142. The Plans Of Man And The Sovereignty Of God (Proverbs 16:7-9)

8/13/2023

Turn with me to Proverbs 16:7-9. These are our verses to study and memorize this week.

Proverbs 16:7-9 When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8 Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice. 9 The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

Introduction

These verses conclude this immediate 9 verse section. They are giving us a reminder of the foundation we need as we read and study the next larger grouping of 7 chapters of Solomon’s proverbs. This is not just good general advice. This is God’s wisdom. Each verse, even if it does not specifically mention Him, will be an invaluable ruby for living righteously in His world. To set that foundation these verses have focused primarily on God’s sovereignty over all things. As we have been seeing, all of our plans and all of our actions need to be considered in light of Him. These last three verses now turn to emphasizing how intensely God impacts our relationships with other people, our relationship with money and righteousness, and our plans for life being fulfilled or not.

With that overview, let’s take a closer look at these verses.

7 When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

The Lord guides and protects those who walk in His way. Pleasing the Lord ends up reconciling others to us.

In contrast to verse 5, where we see pride being an abomination to the Lord which will be punished, here we see that the blessing of being in right relationship with God is that one’s enemies will end up at peace with him. Disgusting God brings punishment. Pleasing Him brings blessing.

There are a few angles from which to understand this verse. In light of the sovereignty of God that we are seeing in this section it tells us that God is actively involved in the lives and situations of those who please Him to work things out for good. He is the living God, as Scripture portrays Him. He is intimately aware of and involved in everything that is going on in history and in our lives. His providence, and even miracles, work together to perfectly carry out His plan for all things. We just saw that in Proverbs 16:4.

Proverbs 16:4 The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.

Romans 8:28-30 also focuses on this and gives us God’s perspective from eternity past to eternity future.

Romans 8:28-30 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

God is at work in all of our situations to carry out these things. When we are walking in obedience to God with no unconfessed sin there is a special protection, guidance, and oversight which guarantees things are working out for our best.

From another standpoint it is also true that one’s righteous, pleasing ways will often end up bringing reconciliation or toleration even with one’s enemies. When we do what is right and loving—regardless of what other people do and regardless of how they treat us—it impacts them. Returning good for evil often has a way of taking the wind out of someone’s else’s sails and calming situations down.

Refusing to get angry and retaliate while responding righteously with peace, patience, truth, love and kindness confronts people with what is truly right versus what is plainly wrong. Turning one’s cheek makes their evil response an obvious and clear wrong. Unless one is blatantly and willfully going to defy God and pursue evil, peace is the only other option.¹

The uncomfortable reality, though, is that even with both of these truths, peace with our enemies does not yet always take place fully or immediately. Wars have continued on throughout history and the people of God have often been trampled and slaughtered in their wake. Indeed, the New Testament directly proclaims (2 Timothy 3:12) that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

This is where we need a third, broader angle of looking at this proverb. We have to look at the big picture to see things from God’s timing and perspective. It will take place. God will deal with all of His enemies as they deserve. He will make peace. If we are right with and pleasing God, then all of our enemies will also be God’s enemies. Peace will be made with them. It will truly be as Romans 8:31 says, “if God is for us, who is against us?” Remember what Psalm 2:2-4 says?

Psalm 2:2-4 The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them.

The mightiest of man’s threats and actions can do nothing against God. The rest of that Psalm says that the Son of God will one day receive the nations for an inheritance from the Father. He shall break the sinful, rebellious nations with a rod of iron and shatter them like earthenware (Ps. 2:7-9). Peace will come when He finally makes it come by force. Everyone will be brought into submission to God. All wars will cease. Philippians 2:10-11 depicts this.

Philippians 2:10-11 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Those who do not surrender to and trust in Jesus now, voluntarily, will still end up surrendering to Him and acknowledging Him as Lord. He will not be their savior, but He will still be acknowledged as Lord of all when He judges them. Because of this Psalm 2 says in its conclusion: “How blessed are all who take refuge in Him” (Ps. 2:12).

It will be infinitely better to humble ourselves before God now, acknowledge our sin, turn from trusting it, and trust in Jesus as our savior than to be among the enemies of God who are forcibly subjugated and judged. Take refuge in Him.

Scriptural Example: In Scripture we see an example of this Proverb in 1 Samuel 25 with the incident between David, Nabal, and Abigail. Nabal had noxiously spurned David’s request for a gift of food after his men had been protecting Nabal’s shepherds and flocks. Nabal returned evil for good. David was so enraged that he went on the war path. Thankfully Nabal’s wife Abigail met him on the way and interceded with wise words and a large gift of food.

On the one hand, Abigail herself was pleasing to the Lord. She immediately did what she could to fix an injustice. Because of that an enemy, David and his men who were on their way to destroy all the men of her household, was brought to peace. David listened to her wisdom and righteousness and did not carry out his plan of vengeance.

On the other hand, David himself had been living in a way that honored and pleased God. He was being treated unjustly here. In his kindness God intervened and protected David from war with his enemy. He brought a reconciler, Abigail, in between them who made peace. David listened to Abigail’s wisdom and realized that it would indeed have been a stain on his character if he had carried out this retribution. Heeding her wisdom and choosing to walk in righteousness protected David and brought peace.

Additionally, we also see the Lord taking direct action and bringing a final justice and peace to the whole situation. Ten days after this event the Lord himself struck Nabal dead. From these three angles we see how peace is brought about. By living righteously our actions can bring about peace with others. By continuing to follow what is righteous our actions can keep us from bringing strife into situations and promote peace. Finally, God’s actions will end up bringing ultimate justice and peace. In this case it was quick.

Proverb in Comparison: When we compare this proverb with other Scriptures Romans 12:14-21 seems to encapsulate well our responsibility as we trust in God to bring about His final enduring peace.

Romans 12:14-21 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 20 “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

It pleases the Lord when we humbly overcome evil with good by doing what is right. That supernatural peace of God transforming our lives into peace-makers is a powerful testimony of God’s grace.

As we think of this proverb in light of other Scriptures, we should also note that this mention of “pleasing” the Lord presupposes that someone is trusting in God for their redemption. Faith in Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sins and to reconcile us to God is the only way that we can be pleasing to Him in the first place. Hebrews 11:6 makes that clear.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

It is only when we are trusting in God for His salvation and realizing what He has forgiven us of that we will also be able to truly love our enemies like He first loved us. Only a true knowledge of His love will be able to overcome the hurts and evil of other people towards us and enable us to make peace.

Truth in Connection: As Christians, the bottom line of what we should learn here is this: 1. Trust in God’s sovereignty over your life to protect you from enemies and to produce good in circumstances. 2. Be a peacemaker. Live out the manner of life that pleases God in the righteousness and love that He calls us to. God will often use that itself to bring peace with enemies. 3. Be encouraged and remember that God will ultimately bring peace between us and everyone else when He judges this world and recreates it in perfect goodness.

Our next verse turns to one of the biggest focuses that people generally have in life.

8 Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice.

Holiness is more important than money.

This is the one verse in this 9 verse section which does not explicitly mention God. However, the mention of righteousness and injustice in the context of all the verses around it (not to mention the focus of the whole book) demands that we see it in relation to God. Without God there is no true, universal standard of righteousness or justice to choose from. Without Him right and wrong itself is subjective. It just depends on the changing whims of individuals or authority figures. Thus, for this verse to mean anything it has to be read in light of God. It has to be seen in light of His standard of righteousness and justice that we see in His Scriptures.

As we read it in light of God, we see that it is better to have righteousness without possessions than possessions without righteousness. Pursuing righteousness and justice needs to be primary in our lives, not money. It does not matter how much money or how many things we might have, if we do not have righteousness and justice it will all end up worthless.

Why? Because we will all be held accountable to God’s justice for our righteousness or lack thereof. In our previous verses we have been seeing that in a number of ways. Think about what we have seen. The right plans and words come from God. The Lord is the one who weighs and judges our motives. It is only plans that are in accord with God’s standard of righteousness which will be left established. Indeed, the Lord has made everything for its purpose. Because He is disgusted by pride He will punish every single proud person who exalts himself or herself against Him. True peace only comes to those who trust in the Lord and thus please Him. Therefore, because God designed everything, knows everything, weighs everything, and will punish all proud defiance of His righteous standards it is better to be poor and righteous than rich and unjust. The riches we accumulate will do nothing to stop God’s judgment and justice.

Scriptural Example: In Scripture we see quite a number of positive examples of this proverb. Ruth stuck with Naomi and chose to follow God rather than go back to the idolatry and seeming safety and security of her parents household in Moab (Ruth 1). Jonathan chose a righteous friendship with David over trying to unjustly hold onto a kingdom from his father (1 Samuel 20). Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah chose the fiery furnace over idolatry and the favor of king Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3). John the Baptist chose righteousness over the favor of king Herod. Thus he rebuked Herod for his sin and was imprisoned and eventually beheaded (John 14:1-12). Physically speaking, all of these people put themselves into great hardship because of their holding onto and pursuing righteousness. Nonetheless, the favor and blessing of God is of infinitely greater worth than the temporary treasures or pleasures of this world. Once we die our money will all be gone. Once we die we will receive our true eternal reward or judgment.

On the negative side, the rich young ruler is a sad example of this reality in Luke 19:16-30. He said he wanted eternal life, but when Jesus pointed out that his idolatrous fixation on money would have to be let go of he would not leave it and follow Jesus. Riches blinded him. He was deceived into living like money was more important than God and righteousness. He would not trust God that His way of redemption and life was right and best.

Proverb in Comparison: When we compare this proverb with the rest of Scriptures we see it lived out in Paul’s life. In Philippians 3:4-11 we see the contrast between Paul’s former life with what he originally took pride in and what he now valued and pursued as a Christian.

Philippians 3:4-11 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. 7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Our former fleshly pursuits, our treasures on this earth, and our money have no eternal worth. Paul knew that. So he lived to know Christ. He knew that on his own he had no righteousness. He needed the righteousness of Christ which is a free gift from God to all those who trust in Him as their Lord and Savior. Then in knowing Christ, He wanted to know Him more and to please Him. That was all that really mattered.

Truth in Connection: What Jesus did on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin is the only way we can be righteous. Having that righteousness is the only thing of true, lasting value. Only that will pay for our sins and reconcile us to God and bring us eternal life. Without that it does not matter how much we have or what we accomplish or how much earthly power we have. We will still experience the just judgment of our sins from God.

What are you valuing and pursuing? Do you value money more than righteousness? Do you cut corners on doing what is right when money is involved? Realize that in doing that you are sacrificing what is of eternal value for what is empty and will not last. You are sacrificing your relationship with God or fellowship with Him for fleeting money. The favor and blessing of God is priceless. Live in light of God in your pursuit and use of money. Always remember: “Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice.”

Our next verse concludes this foundational focus on the Lord and His sovereignty by returning to the plans of man which were mentioned in verses 1 and 3.

9 The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

People make their plans, but the sovereignty of the Lord oversees what actually happens.

Verse 1 began this section highlighting how the heart of people make plans for life. Our last verse comes full circle and returns to that focus. In both verses the second half contrasts that with how planning relates to God. In verse 1 we saw that while we may plan, what really matters is God’s perspective. His view and His answer to what we should do and how we should speak is of utmost importance. God’s way is right. So to have the right word to respond, or to have the right view on what we should do we need to go to Him for His wisdom. Now, here in verse 9 we see that if we choose to disregard His perspective on what is right we will not get away with our plans. God is sovereign. Our plans are subject to both His ultimate judgment, as well as His right to intervene at any point.

It is in the nature of us as people to make plans for what we want to do and for what we want to accomplish. We have goals that we want to pursue. Oftentimes we think that we can make happen whatever we want. We live as if we were truly the captain of our fates and the determiners of our destiny. If we just work hard enough we can make it happen. As this proverb points out, the reality is that all of our plans and life is subject to God’s authority and sovereignty. We can plan and work all we want, but we do not have power over everything that could happen. Health issues can develop. Financial issues could change. Governments and laws could change. Natural disasters can occur. Accidents can happen.

God, though, can make the impossible possible, and the possible impossible. Because of that we should commit all of our plans and works to Him. We should seek His wisdom and guidance. We should trust that He has made everything for its own purpose and that in the end He will accomplish every thing that He has planned. Disregarding His wisdom and sovereignty is the height of foolishness.

Scriptural Example: In Scripture we see this involvement of God in people’s lives and the importance of living in light of His sovereign plan quite often. Negatively, Haman makes a striking example. In the book of Esther we see his conniving against the Jewish people to destroy them as a group, as well as to destroy Mordecai specifically. Seemingly he made his plans airtight. They were even approved into the unchangeable law of the Medes and Persians. Humanly it looked hopeless for Israel and Mordecai. But God had made a promise to the Jewish people that through them the Messiah would come. Even in their exile He would not abandon them to destruction. God providentially arranged circumstances and made a way for their rescue, as the rest of the book of Esther records. In the end Haman and his sons were hanged. The other enemies of the Jewish people were themselves despoiled and Mordecai became second only to the king in authority (Esther 10:3). Man planned, but God brought about His purposes.

