God's Sovereign Plan over Human Plans
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· 1,338 viewsProverbs teaches us that God is absolutely sovereign over everything and he exercises his sovereignty through a righteous King.
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The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 15–31 (1) The Lord’s Sovereignty and the Human’s Responsibility (16:1–4a)
The admonition commit to (gōl ʾel, lit. “roll to/upon” cf. Gen 29:3, 8, 10; Ps. 22:9, 37:5) connotes a sense of finality; roll it unto the LORD and leave it there.
Introduction:
These past few weeks we have been looking at Proverbs thematically and today we look at the theme of God’s sovereignty. As we turn to , it is interesting to note that God’s sovereignty is explained in as a unit in these fifteen verses rather than selected proverbs throughout the book.
What do we mean when we say God’s sovereign?
To put it simply, when we say God is sovereign, we are saying that God is in absolute control of all things and he ordains everything according to the purpose of his will. To say God is sovereign is to say He governs the universe and human affairs for his own purposes and ultimately for his own glory.
But this raises some issues for both Christian and non-Christian. Even Christians have trouble believing in the sovereignty of God. For example, one popular pastor questioned the sovereignty of Jesus.
One viral video that popped up on my news feed this past week was from a popular preacher Steve Furtick on a Youtube clip said “The One Thing Jesus Could Not Do”.
One viral video that popped up on my news feed this past week was from a popular preacher Steve Furtick on a Youtube clip said “The One Thing Jesus Could Not Do”.
There’s one thing that even Jesus cannot do. One thing that the Son of God cannot do. Even Jesus cannot override your unbelief…He wanted to, he was prepared to, and he was able to, and he couldn’t.
This is problematic because what Furtick is saying is that Jesus does not have power to overcome unbelief. When we read Scripture, we read something else. Christ has the power to raise the dead. He does have the power to overcome unbelief as a man who had a boy who was demon possessed and hurting himself “I believe, help my unbelief” (). Christ has power to convict men of sin and draw them to God.
For the non-Christian, If God is in control of all things, then why is there so much evil in the world? And if he is sovereign over evil, does that mean he is the author of evil? And if God is completely sovereign, how can we meaningful speak of human free will?
There’s one thing that even Jesus cannot do. One thing that the Son of God cannot do. Even Jesus cannot override your unbelief…He wanted to, he was prepared to, and he was able to, and he couldn’t.
God’s sovereignty. We believe that God is in control of all things. If God is in control of all things, then why is there so much evil in the world? And if he is sovereign over evil, does that mean he is the author of evil? Does that mean that we do not have free will?
If God is absolutely sovereign, in what sense can we meaningfully speak of human choice, of human will?
The Bible answers for us that God is sovereign and we are responsible. As finite creatures, we cannot understand how these two truths go together, but we must trust what God has revealed in His word.
God’s sovereignty does not eliminate human responsibility and accountability as we will see in our text today.
These two truths are set side by side in Scripture and are not contradictory. There are many other truths that the Bible set side by side that may appear contradictory, but actually are not. For example,
We can say the Bible is both a human and divine book. We can say that the person of Christ is both human and divine. We can see that the Trinity is both three and one or one in three. There are truths revealed in Scripture that the human mind cannot grasp.
So the Bible also affirms that God is completely sovereign and we are completely responsible for the choices we make.
Example: When God exiled his own people through Babylon, God said he was going to use Babylon as in instrument of his judgment. But God also judges Babylon for being used as an instrument of judgment.
So when it comes to making decisions and planning, we are responsible, yet God is the One ultimately in control of every decision we make. As we look at the text, we will see that the doctrine of God’s sovereignty provides great comfort to the believer. It also provides strength to continue to do the Lord’s will in our everyday life.
Today, Proverbs teaches us that God is sovereign over everything and he exercises his sovereignty through a righteous King. We see three ways God exercises his sovereignty in the world.
So when we ask, What is God’s plan for my life? What are God’s plans for my plans? We can Today, Proverbs teaches us that God is sovereign over everything and he exercises his sovereignty through a righteous King.
God is sovereign over the plans and details of our lives. He is sovereign over the evil we experience in this world. And he exercises his sovereignty through an ideal and messianic King.
I. God’s Sovereignty in Planning (vv. 1-3)
I. God’s Sovereignty in Planning (vv. 1-3)
First we see that God is sovereign over the details in our lives. He is sovereign over our plans. Again, Proverbs does is not against wise planning.
