Definition and Context
Consultation, in a biblical context, refers to the act of seeking advice, guidance, or counsel from others, particularly in matters of spiritual, moral, or practical significance. The Bible presents consultation as a means of gaining wisdom and making informed decisions, often emphasizing the importance of seeking counsel from God, His Word, and wise individuals.

Biblical Examples of Consultation

1. Consultation with God: The Bible frequently underscores the importance of seeking God's guidance. In the Old Testament, leaders and prophets often consulted God before making significant decisions. For instance, King David regularly inquired of the Lord before going into battle (1 Samuel 23:2, 4). The Berean Standard Bible states, "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.'" This highlights the priority of divine consultation in decision-making.

2. Consultation with Wise Counselors: Proverbs, a book dedicated to wisdom, frequently advises seeking counsel from wise individuals. Proverbs 11:14 states, "For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors there is deliverance." This verse emphasizes the value of collective wisdom and the safety found in seeking advice from multiple sources.

3. Negative Examples of Consultation: The Bible also provides examples of poor consultation leading to negative outcomes. Rehoboam, Solomon's son, rejected the counsel of the elders and instead followed the advice of his peers, leading to the division of the kingdom (1 Kings 12:6-11). This narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of ignoring wise counsel.

Consultation in the New Testament

1. The Early Church: The early church practiced consultation in decision-making processes. In Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council is an example where apostles and elders gathered to discuss and resolve doctrinal issues. Acts 15:6 records, "So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter." This collective consultation helped maintain unity and doctrinal integrity within the early Christian community.

2. Paul's Example: The Apostle Paul often sought the counsel of others and encouraged believers to do the same. In Galatians 2:2 , Paul mentions consulting with leaders in Jerusalem to ensure his ministry was aligned with the gospel: "I went up in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those recognized as leaders, to ensure that I was not running or had not run in vain."

Principles of Godly Consultation

1. Seek God First: The Bible consistently teaches that consultation should begin with seeking God's will through prayer and Scripture. James 1:5 encourages believers, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

2. Value Wise Counsel: Scripture highlights the importance of seeking advice from those who are spiritually mature and experienced. Proverbs 15:22 states, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."

3. Discernment and Testing: While seeking counsel is important, the Bible also advises discernment. 1 John 4:1 warns, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." This principle applies to human counsel as well, urging believers to weigh advice against biblical truth.

Conclusion
The biblical concept of consultation emphasizes the importance of seeking divine guidance and wise counsel in decision-making. Through examples and teachings, Scripture provides a framework for understanding the value and practice of consultation in the life of a believer.1. (n.) The act of consulting or conferring; deliberation of two or more persons on some matter, with a view to a decision.

2. (n.) A council or conference, as of physicians, held to consider a special case, or of lawyers restained in a cause.

4824. sumboulion -- counsel, by impl. a council
... boo'-lee-on) Short Definition: a council, advice Definition: (a) a body of advisers
(assessors) in a court, a council, (b) abstr: consultation, counsel, advice ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4824.htm - 6k5475. sod -- council, counsel
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition council, counsel NASB Word Usage circle
(1), company (1), consultation (1), council (5), fellowship (1), friendship ...
/hebrew/5475.htm - 6k

5780. Uts -- a son of Aram, also a son of Nahor, also an Edomite ...
... NASB Word Usage Uz (8). Uz. Apparently from uwts; consultation; Uts, a son of Aram,
also a Seirite, and the regions settled by them. -- Uz. see HEBREW uwts. ...
/hebrew/5780.htm - 6k

6098. etsah -- counsel, advice
... Word Origin from yaats Definition counsel, advice NASB Word Usage advice (11),
consultation (2), counsel (52), counselor* (1), counselors* (1), counsels (1 ...
/hebrew/6098.htm - 6k

1697. dabar -- speech, word
... compliments* (1), concerned (1), concerning (1), concerning* (3), conclusion* (1),
conditions (1), conduct (2), conferred (1), consultation (1), conversation (1 ...
/hebrew/1697.htm - 8k

4431. melek -- counsel, advice
... counsel. (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to malak in the sense of consultation:
advice -- counsel. see HEBREW malak. 4430, 4431. melek. 4432 . ...
/hebrew/4431.htm - 6k

Whether the Higher and Lower Reason are Distinct Powers?
... xii, 7) "is intent on the consideration and consultation of things eternal"; and
that what the Philosopher calls the "reasoning" or "opinionative" part is the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the higher and lower.htm

The Accession of Darius.
... Confusion at Susa."No heir to the throne."Five days' interregnum."Provisional
government."Consultation of the confederates."Otanes in favor of a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter iv the accession of.htm

An Obstinate Roman.
... Some time is spent in consultation. ... Their consultation results in another attempt
to question Jesus in the hope of getting some word that can be used. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/an obstinate roman.htm

How Claudius was Seized Upon and Brought Out of his House and ...
... seemed under the like fear and disorder with private persons, the band called pretorian,
which was the purest part of the army, was in consultation what was to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how claudius was.htm

The Battle of Salamis.
... The commanders of the fleet held a consultation to consider this question. In this
consultation the Athenian and the Corinthian leaders took different views. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter xi the battle of.htm

The Second Sermon, in the Afternoon.
... or by what means ye were promoted to those dignities that ye now occupy, so it be
honest, good and profitable, that ye in this your consultation shall do and ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/the second sermon in the.htm

His Name --The Counsellor
... ken can ever attain unto. Nor, again, did God hold any consultation for
the increase of his satisfaction. Sometimes men, when they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/his namethe counsellor.htm

Of the Subject to whom to the Key of Church Priviledge, Power, or ...
... them seven waies, which for brevitie and memory sake, we summe up in seven
words.1. By way of Participation.2. Of Recommendation.3. Of Consultation.4. Of ...
/.../chap iiii of the subject.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1828 to the Beginning ...
... This originated in a consultation with the book agents and the editor of the Christian
Advocate and journal, the latter of whom had prepared a constitution for ...
/.../chapter 10 from the close.htm

The Return of Xerxes to Persia.
... He accordingly sent for Artemisia, and, directing all the officers, as well as his
own attendants, to retire, he held a private consultation with her in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter xii the return of.htm

Consultation (8 Occurrences)
...Consultation (8 Occurrences). Matthew 12:14 And the Pharisees having gone forth,
held a consultation against him, how they might destroy him, (YLT). ...
/c/consultation.htm - 9k

Council (51 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) An assembly of men summoned or convened for consultation, deliberation,
or advice; as, a council of physicians for consultation in a critical case. ...
/c/council.htm - 24k

Counsel (192 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Interchange of opinions; mutual advising;
consultation. ... 3. (n.) Result of consultation; advice; instruction. ...
/c/counsel.htm - 39k

Consult (27 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) The act of consulting or deliberating; consultation; also, the
result of consultation; determination; decision. 7. (n.) A ...
/c/consult.htm - 16k

Held (223 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Matthew 28:12 So the latter held a conference with the Elders, and after
consultation with them they heavily bribed the soldiers, (WEY). ...
/h/held.htm - 34k

Conference (2 Occurrences)
... discussion; interchange of views. 3. (n.) A meeting for consultation,
discussion, or an interchange of opinions. 4. (n.) A meeting ...
/c/conference.htm - 8k

Consulted (33 Occurrences)

/c/consulted.htm - 16k

Jeopardy (7 Occurrences)
... he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle; but they didn't help them;
for the lords of the Philistines sent him away after consultation, saying, "He ...
/j/jeopardy.htm - 9k

Latter (91 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 28:12 So the latter held a conference with the Elders, and after
consultation with them they heavily bribed the soldiers, (WEY). ...
/l/latter.htm - 34k

Led (260 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:1 Immediately in the morning the chief priests, with the elders and scribes,
and the whole council, held a consultation, and bound Jesus, and carried ...
/l/led.htm - 36k

What does the Bible say about lawsuits / suing? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Order of DeMolay? | GotQuestions.org

I am a Christian who is addicted to smoking. How can I quit? | GotQuestions.org

Consultation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus