Thoughts on the Power of Counsel

Ahithofel was one of those super-wise guys. His counsel to King David and his son, Absolom, was unerring... perfect in every way. When he spoke, he was right, and whatever he said, the King did.

"And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom." II Sam. 16:23

I have been in Counsel positions before. In fact, that's probably why I love working with Jeremy. There is something so satisfying in examining a situation and knowing the best way to act next. It is extremely gratifying to give counsel to someone that is actually followed.... and it turns out to be "great"!

Maybe that is one of the Perks of a wife's position from God's point of view. But not all wives want to know their husbands' business dealings besides a small summary. I can understand that point of view, too. It would feel like stepping outside of the stressful spotlight and only worrying about what to buy next! ha!

Imagine for a minute, though, that you are a Counselor to someone who runs something.

I started my counseling working for Dad and Net Works Ministries down in Mexico. It was exhilerating! For a time, every counsel I gave was followed. I am not Ahithofel, so if I was off a bit, I just adjusted and commented on the current path as if I'd had some say in it's direction. I felt so important and essential to the Ministry - so fulfilled. But I remember the exact period of time when my Counsel was no longer considered anymore. I had been away a while and other people had taken that position - that was never a spoken or acknowledged position. I suddenly found I had no place there. The feeling was indescribable... I had to get out of there. I waited until I had a ride to Oregon and left Mexico and that Ministry for the final time. Thank God I was not Ahithofel!

"Now when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey, and arose and went home to his house, to his city. Then he put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died; and he was buried in his father's tomb." II Sam 17:23

For me that was my transition into being free to find my husband, to whom I became closest Counsel. My husband is an amazing business man with a gift for selling things and a love of taking risks. I am a perfect match for him. We can talk about all the details and figure out big decisions together ...and he has me do some yucky stuff like phone calls or actual manual labor sometimes (I know, it's terrible!) But the most satisfying, fulfilling thing I do is listen and think about what to do next and share my Counsel with him.

Who else was a Counselor? Daniel... Pontius Pilates' Wife... Jezebel! Peter thought he was! :-) Paul often had a traveling companion - Silas or Mark, Pharoah had some bad help with taking on those plagues...

...which brings up a good point. God cared about the Counsel, whether it was good or bad, but He had His own plans that He was able to accomplish regardless of the Counsel - like how Ahithofel was defeated to save David or Pharoah accomplished God's purposes in being so terribly plagued!!!