A. Plan
The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
The Bible does not diminish human responsibility. We are not robots in God’s world. He are people who are responsible for our actions.
The heart is the center of our thinking, planning, loving, and doing. In our hearts, we plan, we think, we strategize, we reason what is the best course of action we should take.
So when it comes to what school we should go to, or what major should we take, whether or not we should get married, or what type of job should we do, or whether or not we should rent or buy a home, we should give wise thought to these things. We should plan. We should get wisdom. We should pray. We should be informed by God’s word.
But understand that even in your plans, understand that God is the One who ultimately decides.
“The answer of the tongue is from the LORD.”
When I look back at my life, I never thought I would be a pastor. Did you know that my first year of college I was an visual arts major at UCSD? What if someone from CFBC never invited me to Bible study at Oswalt in 2005? That was the same day I was playing a paintball tournament and we were losing. What if I never lost those games?The only reason I went to Bible study that night was because I didn’t want to be in a hotel room drinking with my friends and wanted to try something different to make my sadness go away after losing.
And even after finishing college, I wanted to be a philosophy professor. But in 2009, Pastor Ed had an heart attack and I was sitting in the front row at Sonrise elementary when he asked me to preach his sermon as they were taking him to the hospital. What if he asked someone else to preach? What if I never made eye contact with him and just went to the ambulance? I would have never gone to Master’s Seminary.
What if I never met Helen? What if I was a missionary? But God knew that he wanted me to marry this beautiful woman that God brought to CFBC the same year I came.
As I look at the what if’s in my life, I cannot help to think that God was sovereign. God made the decision. God had a plan. Yes, I planned and purpose in my heart to do certain things, but God knew better.
Yes, I had a plan, but the answer belongs to the Lord. And I’m sure you can say that is true in your own life. God used good things, bad things, even terrible things to bring about his sovereign and good plan.
Secular people have a false sense of control in the world. Because we live longer and have better technology, we have a sense that we can control the world we live in.
People living 500 years ago didn’t believe that because they have a shorter life expectancy and it was normal for infants to die on a regular basis because of a lack of medicine and healthcare.
But even though we live longer and have technology that improves living, it does not mean we know whether we are going to live tomorrow.
Americans don’t know how to deal with suffering because we are wealthy and live very comfortably.
Christian—So plan, think, strategize, and get wise counsel. But understand that at the end of the day, God will determine the final outcome of all things.
Some of you remember the classic Sound of Music. Maria, who is a nun, does a terrible job at being a nun. She is not as reserved or refined like the other nuns. She is loud, late to her duties, and free spirit who loves to sing. She doesn’t know what her purpose is. She was trying to find the will of God in the convent or the abbey. So the she is sent out into the world. to be basically a nanny to seven children. And she meets the love of her life Captain Von Trapp. If God never sent her away, she would have never have found her purpose in being Maria Von Trapp and the mother to seven children who escapes from the Nazis. I love the lyrics in one of the songs...
“When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window.” This is not a Bible verse, but even Maria believes in the sovereignty of God.
Even Maria believes in the sovereignty of God.
Non-Christian—Secular people believe that there is either no ultimate meaning in the world. So when their plans are derailed, they are absolutely devastated because they see no higher purpose or they believe that things happen randomly.
On the other hand, Christians believe that everything has a purpose and we are responsible to make wise choices that will bring glory to God. And although we may not understand things, God works all things together for good for those who love him and are called according to your purpose.
So plan well, but understand God makes the final decision. When we plan, we also need to evaluate our motives.
B. Evaluate
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the spirit.
We are good at excusing ourselves and justifying ourselves. We are good at thinking we are better than we actually are and we end up deceiving ourselves. Trials help us evaluate our motives.
Each hand of sorrow ha
But God sees all things. He weights the spirit. He knows the motives of our hearts. Even in our planning, he can see the true motive of why we are doing what we are doing.
He can see if we are only in ministry because we like the praise of men.
He can see if we are only praying so that others may see.
He can see if we are only giving out of duty or obligation rather than from a cheerful and generous heart.
He can see if we are serving to advance our own agenda rather than help those who need help.
God in his sovereignty knows all the thoughts of men. We cannot hide before God. Again, this is both terrifying and comforting at the same time.
It’s terrifying because we can fool everyone else, but we cannot fool God. And he knows all our shortcomings and failings.
It’s terrifying because we can fool everyone else, but we cannot fool God. And he knows all our shortcomings and failings.
Yet it is comforting too because even though he knows all our shortcomings and failings, he still shows his grace and mercy to us in Christ.
As we plan, we must always evaluate our motives. Why do you want to go to that school? Why do you want to serve in that ministry? Why do you want to pursue that woman or that man? Why do you want that promotion? Why do you want to go to that church? The Lord knows your inner thoughts and motives. And we should seek motives that please Him.
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.
God knows all our motives. If we want our plans to succeed, we must plan well, evaluate our motives, and thirdly commit our plans to God.
C. Commit Your Plans to God
Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 15–31 (1) The Lord’s Sovereignty and the Human’s Responsibility (16:1–4a)
The admonition commit to (gōl ʾel, lit. “roll to/upon” cf. Gen 29:3, 8, 10; Ps. 22:9, 37:5) connotes a sense of finality; roll it unto the LORD and leave it there.
Cast your burden on the Lord,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved.
But it is you, a man, my equal,
my companion, my familiar friend.
We used to take sweet counsel together;
within God’s house we walked in the throng.
Let death steal over them;
let them go down to Sheol alive;
for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart.
But I call to God,
and the Lord will save me.
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David.
Give ear to my prayer, O God,
and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!
Attend to me, and answer me;
I am restless in my complaint and I moan,
because of the noise of the enemy,
because of the oppression of the wicked.
For they drop trouble upon me,
and in anger they bear a grudge against me.
My heart is in anguish within me;
the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
Fear and trembling come upon me,
and horror overwhelms me.
And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest;
yes, I would wander far away;
I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah
I would hurry to find a shelter
from the raging wind and tempest.”
Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues;
for I see violence and strife in the city.
Day and night they go around it
on its walls,
and iniquity and trouble are within it;
ruin is in its midst;
oppression and fraud
do not depart from its marketplace.
For it is not an enemy who taunts me—
then I could bear it;
it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—
then I could hide from him.
But it is you, a man, my equal,
my companion, my familiar friend.
We used to take sweet counsel together;
within God’s house we walked in the throng.
Let death steal over them;
let them go down to Sheol alive;
for evil is in their dwelling place and in their heart.
But I call to God,
and the Lord will save me.
Evening and morning and at noon
I utter my complaint and moan,
and he hears my voice.
He redeems my soul in safety
from the battle that I wage,
for many are arrayed against me.
God will give ear and humble them,
he who is enthroned from of old, Selah
because they do not change
and do not fear God.
My companion stretched out his hand against his friends;
he violated his covenant.
His speech was smooth as butter,
yet war was in his heart;
his words were softer than oil,
yet they were drawn swords.
Cast your burden on the Lord,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved.
But you, O God, will cast them down
into the pit of destruction;
men of blood and treachery
shall not live out half their days.
But I will trust in you.
Thus the first line of the proverb emphasizes man’s ability, as one made in God’s image, to think, reason and plan.
:1
This is just another reiteration of . We are to trust the Lord in all things. Because He is in control of all things, we commit all things to his good and perfect will.
The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 15–31 (3) Conclusion (16:8–9)
The heart (see 16:1) of a human being (ʾādām, see 16:1; cf. Ps. 140:2[3]; Isa. 10:7; Zech. 7:10; 8:17; Prov. 19:21; Jer. 4:14; Ezek. 38:10) plans (yeḥaššēb, see 6:3, 18), a poetic word for the result of human thought processes in strategizing that issues in actions.
We pray your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Jesus in the garden said, “Not my will, but your will be done.”
Christian
God’s sovereignty is exercised in his final decision, in his knowledge of all things, and in his execution to bring about success in our plans. And as believers, we know that all things work together for our good. We know that our Father is Good.
Christian—When you plan, make sure you pray. Check with Scripture as you evaluate your motives. Make sure you commit them to the Lord. And make sure you trust that your Heavenly Father knows what is best.
So, if you didn’t get accepted that school or get into that class you needed, trust in God. If you didn’t get that job you were praying about or your plans were delayed in your career, trust God. If you are single and desire to be married, trust in the sovereignty of God.
And as we seen, trusting in the sovereignty of God does not mean we sit on the couch and we do nothing. We work. We plan. We think. But understand God knows what He is doing with your life and is in complete control.
Church—As I think about the church, I am reminded that the Lord causes the growth in the church. We can preach, we can teach, we can share the gospel, but unless the Lord builds the house, those who labor, labor in vain. These verses shows we must be utterly dependent upon the Lord as we plan and think.
Transition:
But what happens when our plans don’t work out? What happens when you have a financial setback? What happens when you lose a job? What happens when you find out your are ill? What happens when you find out someone has slandered you and you lose your reputation? Is God sovereign over the bad things in our lives?
II. God’s Sovereignty in Evil (vv. 4-9)
II. God’s Sovereignty in Evil (vv. 4-9)
Secular people have a false sense of control in the world. Because we live longer and have better technology, we have a sense that we can control the world we live in.
People living 500 years ago didn’t believe that because they had a shorter life expectancy and it was normal for infants to die on a regular basis because of a lack of medicine and healthcare.
But even though we live longer and have technology that improves living, it does not mean we know whether we are going to live tomorrow. We are still dependent creatures.
Just a couple weeks ago, there was a power outage in our neighborhood. There was no power from 8-3pm. And it was one of those days where it was over 100 degrees. It was hot. We had no power.
And I kept complaining to my wife because normally we have the AC on. And worst of all, there was no wifi! I was joking with Helen and asking if we were going through the tribulation. No wifi. No Ac.We felt helpless.
I bet if wifi was shut down for one day, we would believe that the end of the world is near.
Americans don’t know how to deal with suffering because we are wealthy and live very comfortably.
If there is one thing that shows us that we are not in control of things, it is when we suffer and experience evil. Suffering often shows us how frail and helpless we are as creatures.
One of the greatest objections to the Christian faith is the problem of evil. By the time I complete this message, more than five children will have died from abuse or violence. Everyday, people die of malnutrition, terminal sicknesses, accidents, and natural disasters.
In fact, one of our members went to Vegas this weekend because she found out one of our cousins was in a deadly motorcycle.
How do we explain all the evil in the world if God is sovereign and in control? He either has no power, or he is not good if he could have prevented the evil non-believers will respond.
The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.
Proverbs 1
The text says God has made everything for its purpose. What? God even allowed evil for a purpose. God allows Satan to exist for a purpose. God allows terminal illnesses and death for a purpose. The Christian worldview gives meaning to our suffering. There are some things that only almighty God can understand.
I remember one day Serene was playing in the rose bush. She got a splinter. And the splinter was deep in her hand. And the only way to get the splinter out was to get tweezers out.
So I watched youtube. Then I tried to squeeze her hand and tried to yank it out. But serene was terrified because every time I touched it, it caused a little pain. She did not know that I needed to get it out because I didn’t want her hand to get infected.
So we had to hold her down after small group while she was screaming and crying and we eventually got it out.
She didn’t know that the pain and the pressure I was applying was for her good.
And in the same way, God allows pressure and pain sometimes for reasons we don’t have in the moment.
Remember the story of Joseph? After being betrayed by his brothers, sold in slavery, accused falsely by Potiphar’s wife, the Lord was still with him. And in the moving scene where he is reunited to the brothers who betrayed him, he says:
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Some suffering is mysterious and only God can understand.
I don’t have an answer for why someone would go into a hotel in Las Vegas and use an assault weapon to kill people randomly at a music concert. I don’t have a answer for why a husband would murder a pregnant wife and two children which I read this week on CNN.
Note: Some Christians say that 9/11 or a Tsunami was a result of the judgment of God. I think that is foolish to say.
The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 15–31 (3) Conclusion (16:8–9)
The heart (see 16:1) of a human being (ʾādām, see 16:1; cf. Ps. 140:2[3]; Isa. 10:7; Zech. 7:10; 8:17; Prov. 19:21; Jer. 4:14; Ezek. 38:10) plans (yeḥaššēb, see 6:3, 18), a poetic word for the result of human thought processes in strategizing that issues in actions.
There are some terrible things that happen in the world. But one thing I know, God is not removed from the suffering we experience in this world and will bring to account every evil deed if not in this life, but the next life.
God will punish evildoing.
Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.
Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.
The Washington Post “95 Year Old Nazi Guard living in the U.S. deported to Germany as Prosecutions for Holocaust Surge”
“On Tuesday, the White House announced that it had deported 95-year-old Jakiw Palij, the last known alleged former Nazi labor camp guard living in the United States. Palij is not facing charges, but prosecutors said that they were looking for more evidence that would justify criminal proceedings.
The resident of the Queens borough of New York was arrested Monday and deported to Germany early Tuesday, according to the U.S. Embassy in Berlin.”
The man admitted to working in a labor camp the same year the Nazis massacred 6,000 Jews there.
What makes this article interesting is that even though the crimes were committed more than 70 years ago, there is still a yearning in the human heart for justice even though it has been delayed.
And how much more in the Supreme Court of Heaven before Almighty God? We may think that we will not be held accountable for the thing we do in this life, but when we stand before our Maker, we will find ourselves standing before the bar of his holy and perfect justice.
God will deal with evil if not in this life, He will surely deal with it in the next life and make right all wrongs done against Him and sins against humanity.
Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
This proverb tells us that God will punish those who are arrogant or lifted in heart. Those who are arrogant or think they are in control rebel against the sovereignty of God. Abomination means something that is detestable and despised in the eyes of God.
God hates pride because it says He is not in control and attacks his character. God will punish even doing.
So why doesn’t he punish evil now?
I love what Tim Keller says in his book “Walking with God through Pain and Suffering”
If God were to put an end to evil, he would have to put an end to us.
“If God were to put an end to evil, that means he would have to put an end to us as well”
“Evil is so deeply rooted in the human heart that if Christ had come in power to destroy it everywhere he found it, he would have had to destroy us too. Instead of coming as a general at the head of an army, he went in weakness to the cross in order to pay for our sins, so that someday he will return to wipe out evil without having to judge us as well” (137)
We know God is sovereign over evil because the greatest display of his sovereignty over evil was the cross. The greatest evil that anyone has experienced in the world was in the suffering of the sinless Son of God.
And in the greatest act of evil by putting Jesus on the cross, the greatest display of sovereignty and mercy has been put on full display.
Evil Atoned
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
Steadfast love means God’s covenant love or loyal love and faithfulness means God’s ability to carry out his truth.
The text says that in covenant love and in truth, iniquity or evil is atoned for. We can think about the OT sacrificial system. God made a covenant with his people. They broke the covenant. And therefore, they needed sacrifice for their sins to be atoned for and be back in a right relationship with Him.
It is when we see Jesus hanging on the cross suffering for the evil we caused and all the evil the world has ever known, it make us fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
These are just another way of saying if you want to deal with evil in your own life, you must turn away from your sins and fear and trust in God. And you realize the price and the depths of the love of Christ, it will change you from the inside out.
When a man’s ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
You will love your enemies, because God loved you when you were an enemy.
Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
It is better to live with little and integrity than much without integrity.
“The Lord can decree nothing but good. If he permits evil, so far as not to hinder it, he
(nevertheless hates it as evil and permits it only for the greater good, and for the greatest good of all—the fuller manifestation of his own glory in it and out of it.” Charles Bridges.
And we see that glory displayed in the cross.
Christian—God can use the evil and the setbacks in your life for a greater purpose. We may not understand that in this life, but we will know when we see Him.
Each strand of sorrow has a place
Within this tapestry of grace;
So through the trials I choose to say:
“Your perfect will in your perfect way.”
So trust in God’s sovereignty when you are dealing with evil. Even when you are dealing with evil as a Christian.
The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.
This is the OT version of
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
God’s sovereignty should be a comfort. As one preacher would say, we rest our heads on the pillow of God’s sovereignty and trust that God will make things right.
Again, this does not diminish human responsibility.
Babylon was going to be a instrument of God’s judgment, yet God would also judge babylon for destroying the Temple and the exile of the people of Israel.
Judas was responsible for betraying Christ, yet it was predicted in Scripture.
For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”
The Jews were responsible for crucifying Christ, yet it was God’s forordained plan.
Who put Jesus on the cross?
God put Jesus on the cross through responsible human agent without being responsible for the evil.
Commentary on the Old Testament Chapter 16
his investigation goes to the root (cf. κριτικός, Heb. 4:12), his judgment rests on the knowledge of the true state of the matter, and excludes all deception, so that thus a man can escape the danger of delusion by no other means than by placing his way, i.e., his external and internal life, in the light of the word of God, and desiring for himself the all-penetrating test of the Searcher of hearts (Ps. 139:23f.), and the self-knowledge corresponding to the result of this test.
this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
Non-Christian—We are not here by chance. We are free agents who are held accountable to our maker. And one day, God will settle all accounts on the day of judgment. The question is will you find the favor of God, or will you find the wrath of God.
Christian—In God’s sovereignty, God may allow suffering in your life for many purposes that may not be clear at the time.
He may allow suffering to help you have a greater dependence on God. I find it interesting that prayer meeting suddenly increases in attendance when people are going through hard times or the church is going through difficult times.
He may allow suffering to refine your faith. Suffering in the Bible is likened to a furnace that refines precious gold. It is likened to a gym that strengthens spiritual character.
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:6-
He may allow suffering to help us have greater compassion towards those suffering.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 1:3-
Suffering Christian—If you are suffering, remember that you are not alone. You have a Savior who is not removed from suffering, but experienced infinite suffering for you so that all your suffering is not random or meaningless, but can be redemptive even though you don’t know why God allows it.
Prosperous Christian—If you are not suffering, there will be a time where you will go through suffering. And you need to remind yourselves of these truths to prepare you to go through the fire. It is one thing to intellectually believe in the sovereignty of God, its another thing to trust in the sovereignty of God when you are actually enduring pain and sorrow.
Stupid counselors—And for those of us who want to comfort others, we must be very careful how we use our words regarding those who suffer. A person who just lost a husband or a child may not want to hear “I know what you are going through” or “God’s plan is best”.
Note: Some Christians say that 9/11 or a Tsunami was a result of the judgment of God. I think that is foolish to say.
Sometimes, the best thing is to weep with those who weep in silence.
There is a way of using theology and theological arguments that wounds rather than heals. This is not the fault of theology and theological arguments; it is the fault of the ‘miserable comforter’who fastens on an inappropriate fragment of truth, or whose time is off, or whose attitude is condescending, or whose application is insensitive, or whose true theology is couched in such culture-laden cliches that they grate rather than comfort.
Church—As a church,, we must continue to gather and remind one another of God’s sovereignty. We must continue to pray that God’s will be done. And we must Trust God for the growth as we seek to share the gospel. We should also sing songs that prepare us for trials and suffering.
Transition: God is sovereign over the details and plans over our lives, he is sovereign over the evil we experience in this life, and God exercises his sovereignty through an ideal king.
III. God’s Sovereignty in the King (vv. 10-15)
III. God’s Sovereignty in the King (vv. 10-15)
As Americans, we don’t understand what it means to be ruled by a king. Most of human civilization were ruled by kings, whether or not they were righteous or not. We are often disillusioned with authority because we see so many bad people in place of authority.
But I believe that the human heart long for those who use their authority rightly. It is a blessing when a man uses his authority to serve his wife. It is a blessing when the police use their authority to protect its citizens. It is a blessing when military protects us from foreign invaders. And it is a blessing when those in highest authority use it for good.
The problem for us is that our examples often fall terribly short.
Adam was made to be a priest-king. He was made to rule the earth. He was made to represent God in the world. But because of sin, he failed to rule and subdue the earth filling the earth with the glory of the Lord.
And when we think about Saul, he failed through his disobedience. Even as great as a King David was, he also failed through his adultery with Bathsheba and not being able to manage his own home. Solomon would also fail in ruling well.
When the people of Israel asked for a king, it wasn’t wrong for their to ask for a king as it was predicted in scripture. The problem for Israel that in asking for a king, they wanted to be like the nations.
Israel was to have a King who would establish God’s kingdom on earth.
It was God’s plan to rule his people through a wise and righteous king. So here, the Proverbs present us a picture of what happens when a righteous and anointed King rules.
What does the ideal king look like?
The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 15–31 (1) The King’s Authority (16:10–11)
In short, the proverb presents the ideal king and anticipates the Messiah (cf. John 5:19–30).
The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 15–31 (1) The King’s Authority (16:10–11)
Human salvation lies in the King from heaven, the only one who fulfills these proverbs. He does so in part through his Spirit in his church on earth.
The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 15–31 (1) The King’s Authority (16:10–11)
In sum, the Author of life mediates life through his just king (cf. Ps. 72:15–17), whose wrath heralds subsequent death and whose favor heralds subsequent life.
III. God’s Sovereignty in the King (vv. 10-15)
III. God’s Sovereignty in the King (vv. 10-15)
Adam was made to be a priest-king. He was made to rule the earth. He was made to represent God in the world.
And he failed. Saul, David, and Solomon failed as Kings.
What does the ideal king look like?
A. He Speaks God’s Truth
A. He Speaks God’s Truth
An oracle is on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgment.
This king is the one who has the ability to speak the oracles of God. The ancient Kings of Israel were to meditate on the word of God in . They were in fact to memorize and write it out so that they would not depart from God’s Word.
The perfect King who God rules through speaks God’s Word. He does not speak foolishly or rashly.
B. He Exercises Justice
B. He Exercises Justice
A just balance and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for the throne is established by righteousness.
The word translated ‘weights’ is literally ‘stones.’ Merchants used scales and a set of pre-weighed stones to measure out silver in payment for goods and services. Unscrupulous businessmen would carry a set of stones that were lighter than labeled and also a set that were heavier that labeled. His choice of which set was used was determined by who was paying whom. Official weights and measures were established by the king. ‘… [H]e weighed the hair of his head at 200 shekels by the king’s weight’ (2 Sam. 14:26, emphasis added).
Don’t we long for true justice in this world? Don’t we long for every evil to be judged?
Solomon failed to rule righteously because he loved foreign women and the idols they brought. Therefore his kingdom would eventually be split though his foolish sons.
But the Lord Jesus Christ, he establishes his reign through true justice and righteousness.
C. He Has Power Over Life and Death
C. He Has Power Over Life and Death
A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will appease it.
In the ancient world, the king had the ability to enforce and execute punishment. Those who were not of the king’s favor, were executed at the snap of his fingers.
Think about King Ahasuerus in Esther’s time who called for Haman to be executed in the gallows.
Think about Herod who called for the deaths of the infants of Bethlehem.
Wicked kings could enforce execution if you did not find favor in their eyes.
The point is that the king had the power over life and death.
My son, fear the Lord and the king,
and do not join with those who do otherwise,
for disaster will arise suddenly from them,
and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?
D. He Shows Grace/Favor
D. He Shows Grace/Favor
In the light of a king’s face there is life,
and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
As farmers were waiting for the rain in March and April to bring about the rain to prepare for the harvest, so it is with the favor of the King. The righteous King would bring blessing and prosperity to His people.
The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 15–31 (1) The King’s Authority (16:10–11)
In short, the proverb presents the ideal king and anticipates the Messiah (cf. John 5:19–30).
The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 15–31 (1) The King’s Authority (16:10–11)
Human salvation lies in the King from heaven, the only one who fulfills these proverbs. He does so in part through his Spirit in his church on earth.
The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 15–31 (1) The King’s Authority (16:10–11)
In sum, the Author of life mediates life through his just king (cf. Ps. 72:15–17), whose wrath heralds subsequent death and whose favor heralds subsequent life.
“The more we know God, ourselves, the human heart, the order of creation, the times and seasons, the more we will have the wisdom to make good decisions. Modern people want a technique for guidance, ‘five steps to good decisions.’ God offers wise character, hard won over a lifetime.” Tim Keller
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
CFBC, who is this perfect King who exercises his sovereign rule? Who is this perfect King who speaks God’s Word as prophet, who exercises justice as a righteous King, who atones for the sins of His people as a perfect priest, and who has the power over life and death and can show favor with those whom he is pleased?
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
Matthew 28:19
Thus the first line of the proverb emphasizes man’s ability, as one made in God’s image, to think, reason and plan.
It is the King who came not with a sword in his hands, but wrist in his hands.
It is the King who came to lose his life, so we can find our lives.
It is the King who gave up everything to redeem us from the slavery of our sin and make us sons and daughters.
Understand that God is in control.
It is the King who came not in power and judgment, but in humility and sacrifice.
Examine your motives.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
And it is our King who rules and reigns and is seated at the right hand of God who will come in power and judgment to show favor to those whom he is pleased and judgment to those who have rejected His rule in their lives.
Roll All Your Plans On God.
Non-Christian
If you are not a Christian today, there is a King who is ruling in heaven. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. My question for you is He your king? Because the King came the first time to bring salvation, but He is coming a second time for judgment.
God Rules Over Evil: Think about Pharoah, Babylon, Christ.
You life is but a vapor and you are not in control of your life. Embrace this King by turning from your sins and trusting in Him alone for your salvation. Believe that this man hanging on the cross, was hanging for your sins and bearing your condemnation. And believe that this King was raised from the dead. And is the King is coming to make all things right and rule over his enemies.
Will you follow this King? The King who died for you?
Believe that this King will show you favor because you will have his favor if you trust Him now.
Turn from evil and Fear the Lord. Fear the King of Kings.
My son, fear the Lord and the king,
and do not join with those who do otherwise,
for disaster will arise suddenly from them,
and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?
Leaders
This is a good lesson on leadership. If we want to lead well, we must speak God’s word, seek justice and show favor to those in need.
