GOOD COUNSEL

Exodus 18:18...24

“You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.

Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. 

Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions.

There are people who come our way and bring good counsel. Listen, the Lord has deposited great gifts in people, there is nothing like tapping from them.

Look at a wonderful father-in-law like Jethro, his counsel remains the strategic leadership method used by great leaders over the years.

Imagine the number of people camped in the wilderness:

Exodus 12:37-38

That night the people of Israel left Rameses and started for Succoth. There were about 600,000 men, plus all the women and children.

A rabble of non-Israelites went with them, along with great flocks and herds of livestock.

More than a million of them, truly Moses would have worn himself out.

We must be alert in the spirit to know when good counsel comes our way, the same way we should be careful of counsel that could mar us, it is not just about the person but the spirit behind the person at the time of counsel.

Our Lord had to cut Peter short at one time:

Matthew 16:23

Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Look at the son of Solomon who inherited his throne:

1 Kings 12:7-9,13,16

The older counselors replied, “If you are willing to be a servant to these people today and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your loyal subjects.”

But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisers.

“What is your advice?” he asked them. “How should I answer these people who want me to lighten the burdens imposed by my father?”

But Rehoboam spoke harshly to the people, for he rejected the advice of the older counselors

When all Israel realized that the king had refused to listen to them, they responded, 

“Down with the dynasty of David! 

 We have no interest in the son of Jesse. 

Back to your homes, O Israel! 

Look out for your own house, O David!”So the people of Israel returned home.

Because of his refusal to heed to wise counsel, he lost rulership of the main ten tribes of Israel and was left with Judah only. What a loss, it did not end with his time alone:

1 Kings 12:19

And to this day the northern tribes of Israel have refused to be ruled by a descendant of David.

May we never lose our destiny because of pride, for pride will very well make us ignore good counsel and seek the advice of those who flatter us.

Proverbs 8:9-12

My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge.

Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.

For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. 

Nothing you desire can compare with it.

“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. 

I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.

May our spirit be alert at all times to discern good counsel from wrong ones that we will continue to increase and prosper in our doings.

We must have the right people around us who will bring the right counsel again and again. This is the secret of those who succeed in ministry, leadership, business, education or career.

The Lord has His place.

Just as Jethro said:

Exodus 18:19

Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him.

...let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you . . .

Good advice will not contradict God's word or instruction!

Help us Good Lord.

He calls us blessed.

Love

@the watcher