The friendly counsel of God comes from Job 29:4, where Job reflects on his past, describing a time of intimate fellowship, divine guidance, and protection.
In various Bible translations, this phrase is rendered as “the friendship of God” (NLT), “the secret of God” (KJV), or “the counsel of God” (NKJV) resting upon his tent or home.
Key Aspects of Job’s “Friendly Counsel”
Intimacy and Friendship: It represents a season when Job felt a close, personal relationship with God, not just a distant, awe-inspiring presence.
Divine Protection and Guidance: This counsel or “friendship” was described as being “over my tent,” implying God’s protective presence, blessing, and care for his home and family.
Light in Darkness: Job recalls when God’s lamp shone upon his head and by His light, he walked through darkness—suggesting wisdom and direction in difficult times.
Prosperity and Guidance: It was a time of holistic blessing, when Job was “in his prime,” characterized by prosperity, wisdom, and God as an adviser.
In essence, it represents the blessing of an intimate relationship where God actively guides and cares for an individual’s life.
Strength and Courage
Mike Sereg