Those who give advice and counsel. Human advice is desirable, but not always reliable. Only God's counsel is wholly dependable.
Human advisers
It is wise to consult advisers
Proverbs 15:22 See also Proverbs 12:15, Proverbs 13:10, Proverbs 15:12, Proverbs 19:20, Proverbs 20:18, Proverbs 24:6; Ecclesiastes 4:13
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
It is folly to reject wise advisers
Proverbs 11:14 See also 1 Kings 12:8 parallel 2 Chronicles 10:8; 1 Kings 12:13–15 parallel 2 Chronicles 10:13–15; Proverbs 1:25–26, Proverbs 1:30–31; Jeremiah 18:18; Acts 27:11, Acts 27:21
For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.
Unwise advisers are dangerous
Psalm 1:1 See also Job 21:16, Job 42:7; Proverbs 12:5; Isaiah 19:11; Ezekiel 11:2–4
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.
Advisers who trust in false gods must be rejected
Isaiah 8:19–20 See also 2 Chronicles 25:15–16; Isaiah 19:3, Isaiah 47:13–15
When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
Examples of wise advisers
Exodus 18:17–24 Jethro; Daniel 2:23, Daniel 2:48, Daniel 4:18, Daniel 4:27, Daniel 5:11–12; Acts 5:38–39 Gamaliel; 2 Corinthians 8:10–12 Paul
Examples of bad advisers
Numbers 31:16 Balaam; 2 Samuel 15:31, 2 Samuel 17:1, 2 Samuel 17:7; 1 Kings 12:28–30 Jeroboam; Isaiah 19:11 Egyptian advisers; John 11:49–53 Caiaphas
Examples of official advisers
Genesis 26:26; 2 Samuel 15:12, 2 Samuel 16:23; 1 Kings 4:5; 1 Chronicles 27:32–33
God as adviser
God is an adviser
Psalm 16:7 See also 1 Kings 22:5 parallel 2 Chronicles 18:4; Psalm 32:8, Psalm 73:24; Revelation 3:18
I will bless the LORD who counsels me; even at night my conscience instructs me.
The promised Messiah is an adviser
Isaiah 9:6 See also Isaiah 11:2
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The Holy Spirit is an adviser
John 14:26 See also John 14:16, John 15:26, John 16:13 The Holy Spirit's counsel defends believers from every accusation and provides all necessary teaching and guidance.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.