Mankind has the ability and freedom to choose the path they want to go down, but that doesn’t mean God lacks control over their plans or is ignorant to what is happening. In my article on “Luck and the Sovereignty of God,” I discussed the difference between man’s free will and God’s sovereignty over him.
The Sovereignty of God is the fact that He is the Lord over creation and exercises that rule. This rule is exercised through His authority as king. He has control over all things, is present with His covenantal people, and cares for His creation. Man’s free will allows him to do what seems right to him, but to realize he must answer to God for every action taken. What then should be the response of mankind in their plans? That is what this article will discuss.
The Plans of man
Proverbs 16 is a chapter dedicated to the workings of mankind in relation to the sovereignty of God. In it, King Solomon, the wisest man to ever live prior to Jesus, wrote:
"The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the LORD weighs the motives. Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established. The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil. Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; assuredly, he will not be unpunished. By loving kindness and truth, iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil. When man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice. The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD direct his steps" (16:1-9).
[For a great commentary on the Book of Proverbs, check out the “Mentor’s Commentary” on Amazon]
The name of the LORD is used eight times in verses 1-9. These verses form a distinct section not just from its thematic use of the divine name; but because of the distinct similarity of verses one and nine. These two verses form what is called an ‘inclusion.’ It marks off a section of the Bible that specifically deals with a topic, otherwise known as a ‘pericope.’ This particular section deals with the relationship of God’s sovereignty and man’s activity.
Verse 1 – Plans of the Heart
"The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD."
The root of ‘plans‘ describes arranging something in an orderly manner. Other related forms of the word can describe: (1) setting forth an army in battle array (Genesis 14:8); (2) the priest’s orderly arrangement of items before the altar (Leviticus 1:8; 24:8); or (3) the logical and ordered presentation of a legal case (Job 13:18).
Therefore, the first line of the proverb emphasizes man’s ability—as one made in God’s image—to think, reason and plan. This is an ability that God gives and is God-glorifying. However, it must be undertaken with humility and dependence upon God.
The second line brings a contrast to the freedom of man to make his plans. While the thought and design may ‘belong to man;’ the best response to the immediate need ‘is from the LORD.’
The word translated ‘answer‘ describes more than a mere reply. It is the correct and perfect response to the immediate situation. While man may plan what he thinks is best, only the God who knows all things can put the perfect and effective answer in his mouth.
Verse 2 – Ways of the Man
"All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the LORD weighs the motives."
Verse two continues the theme of God’s sovereignty over the ways of man with an antithetical proverb. The inward plans of a man (vs. 1) have now become his outward actions (ways). It is the natural tendency for humans to justify themselves; and thus, try to rationalize their ways (Proverbs 12:15; 14:12). They are seen as ‘clean’ or ‘right’ in their own eyes. This word is used elsewhere in the Bible to describe uncontaminated oil or undiluted liquid. However, such subjectivity is what leads man astray many times (16:25).
There may also be an allusion to the Egyptian belief of weighing the heart after death to determine righteousness. But in Hebrew thought it is an ongoing evaluation as well, not merely an evaluation after death.
The ultimate answer to a subjective, self-examination is to be constantly aware of God’s objective test of one’s motives (Proverbs 17:3; 21:2; 1 Samuel 16:7).
Verse 3 – Establishing a Plan
"Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established."
The verb ‘to commit’ literally means ‘to roll’ and is used to describe rolling a large stone from the mouth of a well (Genesis 29:3, 8, 10). It seems the idea is that one rolls their planned or proposed works onto the Lord. When you pray, you roll the anxiety of whether or not your hopes and plans will come true onto God (Psalm 22:8; 37:5; 55:22). Much like the stone over a well is heavy to move, it may be difficult to give up your works and plans to God’s ways. However, it is important to remember to “Cast your burdens on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
God does not guarantee that any plan you come up with will succeed. Only those plans that the LORD has had a part in (vs. 1) and has been allowed to scrutinize (vs. 2). When your plans align with His plan, your plans become a part of His story. His story is the redemption of the world. If you plan and undertake your dreams with dependance upon the LORD for their fulfillment (v. 1), and humbly acknowledge your accountability to Him (vs. 2), He delights to mold your plans into His and thus ‘establishes’ them (also Psalm 90:17; Proverbs 4:26).
The verb ‘established’ is used to describe God’s work in creation (Proverbs 8:27-29). God established the heavens and the earth. He gives the privilege of seeing your hopes, dreams, and aspirations become a part of His story for the world.
Verse 4 – Everything Has a Purpose
"The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil."
This verse is a difficult one for translators. The word for ‘purpose’ literally means ‘answer.’ Is God saying that everything is created to ultimately answer to something? Would it answer to God, or maybe the purpose it was created for?
Most commentators and translators opt for using the word ‘purpose.’ The point seems to be that God makes everything answer to the divine purpose which it is created for. This means that consequences always correspond to actions. Because God has created a moral order to the universe, no one has impunity in their actions. For the righteous, this should be of great comfort; however, for the ungodly there should be great fear.
“What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?” (Romans 9:22)
Verse 5 – The Proud Heart
"Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; assuredly, he will not be unpunished."
God’s sovereignty is extended even to the wicked. Solomon, now, specifies a kind of evil person: the proud of heart. Literally this kind of person is one who is ‘lifted up in heart.’ The proud person is a direct attack to God Himself. An attempt to undermine His sovereignty. Such people are ‘an abomination to the LORD’ (c.f. Proverbs 6:16-19).
