Ezra 7:14 merely mentions them, “the king, and his seven counsellors.”

This would be King Artaxerxes of Persia.

Who gave the Jews plenty of help as they returned from captivity, going back from Babylon to Judah. Do you remember? “Silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel.” Wow, Ezra 7:15, financing that long (4 month) trip back “home.”

The King “and his counsellors!”

That’s today’s Lesson … a King with all his power (an autocrat in reality, a dictator, a monarch) still feeling the need for advisors!

This reminds me of Proverbs 11:14. Truth indeed! “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”

I once heard a Preacher say that he called together a “team” of counsellors, a “brain trust” so to speak, who shared wisdom with him every time he faced a major decision! (Much like the President has a “cabinet” of experts, helping him make critical decisions!)

There is “safety” in such counsellors … so said Solomon through the Holy Spirit!

The Hebrew noun here translated “safety” means “salvation, deliverance, help, victory!”

It never hurts to get “direction” (“advice”), or at least “prayer support” from a close group of (spiritual) friends as you live your life for Jesus!

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Proverbs 15:22 helps here as well. “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”

I’ve just learned that our Proverbs verse is essentially repeated in that great Book of Wisdom! “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.” This time, Proverbs 24:6. (When God says something TWICE, pay special attention!)

Even Acts 15:6 may illustrate today’s Ezra principle: “And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.”

Psalm 1:1 now, its first clause. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly.”

Well, I am convinced anyway!