Judges 18:5

And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.

Judges 18:5 (KJV)

Context

The book of Judges describes a period in Israel’s history when God raised up judges to deliver the Israelites from oppression. The events of Judges 18 take place after the death of Joshua and the conquest of the Promised Land. The tribe of Dan was still seeking its inheritance, so they sent five men to spy out the land.

Meaning

In this verse, the Danite spies ask a Levite to “Ask counsel” of God for them. They want to know whether their journey will be prosperous. The Hebrew word for “prosperous” carries the sense of success or a straight path. The men are not simply curious; they are seeking divine approval for their mission, and they expect God to answer.

Their request shows that they understood the importance of seeking God’s guidance. They did not rely only on their own plans or strength. They asked a man who served as a priest to inquire of God on their behalf. This reflects a common practice in ancient Israel, where people sought God’s will through His appointed servants.

Biblical connections

This desire to know God’s will echoes other passages where believers ask for direction. For example, Proverbs 3:5-6 urges trust in the Lord rather than leaning on one’s own understanding. The Danites’ request, however, is complicated by their later actions. They soon turn to idolatry, showing that asking for guidance is not enough if the heart is not fully devoted to God.

Application

Believers today can learn from this verse to seek God’s counsel in every important decision. Prayer, reading Scripture, and listening to wise, godly advice are ways to ask God for direction. Yet the Danites remind us that our motives matter. We must not ask God to bless plans that contradict His will. Instead, we should submit our plans to Him and be willing to change course when He leads.

Reflection

When you face an uncertain path, do you truly want God’s answer, or do you only want Him to approve your own plans? Seeking God’s counsel is an act of trust. It acknowledges that He sees the whole road ahead, while we see only a small part. True prosperity is not merely success in our ventures, but walking in the way that pleases Him.