“Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little” (Isaiah 28:9, 10 KJV)
Likely, you have heard it said that there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors. Actually, I recently read it on a poster, which attributed the quote to three Bible texts: Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 24:6; and Proverbs 11:14. Proverbs 11:14, expressly says “Where no counsel [is], the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors [there is] safety” (KJVSD). I once believed this meant consulting with many people.
Nevertheless, the many counselors here referred to cannot be human advisers, as most would readily assume, unless their counsel agrees with the Word of God. The Bible says we must not put confidence in man, nor even in the princes of the world (Psalm 118:8, 9). And 1 Corinthians 2:6, states the wisdom of this world amounts to nothing. Of course, we have evidence in the Gospels that the Sanhedrin, a council of elders, is responsible for ordering the crucifixion of Jesus the Christ, the very Messiah or Deliverer for whom they claimed to be waiting. Obviously, such cannot be trusted.
That leaves divine wisdom. Divine wisdom is found in both the Old and New Testaments and, of course, inspired writings or counsel that agree with the Bible. In them may be found the many wise counselors that can be trusted and in which there is safety.
The prophet Isaiah instructs us on how to gain access to these many counselors. We must take a subject or theme of inquiry and search Scripture, comparing precepts: “here a little and there a little.” Here is how a full and accurate understanding is achieved on any subject. Here is where a concordance is essential. It directs the student to all the instances where the topic is discussed, beginning with one thematic word and branching out, as the Holy Spirit leads; and it provides definitions of words as used. Most essential, however, is prayerful submission to the Holy Spirit and prayerfully surrendering personal feelings, ideas and prejudices. Jesus promised that this “Spirit of truth” will guide us into all truth (John 16:13 KJV).
The truth is the Word of God. It is an exhaustless trove of “exceeding great and precious promises,” where one may dig as for hidden gold and emerge with the mind of God: a “divine nature” according 2 Peter 1:4, in the New Testament. And in the Old Testament, God reveals one of those promises in Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” You can’t get any better than that!
In the very first book of the Bible reportedly ever written, Job asks the question, “Where shall wisdom be found?” He later declares that “the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding” (Job 28:12, 28 KJV). Hebrews 11:7, describes that fear of the LORD as reverence or faith, which leads to obedience. It is what led Noah to obey God to build an ark of safety from a flood, when it had never before rained. That was wisdom in action and it led to safety. Proverbs 8, provides a full chapter discussion on the subject of wisdom. And Hebrews 11 is the New Testament version of what wisdom looks like in man.
But Hebrews 10:35 and 36, guides us in securing all of God’s precious promises. It is in standing firm upon the wisdom the Holy Spirit has revealed, no matter how dim the circumstances. Consider the circumstances of Noah and the end result.
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:35, 36). Here is that wisdom among the many counselors, which can be trusted.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. I desire to be wise in Your sight. Thank You for promising to guide me with Your eye. Please bless me to daily experience receiving Your guidance and confidently standing firm on Your promises, with patience. With a grateful heart I pray in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
NOTE: These devotionals began as daily texts to encourage my academy roommate and dear friend of nearly 50 years, until she suddenly passed a few weeks ago (Feb 2023). Now I continue to compile and send them to anyone who wants to receive them and to her family in honor of their mom. First, I pray and look for a Bible Study verse or passage and find a suitable commentary (or vice versa) and add a prayer. Some days, only a Scripture and prayer are ordered. I might even add a song. If you agree to receive them, then this way I not only honor God but the memory of a very dear friend whom I desperately miss. My personal prayer is that God will bless me to find ways to multiply this gift. So please feel free to forward to your loved ones or to anyone, as God leads you. I’m calling them Barb’s Devotionals.