Notice what Satan’s five ‘I will‘ statements are in Isaiah 14:12-14:
- I will ascend to heaven.
- I will raise my throne above the stars of God,
- I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the recesses of the north.
- I will ascend above the heights of the clouds.
- I will make myself like the Most High.
As the second line to this verse states, “Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.” This phrase is a guarantee that such a person will be punished. The word ‘assuredly’ may look back to the sealing of a transaction with a handshake. This testimony provides certainty that each party will hold to the agreement. With certainty, the proud and haughty person will not be free or exempt from guilt or responsibility.
Verse 6 – Lovingkindness and Truth
"By loving kindness and truth, iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil."
Is this verse teaching that salvation is by works? Does the ‘lovingkindness and truth’ refer to qualities in God which moved Him to make provision for sin in Christ? Or perhaps do they refer to qualities found in the one who finds forgiveness from God?
The context indicates that these qualities are seen in the person (c.f. Proverbs 3:3; 20:28; Isaiah 39:8). The parallel use of ‘the fear of the LORD’ (a quality found in a person) helps solidify that. However, it does not go against the idea of grace alone for atoning sin (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, it does not go against the idea of grace alone for atoning sin (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Atonement is a technical word used of the ‘provision’ for sin done through the sacrificial system (Leviticus 1:4; 4:20, 26, 31, 35). However, it is also used in another way. Later in the chapter, the same word is used to describe a ‘covering’ for sin; but not in a redemptive way, in a relational way.
Verse fourteen says, “The wrath of a king is as messengers of death, but a wise man will appease [cover] it.” Proverbs 10:12 also follows this thought, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.”
Since it is not pointing to salvation from our sins and having redemptive peace with God, it must mean having relational peace between one another. The second part of this verse also helps reiterate this. It speaks of avoiding undue calamity. The word ‘evil’ can refer to calamity or mean a moral evil. Both meanings fit this context. Avoiding it can only be accomplished through ‘fear of the LORD.’
Verse 7 – Pleasing Ways, Peaceful Living
"When man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."
The phrase ‘a man’s ways’ is the same as verse 2. In that verse, the man’s ways are under scrutiny of the LORD. If his ways pass the test of the LORD’s scrutiny, the man’s ways will be pleasing to the LORD. Not only that, his enemies will be at peace with him.
It is important to note that this is not a universally true maxim. For the follower of Christ, there will be persecution and hostility (2 Timothy 3:12). Even Jesus faced hostility and said that His followers will too (John 7:7; 15:18-20). This is not a call to seek the pleasures of your enemy, or to compromise for the sake of peace. It is a call to please God and have godly courage and fearlessness. If you please God, He will take care of your enemies (recall verse 5).
Verse 8 – Righteousness over Injustice
"Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice."
Up until this point, the divine name of the LORD has been used in each verse. This verse seems to break that theme. However, in comparison with parallel verses in Proverbs 15:16-17, the theme does seem to be carried through. Chapter 15 replaces ‘righteousness’ with ‘the fear of the LORD.’ The meaning behind these verses is not the relative moral worth of poverty over riches. It is the value of justice over injustice. Not even ‘great income’ can change injustice into noble living (c.f. James 5:1-5).
Verse 9 – Plans and the Mind of Man
"The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD direct his steps"
This verse completes the inclusio started in the first verse of the chapter. These verse have emphasized the sovereignty of God over the ways of man. The human heart is in view again and emphasizes the ‘plans’ of man. The concept of devising and planning is in view here, such as generating new ideas.
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart” (Proverbs 19:21a). Every person dreams of what they would like to do. They write out their goals and aspirations and set forth with a plan. However, as the second line reminds the one who makes plans that it is the LORD who ‘directs the steps.’
This verse uses the same verb found in verse 3. It describes the act of God establishing the heavens and the earth during creation. The idea is that the LORD not only ‘directs’ one’s steps, but He is the only one who can take a whimsical dream or plan and make it reality. One’s goal should be to align their lives and plans with the sovereign will of God, rather than stubbornly push one’s agenda above His plan. There is no guarantee that a plan will be established when it is outside God’s will.
“There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 16:25).
Conclusion
Do you need to make a decision, today? Do you need to respond to an offer given to you? God warned mankind not to ‘lean on our own understanding’ (Proverbs 3:5); however, He has NOT told us to abandon it either (16:1a). You can plan, think, and reason, but should do so in complete dependence upon the LORD. You do not know what tomorrow may bring (Proverbs 27:1; James 4:13-16). Only the LORD can give you the right response to the decision or offer presented to you (Proverbs 16:33; 19:21; 20:24). You do not need to wait until you stand before Him, to know if you made the right decision. He has given His Word, the Bible, as a tool to examine and weigh the heart and motive, today (Hebrews 4:12-13).
“Establish my footsteps in Thy word” (Psalm 119:133a).
For Further Study
- “Luck and the Sovereignty of God” [Article]
- “A Deep Dive in the Biblical Worldview” [Article]
- “10 Words that Summarize the Book of Proverbs” [Article]
- “Proverbs: A Mentor’s Commentary” by John A. Kitchen [Check it out on Amazon]
(Some links in this article are affiliate links which I receive a small commission from any purchases from Amazon)