed. 6) And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, 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, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: 9) And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? 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, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, 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. 12) So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. 13) And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; 14) And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 15) Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 16) So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. 17) But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. 18) Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. 19) So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. 

This is a detailed narrative from the history of Israel during the period when they were ruled by kings. King Saul, King David and King Solomon ruled over a united kingdom known as Israel. This king Rehoboam was the son of Solomon and very likely the audience of all the teaching in the book of Proverbs. His father clearly instructed Rehoboam about the necessity of having wise counselors and the importance of not following the advice of anyone who was foolish or inexperienced. 

Rehoboam was made king and the people asked him what his policies would be like. In verses 6-8 Rehoboam asked the wise, older counsellors who served his father what he should tell the Jewish people. They gave him very good counsel but Rehoboam turned away from their wise words of good policy. 

Rehoboam listened to the advice of the young men, people he grew up with and knew. They were "know-it-all" young men who were grossly inexperienced in life. Their rash, foolish counsel was implemented and what followed was a national disaster. 

10 tribes rebelled against the king and would not serve him. Therefore, the nation Israel was divided into two kingdoms. Israel, composed of 10 tribes was larger in terms of geography and population. However, Judah and Jerusalem remained faithful to the kings of David's line. These two kingdoms fought against each other on numerous occasions and the entire nation was eventually taken over by enemies and the Jews deported into foreign captivity. 

Seek wise counsel from many sources.

Proverbs 24:6  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

We are reading what King Solomon actually  taught to his son who would later become king. This text is an excellent summary of what he attempted to communicate to Rehoboam. He should seek out many wise counsellors because there is safety in listening to many wise men. He would be able to formulate sound policies for the people and well reasoned strategies for war, if needed. 

Wisdom comes from the Word of God.

Proverbs 29:18  Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. 

It is true that if there is no vision the people perish. In corporate terms, this has to do with a Mission Statement and a Vision Statement that guide what the organization is seeking to do now, and in the future. I worked at a Fortune 500 company who had a tremendous CEO. This gentleman was a true visionary, seeing markets that our company could enter, getting the people around him to buy in to his vision, and then skillfully executing it. 

This illustrates to some degree the idea behind this text. God's people need to see and understand clearly what God is saying to us through His Word. This is the most important vision that we need for life. Wisdom from the Word of God will show us His holy standards. All born again believers will want to live a holy life because God is holy. He has called us to live a holy life so we do not bring dishonor upon His glorious name. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

This post is full of practical truth. Parents need to instruct their children in the wisdom of God like King Solomon did for his son. They may not always listen to us, but this is our solemn duty before God. 

Rehoboam had a clear choice: follow the wise advice of the older men who faithfully served his father, or follow the advice of foolish young men. Rehoboam chose to heed bad advice. However, we can choose wise advice founded upon God's truth. This is the place of blessing for the believer. 

How we choose to live our lives does matter to God. The following texts show us His heart and will for each child of God. The question before us is "Will we hear Him and obey?"

2 Corinthians 7:1  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

1 Thessalonians 4:7  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 

Hebrews 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 

1 Peter 1:15-16  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 

I pray that the Lord will speak to us and change us in any area of our lives where we need Him to transform us into being more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

Bob