Christian
If we are Christian, let us continue to worship the King. Let us continue to exalt the King. Let us continue to pray to the King. And let us continue to live for the King as we share news about the King who runs this universe.
Summary
How can we have biblical guidance?
Scripture
Authorities
Conscience
Motives
Giftedness
Impact on others
The word translated ‘weights’ is literally ‘stones.’ Merchants used scales and a set of pre-weighed stones to measure out silver in payment for goods and services. Unscrupulous businessmen would carry a set of stones that were lighter than labeled and also a set that were heavier that labeled. His choice of which set was used was determined by who was paying whom. Official weights and measures were established by the king. ‘… [H]e weighed the hair of his head at 200 shekels by the king’s weight’ (2 Sam. 14:26, emphasis added).
So shows us that God is absolutely sovereign and in control of all things. We should not fear when things don’t go our way because God is involved in the details of our lives. We should not fear when we face suffering and evil, knowing that Christ has defeated evil at the cross and he rose again from the dead and is coming again to restore all things. And we see that God exercises his sovereignty through the King who has brought salvation.
Akin, Jonathan. Exalting Jesus in Proverbs (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) (Kindle Locations 2733-2734). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Akin, Jonathan. Exalting Jesus in Proverbs (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) (Kindle Locations 2733-2734). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
God put Jesus on the cross through responsible human agent without being responsible for the evil.
this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
For David says concerning him,
“ ‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
The Washington Post “95 Year Old Nazi Guard living in the U.S. deported to Germany as Prosecutions for Holocaust Surge”
Let us trust the Lord with our lives and believe that He works all things for good for those who love him and are called according to His purpose.
“On Tuesday, the White House announced that it had deported 95-year-old Jakiw Palij, the last known alleged former Nazi labor camp guard living in the United States. Palij is not facing charges, but prosecutors said that they were looking for more evidence that would justify criminal proceedings.
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.
On Tuesday, the White House announced that it had deported 95-year-old Jakiw Palij, the last known alleged former Nazi labor camp guard living in the United States. Palij is not facing charges, but prosecutors said that they were looking for more evidence that would justify criminal proceedings.
The resident of the Queens borough of New York was arrested Monday and deported to Germany early Tuesday, according to the U.S. Embassy in Berlin.”
The man admitted to working in a labor camp the same year the Nazis massacred 6,000 Jews there.
What makes this article interesting is that even though the crimes were committed more than 70 years ago, there is still a yearning in the human heart for justice even though it has been delayed.
And how much more in the Supreme Court of Heaven before Almighty God? We may think that we will not be held accountable for the thing we do in this life, but when we stand before our Maker, we will find ourselves standing before the bar of his holy and perfect justice.
God will deal with evil if not in this life, He will surely deal with it in the next life and make right all wrongs done against Him and sins against humanity.
G
A just balance and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
Commentary on the Old Testament Chapter 16
his investigation goes to the root (cf. κριτικός, Heb. 4:12), his judgment rests on the knowledge of the true state of the matter, and excludes all deception, so that thus a man can escape the danger of delusion by no other means than by placing his way, i.e., his external and internal life, in the light of the word of God, and desiring for himself the all-penetrating test of the Searcher of hearts (Ps. 139:23f.), and the self-knowledge corresponding to the result of this test.
What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
See here, 1. How the guilt of sin is taken away from us—by the mercy and truth of God, mercy in promising, truth in performing, the mercy and truth which kiss each other in Jesus Christ the Mediator—by the covenant of grace, in which mercy and truth shine so brightly—by our mercy and truth, as the condition of the pardon and a necessary qualification for it—by these, and not by the legal sacrifices, Mic. 6:7, 8. 2.
Better to have little with integrity than have much without integrity.
“Providence” refers to God’s preservation of his creation, directing it toward his ends. SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY BIBLE
And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
One viral video that popped up on my news feed this past week was from a popular preacher Steve Furtick on a Youtube clip said “The One Thing Jesus Could Not Do”.
There’s one thing that even Jesus cannot do. One thing that the Son of God cannot do. Even Jesus cannot override your unbelief…He wanted to, he was prepared to, and he was able to, and he couldn’t.
“The Bible teaches that God is completely in control of what happens in history and yet he exercises that control in such a way that human beings are their freely chosen actions and the results of those actions. Human freedom and God’s direction of historical events are therefore completely compatible.” Tim Keller