From Proverbs 16-18
What are your plans for the next 5 years?
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
I’ve selected a series of proverbs that speak about plans. People quite often want to have a bit of guidance.
16 The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. (Pr 16.16)
‘The answer of the tongue is from the LORD’? What a strange thing to say. Can anyone have a go at what you think that means. Perhaps when something turns out differently to what was planned, they speak about it. Or perhaps, someone has a desire to get the right kind of answer from another, but the LORD has another agenda.
3 Commit your work to the LORD,
and your plans will be established. (Pr 16:3)
This one sounds pretty promising. Its good to place our trust in the LORD when we plan ahead. It seems to suggest that if we recognise the LORD in our plans, either way he will guide our path. I’m not so so he will always give us what we want.
9 The heart of man plans his way,
but the LORD establishes his steps. (Pr 16:9)
Now this one speaks of divine soveriegnty. We may plan what we want, but in the end it is the LORD who controls and guides everything.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death. (Pr 16:25)
This last one is ominous. I suggest that the ‘way that seems right’ is not exactly the right thing to do. i.e. immoral. That is why its end is death. Punishment for wrongdoing. We should check our own actions against God’s revealed will.
Story of Jesus
Peter said at Pentecost;
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. (Ac 2:22–24)
Certainly this plan was for our good. The good news.
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2014. All Rights Reserved.
