Many Counsels

This morning, as I read through Job, I prayed to the Lord that my words would be few, but that they would be from Him. 

As I read through Job, the word that the Spirit keeps bringing to mind is: “You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels.” This is the word of the Lord for us today. The gift of teaching initially given to the church for the edification of the Saints has become an albatross about its neck, keeping minds and hearts grounded in earthly and fleshly arguments, rather than drawing our minds and hearts upward and onward into spiritual principles that cannot be apprehended by the natural mind. 

There are a multitude of saints who are wearied by the many counsels in the church. So many voices, so many words and opinions and teachings, so many of my precious brothers and sisters anxiously looking left and right in a desperate attempt to discern with their mind a narrow path that can only be walked rightly by being led by their Shepherd, rather than figured out by their own reasoning. Oh, beloved Shepherd of our souls, indeed we are wearied by our many counsels! 

As I read through Job and I see the counsels given to him by his “friends”, I weep and I groan.  These friends of Job try to teach him truth based on their own perception of God. Their attempts at consolation only end in dispute—arguments over who is right and who is wrong. Completely blind to their own lack of wisdom, what “truths of light” they do manage to utter, are swept away into the lengthening shadow of their own darkened understanding. 

I have no clever statement of summary today, only an agony within for those who do not see their own bondage to be made aware of their chains. 

(Gal 5:13-15) For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be destroyed and consumed by one another.

(Is 47:13) You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you—your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate.

(Job 13:5-12) Oh that you would be completely silent, And that it would become your wisdom!..Will you argue God’s case for him? Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal? He will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality…Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes. Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot.