H5475 Secret of Intimate Counsel 21c21
סוֹד sod (H5475), intimate counsel
Mishlei 3:32
32 For the froward abomination to Yehovah, but his secret with the righteous.
Secret comes from the Hebrew word סוֹד sod (H5475). It means a session, i.e. company of persons in close deliberation; by implication, intimacy. It is in the Bible 21 times. סוֹד Sod (H5475) is translated secret 9 times, counsel 6 times, assembly 5 times and inward 1 time. סוֹד Sod (H5475) should always be rendered intimate counsel As such, a more appropriate translation for Mishlei 3:32 would be:
32 For the froward abomination to Yehovah, but His intimate counsel (sod) with the righteous.
One must understand that the counsel of Yehovah is not a secret. Anyone can obtain this counsel; however, it comes at a price. One must be a righteous individual. This requires a lot more than just salvation. Salvation, in itself, is no guarantee. Yehovah told Moshe in Devarim 30:11-14.
11 For this commandment which I command you this day, it not hidden from you, neither is it far off. 12 It not in heaven, that you should say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it to us, that we may hear it, and do it? 13 Neither it beyond the sea, that you should say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, that we may hear it, and do it? 14 But the word very nigh to you, in your mouth, and in your heart, that you may do it.
The word of God is close if one is close to God. Paul illuminates this in Romans 10:5-8.
5 For Moshe describes the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which does those things shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise, Say not in your heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? That is, to bring Messiah down. 7 Or, who shall descend into the deep? That is, to bring up Messiah again from the dead. 8 But what says it? The word is nigh you, even in your mouth, and in your heart, that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
From these passages, one can understand that to obtains the intimate counsel of God, one must have righteousness of the law and the righteousness of faith. One without the other is insufficient for the intimate counsel of God. It is to be in truth and spirit, Yochanan 4:23-24.
23 But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth. For the Father seeks such to worship Him. 24 God a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship in Spirit and in Truth.
This variant affects the following verses, former translation in is parentheses.
Bereishis 49:6
6 My soul, come not you into their intimate counsel (secret); to their assembly, mine honor, be not you united. For in their anger they slew a man, and in their self-will they dug down a wall.
This is a warning to all to avoid the intimate counsel of those similar to Shimon and Levi. What they planned in secret together and did openly, it defied the counsel of God. One should never speak in a deceitful manner.
Yirmeyahu 6:11
11 Therefore I am full of the fury of Yehovah; I am weary with holding in. I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the intimate counsel (assembly) of young men together. For even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him full of days.
It was not just the assembly, it was the intimate counsel God was coming against. What these discussed among themselves would have or did result in things that took others from the pathways of God.
Yirmeyahu 15:17
17 I sat not in the intimate counsel (assembly) of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of your hand. For you have filled me with indignation.
Yirmeyahu was asking God to remember Him, because Yirmeyahu would not partake in the intimate counsel of those that would frustrate the purposes of God. Nor, did Yirmeyahu rejoice upon hearing such counsel when it was revealed.
Yirmeyahu 23:18
18 For who has stood in the intimate counsel (counsel) of Yehovah, and has perceived and heard His word? Who has marked His word, and heard?
God is not just asking about counsel. He is asking who is righteous enough to hear the intimate counsel of God. God is stating that He will come against these prophets, because they did not prophesy His words. God’s words only come through the intimate counsel of a righteous individual.
Yirmeyahu 23:22
22 But if they had stood in My intimate counsel (counsel), and had caused My people to hear My words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.
God is stating this, because His words would have been convicting. Unfortunately, these prophets told the people that God would deliver them. As such, many never saw any reason to repent. They were under the false illusion that they were righteous when God had judged them to be evil. This occurs even today among believers and many so called prophets who lack the intimate counsel of God.
Yechezqel 13:9
9 And Mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies. They shall not be in the intimate counsel (assembly) of My people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Yisrael, neither shall they enter into the land of Yisrael and you shall know that I am the Lord Yehovah.
God is coming against the prophets that speak lies. The people will no longer trust them to prophesy the word of God. God will reveal false prophets to His people.
Amos 3:7
7 Surely the Lord Yehovah will do nothing, but He reveals His intimate counsel (secret) to his servants the prophets.
God is assuring us that He will reveal His plans to His trusted prophets. Those who are righteous in the ways of God will know ahead of time. So that His people will plan accordingly. Unfortunately, too few will listen in this lifetime.
Tehilla 25:14
14 The intimate counsel (secret) of Yehovah with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant.
One must reverence God to receive God’s intimate counsel. Those who reverence God will know the covenant of God.
Tehilla 55:14
14 We took sweet intimate counsel (counsel) together, and walked to the house of Redeemer in company.
The individual in the Tehilla remembers the one who he shared intimate discussions with. This one turned on the individual.
Tehilla 64:2
2 Hide me from the intimate counsel (secret counsel) of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity.
The writer is asking God to build a boundary around him so that he would not hear the plans of the wicked. Unlike so many who violate Mishlei 19:27.
27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction err from the words of knowledge.
The writer is asking for a hedge, so that he does not even inadvertently hear such things.
Tehilla 83:3
3 They have taken crafty intimate counsel (counsel) against your people, and consulted against your hidden ones.
This is referring to the enemies of God. They have worked together to undermine the purposes of God in His people.
Tehilla 89:7
7 God is greatly to be feared in the intimate counsel (assembly) of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all about Him.
The saints who speak the intimate counsel of God should be taken serious. When one hears these words, they should reverence God, because it is always for their good. Even when, it may go against what they want or it is a word of rebuke.
Tehilla 111:1
1 Praise you Yehovah. I will praise Yehovah with whole heart, in the intimate counsel (assembly) of the upright, and in the congregation.
The former translation of Tehilla 111:1 and Tehilla 89:7 was misleading. It lead one to focus on the assembly of the righteous rather than the intimate counsel of the righteous that comes from God.
Mishlei 11:13
13 A talebearer reveals intimate counsel (secrets), but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter.
It is not just secrets. Intimate counsel is not gossip and it is not to be told indiscriminately. When intimate counsel is discussed, it should not be freely distributed. Many are not spiritually mature to hear all matters of intimate counsel. One should be sure an individual can be trusted prior to discussing intimate counsel.
Mishlei 15:22
22 Without intimate counsel (counsel) purposes are disappointed, but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
To ensure one’s purposes come to fruition, they should ensure they have intimate counsel. In the context of Mishlei 15:22, this counsel only comes from those who are righteous in the eyes of God.
Mishlei 20:19
19 He that goes about a talebearer reveals intimate counsel (secrets); therefore, meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
This is similar to Mishlei 11:13; however, it has an additional warning. One may flatter; however, one must be discerning of another’s words. Not all who say they can be trusted should be. Those who have the intimate counsel of God should be careful to be lead in the Spirit and not just by one’s words of flattery.
Mishlei 25:9
9 Debate your cause with your neighbor and discover not an intimate counsel (secret) to another.
To do otherwise than what is stated above is gossip. Gossip can be both true or false. Matters of others should not be discussed freely.
Iyyov 15:8
8 Have you heard the intimate counsel (secret) of God? And do you restrain wisdom to yourself?
Elifaz is challenging Iyyov’s words. He does not believe that Iyyov was in the intimate counsel of God. However, Elifaz should have held his thoughts to the end. As God stated in Iyyov 42:7-8.
7 And it was so, that after Yehovah had spoken these words to Iyyov, Yehovah said to Elifaz the Temanite, My wrath (af) is kindled against you, and against your two friends. For you have not spoken of Me right, as My servant Iyyov. 8 Therefore take to you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to My servant Iyyov, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Iyyov shall pray for you. For him will I accept. Lest I deal with you after your folly, in that you have not spoken of Me right, like My servant Iyyov.
Twice God stated that Iyyov spoke correctly. Yes, Iyyov was privileged to have the intimate counsel of God. This was because Iyyov was a righteous man as God stated in Iyyov 1 and 2, Iyyov 2:3.
3 And Yehovah said to Satan, Have you considered My servant Iyyov, that none like him in the land, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears Redeemer, and eschews evil? And still he holds fast his integrity, although you move Me against him, to destroy him without cause.
This was after Iyyov lost all he had. Yet, God still considered Iyyov to be a righteous man. Eliphaz was wrong.
Iyyov 19:19
19 All my intimate counsel (inward) friends abhorred me and they whom I loved are turned against me.
Iyyov is telling us that those who formerly trusted in him have turned their back. This includes many whom Iyyov had helped through life numerous times.
Iyyov 29:4
4 As I was in the days of my youth, when the intimate counsel (secret) of God was upon my Ohel;
Iyyov is remembering former days, when God blessed him with intimate counsel in his walk of faith with God.
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