In the biblical context, the term "consults" often refers to seeking guidance, advice, or information from various sources, including God, prophets, wise counselors, or, in some negative instances, forbidden spiritual entities. The act of consulting is a significant theme throughout the Scriptures, highlighting the importance of seeking divine wisdom and the dangers of turning to ungodly sources.

Consulting God and His Prophets

The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of consulting God and His appointed messengers for guidance. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were instructed to seek God's counsel through prayer and the prophets. For instance, King David is noted for inquiring of the Lord before making significant decisions. In 1 Samuel 23:2 , it is recorded, "So David inquired of the LORD, 'Shall I go and attack these Philistines?' And the LORD said to David, 'Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.'"

The prophets served as God's mouthpieces, providing divine guidance to the people. Consulting a prophet was a common practice for kings and leaders seeking God's will. In 2 Kings 3:11 , Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, asks, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here, through whom we may inquire of the LORD?" This highlights the recognized role of prophets as intermediaries between God and His people.

Consulting Wise Counselors

The Bible also underscores the value of seeking wise and godly counsel from others. Proverbs 11:14 states, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." This principle is evident in the reign of King Solomon, who, despite his wisdom, surrounded himself with advisors. The importance of consulting wise counselors is a recurring theme in the wisdom literature, encouraging believers to seek advice from those who are knowledgeable and godly.

Forbidden Consultations

Conversely, the Bible strongly condemns consulting with forbidden spiritual entities, such as mediums, spiritists, and false gods. Such practices are considered abominations and are strictly prohibited. In Leviticus 19:31 , the Israelites are commanded, "Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God."

One of the most notable examples of forbidden consultation is King Saul's visit to the medium at Endor. In 1 Samuel 28:7-8 , Saul, having lost favor with God, seeks out a medium to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. This act of desperation leads to his downfall, illustrating the severe consequences of turning away from God to seek guidance from illicit sources.

Consulting in the New Testament

In the New Testament, the practice of consulting God continues through prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Believers are encouraged to seek God's wisdom in all matters. James 1:5 advises, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him."

The early church also practiced communal consultation, seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance in decision-making. In Acts 13:2 , while the church in Antioch was worshiping and fasting, the Holy Spirit instructed them, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." This demonstrates the continued reliance on divine guidance through prayer and the Holy Spirit.

In summary, the biblical concept of consulting underscores the importance of seeking God's wisdom and guidance through prayer, His Word, and godly counsel, while warning against the dangers of turning to ungodly sources for direction.7592. shaal -- to ask, inquire
... asked (41), asking (5), asks (5), beg (1), begged (1), begs (1), borrow (1), borrowed
(1), borrows (1), consult (2), consulting (1), consults (1), dedicated (2 ...
/hebrew/7592.htm - 6k

He, Now Given to Divine Things, and yet Entangled by the Lusts of ...
... Book VIII. Chapter I."He, Now Given to Divine Things, and Yet Entangled by the Lusts
of Love, Consults Simplicianus in Reference to the Renewing of His Mind. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter i he now given to.htm

Divine Sovereignty.
... knowledge. God consults no one in respect to what shall be done by him. ... dictates.
He consults only himself; that is, his own infinite intelligence. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlv divine sovereignty.htm

Whether Venial Sin Can be in the Higher Reason as Such?
... For it does not regard the objects of the lower powers, except in so far as it consults
the eternal law about them, and so it does not regard them save by way ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether venial sin can be.htm

By what virtues the Ancient Romans Merited that the True God ...
... [199] But royal pomp seemed inconsistent with the administration of a ruler (regentis),
or the benevolence of one who consults (that is, for the public good ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 12 by what virtues the.htm

Assurance of Salvation.
... "The stork says to himself, 'Ah, here is a fir tree:' he consults with his mate,
'Will this do for the nest in which we may rear our young?' 'Aye,' says she ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter vii assurance of salvation.htm

The Return of Xerxes to Persia.
... Mardonius's address to him."Mardonius offers to complete the conquest of
Greece."Effect of Mardonius's address."Xerxes consults Artemisia."Artemisia ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter xii the return of.htm

Of the Soul and Body, and of Providence.
... If He has foresight, as it is befitting that God should have, it is plain that He
consults the interests of the human race, in order that our life may be more ...
/.../chap xix of the soul and.htm

The Apostle Has Made Known to us Certain Three Unions...
... But the men he would for this reason, because, although the spirit lusteth against
the flesh, even in this it consults for the good of the flesh: not like as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on continence/section 23 the apostle has.htm

Elucidations.
... some think. I suppose, rather, he consults, as Cyprian did, the bishop of
the nearest Apostolic See, and awaits his concurrence. It ...
/.../thaumaturgus/canonical epistle of gregory thaumaturgus/elucidations.htm

The Joy of the Cross
... Is delicate and pure. Self-love no grace in sorrow sees,. Consults her own peculiar
ease; 'Tis all the bliss she knows; But nobler aims true Love employ; ...
/.../the joy of the cross.htm

Consults (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Consults (3 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 18:11 or a charmer,
or one that consulteth a ghost or a familiar spirit, or a necromancer. ...
/c/consults.htm - 7k

Consulting (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Consult. 2. (a.) That consults.
Multi-Version Concordance Consulting (3 Occurrences). ...
/c/consulting.htm - 7k

Inquire (95 Occurrences)
... desire"; zeteo, "to seek"); A form sometimes employed with reference to the practice
of divination, as where Saul "inquires of" (or "consults") the witch of ...
/i/inquire.htm - 39k

Memucan (3 Occurrences)
... Esther 1:14, 16, 21)): One of "the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the
king's face, and sat first in the kingdom." Ahasuerus consults these men, as ...
/m/memucan.htm - 8k

Consulter (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who consults, or asks counsel or information.
Multi-Version Concordance Consulter (1 Occurrence). ...
/c/consulter.htm - 6k

Saul (371 Occurrences)
... Saul's Divided Energies 12. Consults a Necromancer 13. ...Consults a Necromancer: Saul
himself saw that his case was desperate, and that in fact the game was up. ...
/s/saul.htm - 76k

Consume (136 Occurrences)

/c/consume.htm - 40k

Elisha (70 Occurrences)
... The king of Syria consults him in sickness (2 Kings 8:7, 8). The king of Israel
seems to blame him for the awful conditions of the siege and would have wreaked ...
/e/elisha.htm - 61k

What does the Bible say about praying to / speaking to / talking to the dead? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about witchcraft / witches? Should a Christian fear witchcraft? | GotQuestions.org

What are familiar spirits? | GotQuestions.org

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