A bit more positively, but still in consternation to the plans of man, was God’s work in the lives of Abraham and Sarah. God had promised the aging, childless Abraham a son who would be an heir to the promises God had made. With Sarah being barren and beyond child-bearing years they made their own plans and took things into their own hands. Abraham ended up with a physical son, Ishmael, through Hagar. But that was not the fulfillment of God’s promise according to His plan and brought much heartache. More than a decade later God intervened and did the humanly impossible. He rejuvenated their bodies, opened Sarah’s womb, and gave them Isaac who would truly fulfill God’s promise.

Abraham and Sarah made their plans and were even trying to work with God’s proclaimed promises. But they did it the wrong way without seeking God. We need to remember that regardless of the difficulties that we might see, God always accomplishes His purposes and plan. He is the one who is sovereign over all things. He is the one we can and need to trust to work all things out for true good. From this specific instance we also learn that there is a great danger of doing something in God’s name and for Him without really seeking Him. We need the wisdom and guidance of God in everything otherwise we too might be deceived into thinking a foolish plan is actually the will of God. If we are not continually meditating on God’s Word and committing all our works to the Lord it will easily happen.

Proverb in Comparison: When we compare this Proverb with the rest of Scripture we see God’s purpose for our lives that we ought to be planning towards. It is to live for the praise of His glory. Notice how many times Paul mentions that purpose in Ephesians 1:3-14 when he gives a long, one-sentence overview of God’s sovereign plan for history and salvation.

Ephesians 1:3-14 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. (Emphasis added)

That should be the goal of our lives. In 1 Corinthians 10:31 Paul much more succinctly restates our purpose in life. This version would be much easier to memorize and daily use to remind yourself:

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (cf. also Colossians 3:17)

Truth in Connection: The reality in this world is that oftentimes our lives will turn out quite a lot differently than we expected, planned, or wanted. As part of God’s creation we need to recognize His sovereignty over this world and our lives. We need to trust Him for what is best and work with His will and purpose for our lives.

This starts with recognizing God’s sovereignty in salvation. To begin with our sin has messed up our lives and caused us to depart from God’s good and perfect design for our lives. We have brought ruin, destruction, and death upon ourselves and this world. We have defied God and brought ourselves under His coming just judgment. The only way we can be reconciled to God and positively be brought back into His perfect plan is to turn from our sinful pride and trust His way of redemption in Jesus.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

In God’s perfect, loving plan Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin and bring us eternal life. After three days He rose again proving His power over sin and death. We cannot earn it. We do not deserve it. This eternal life in Jesus is a free gift to all those who trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Are you trusting in Him?

When we do God redeems us, reconciles us, justifies us, adopts us, gives us His Spirit to indwell us, and promises to give us new, perfect, eternal bodies when He bring us to Himself or comes back for us. That is His perfect plan which He will bring about regardless of how the nations rage against Him.

In the meantime His plan is for us to live to the praise of His glory. In doing that He has a purpose for us in being ambassadors to the world for Him. He wants us to proclaim the good news of His salvation. He wants us to teach those who believe in Him everything that He taught us in His Word. He wants us to publicly proclaim Him through the baptism of new disciples. He wants us to use the spiritual gifts He has given to us to build up fellow members of His church and exalt Him.

Our plans and purposes need to be in line with His purposes for our lives. Sometimes we will misunderstand aspects of what He has for our lives. But as we trust in Him, acknowledging Him in all our ways and leaning not on our own understanding, He will perfectly direct our steps.

Are you making your plans apart from God’s plans? Or with them? Are you making your plans in full recognition of His sovereignty? The only way we can make our plans in line with God’s will is to understand it from what He has taught us in His Word. Are you prioritizing reading, meditating, and following it so that you are not led into following the world’s sinful, selfish way of thinking and planning? If we are not intentional about this it will not happen. The world’s influences come from every angle. We must be intentional and decide to focus on the truths of God’s Word, We must be intentional to sing it, to memorize it, and to meditate on it. Otherwise it will not happen. What will happen is that we will be surprised, discouraged, and disheartened when our plans come to nothing. May that not be the case in our lives. May we live for His glory and walk in His plans for our lives.

Conclusion

If you have any questions on any of this or want help in coming to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior please come talk with us. We are available. Let’s pray.

© 2023, Kevin A. Dodge, All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible^® (NASB),Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org