God’s Way or Man’s Way? Proverbs 16:1-9

Review In chapter 15 we saw that we have 2 choices for the path we trod –One is a path of discipline and joy God will discipline us to keep us on the path We discipline ourselves to stay on the path This is the path God wants us to follow –The other is a path to destruction It may seem easy, no discipline necessary But the end is eternity in torment This is the path man follows when left to his own devices How do we tell the paths apart?

Prov 16:1 “preparations” Heb maarak means “arrangement or mental disposition” “in man” (KJV) the word “in” is not in the Hebrew, but supplied by translators –Most translations now use “to” or “belongs to” –“in” would reflect a Calvinistic outlook where God is responsible for man’s thoughts Clearly Solomon has not been teaching that God controls our thoughts –Rather he is making a contrast between what man does and what God does

Prov 16:1 Man makes plans for himself –In his mind he makes preparations or arrangements or mental dispositions to carry out those plans But it is not up to man whether or not those plans happen –God has the final answer –James 4:13-16 As commentator A.R. Faussett paraphrased it, “Man proposes, God disposes”

Prov 16:2 If man judged his own actions, man would always think he is doing well –“I’m doing my best” –“I’m doing as well as might be expected” –Man would always set the bar low enough that he meets his expectations But the Lord is the one in charge of determining if we are really doing all that we can to meet God’s expectations –He has set the bar, and He is weighing our ability and willingness to comply Deut 30:11-14 – He knows we can do it

Prov 16:3 Avoiding a conflict between your plans and God’s desire for you is simple –Make it your desire to live in accordance with God’s commands 1 Jn 5:3 Matt 6:33 –Putting God first and keeping His commands, allow us to achieve our goal of pleasing Him –[There is no option here for achieving human goals like being rich or famous] »If those are in your plans, then your plans do not line up with God’s plans

Prov 16:4 The outcomes of the paths are firmly established –God has made everything –If He tells you a certain path leads to doom, then you can be certain that is where it goes You don’t need to go down it yourself to see if He was right Not saying God has picked out certain individuals for doom (Calvinism, predestination) –But the wicked (all those who choose to not obey God) are on a path destined to end in everlasting doom

Prov 16:5 To walk that path leading to doom is a supreme act of pride –Especially if one thinks he can avoid the outcome God has announced No matter how many join together in defying God, the outcome will not change –Ps 2:1-5 –Even if the whole world joined together to fight against God, God would laugh at the puny force –God’s plans cannot be changed by anything man can do

Prov 16:6 The certainty of the destination of the wicked does not mean it is hopeless –We do not have to continue on that path –God in mercy will provide atonement for sins That mercy and truth came through Jesus (Jn 1:14-17) That atonement (forgiveness, purging) of sins was brought through Jesus and is found in baptism (Acts 2:36-38, Heb 10:19-25) –But to make that change, there must be a fear of the Lord (and the consequences of sin) Repentance, a turning away from the path of wickedness (Heb 10:31; Acts 2:38)

Prov 16:7 Once we have gotten on the right path – the path God would have us follow –Then we are pleasing God But the second clause can be interpreted differently depending on who are the “he” and “him” Option 1: He (the man who pleases God) makes his enemies to be at peace with him –Interp. : Godly people make enemies peaceful Prob. : Godly people are persecuted (2 Tim 3:12)

Prov 16:7 Option 2: He (the man who pleases God) makes His (God’s) enemies to be at peace with Him (God) –Interp. : Godly people convert ungodly people so they can be at peace with God Prob. : Better than option 1, but no contextual or linguistic reason to make pronouns refer to two different people

Prov 16:7 Option 3: He (God) makes His (God’s) enemies to be at peace with Him (God) –Interp. : When God, through mercy and truth provides forgiveness and allows man to be pleasing to Him, then God is making peace with His enemies Reconciliation (Eph 2:14-18) No problem linguistically because “the Lord” is the last noun before the pronouns No problem contextually because it matches verse 6 No problem scripturally since reconciliation is taught in Eph 2 and other passages

Prov 16:8 Similar to Prov 15:16-17 In context here comparing following God’s way with following man’s way –God’s way (righteousness) will not provide you with earthly riches But because the eternal outcome is certain (heaven), it is a better path than... –Man’s way (without justice) which may have great earthly riches Because the eternal outcome of this path is also certain (hell)

Conclusion Prov 16:9 - A return to the message of verse 1 –Man can make and follow his plans (free will) “plans” Heb. Chashab, lit. “weaves” –But the Lord has determined the outcomes Directs Heb. Kun means “erects, establishes” Not forcing our steps, but giving certainty to the outcome For the good, a message of confidence –If our way pleases God, then the end of the path is certain For the wicked, a message to be feared –If you stay on that path, you can’t change the destination