Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 19:21
[There are] many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
Contrast the many purposes of man, shifting, changing, from good to better, from bad to worse, and the one unchanging righteous counsel of Yahweh.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Pro 19:21
There are many devices in a mans heart; nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.
Devices and counsel
It being impossible for us to know God absolutely, the highest degree of knowledge we can hope to attain unto is by way of comparison with ourselves and other creatures. But because we fail in right knowledge of ourselves, we fail also in right knowledge of God. We think God is altogether such an one as ourselves, and yet we do not know what we ourselves are. The subject introduced by this text is, the difference between the devices of a man and the counsel of the Lord.
I. The differences.
1. In the names. Devices, imaginations, fancies, chimaeras, castles in the air. The vanity of mens fancies is seen in our ordinary dreams. The name of devices is too high an appellation to bestow upon our vain imaginations, if we knew a worse; so the name of counsel is too low to bestow upon God Almightys eternal purpose, if we knew a better.
2. In the number. Ours are devices–in the plural; His but one–counsel in the singular. Mens purposes are various and changeable. It is the honour of God that His counsel is but one, and unchangeable. The immutability of His counsel. With God there is no after-counsel, to correct the errors of the former.
3. The efficacy. Seen in their different manner of existing. The devices of man are in his heart, but he cannot make them stand. The counsel of the Lord shall stand; nothing can hinder it from having its intended effect. The foundation of God standeth firm.
II. The reasons for these differences.
1. God is the prima causa, the sovereign agent, and first mover in every motion and inclination of the creature. God so orders the vain things of mans devices by His overruling providence as to make them subservient to His everlasting counsels.
2. Gods eternity. Man is but of yesterday, and his thoughts casual. As himself is mutable, fickle, and uncertain, so are the things he hath to do with subject to contingencies and variations. But the nature of the Godhead is not subject to mutability. All change is either for the better or for the worse, but God cannot change for the better, because He is already best; nor for the worse, for then He should cease to be best.
3. The wisdom of God. Besides their natural ignorance, through precipitancy, misinformation, prejudice, partial affections, and other causes, they are subject to very many mistakes and aberrations. God alone is wise. He will not deceive, being of infinite goodness; He cannot be deceived by any, being of infinite wisdom. There is no room for second thoughts or after-counsels.
4. The power of God. It is not in the power of man to remove those obstacles which prevent his accomplishing his devices, but the power of God has no bars or bounds other than those of His own will.
III. The inferences.
1. Learn not to trust too much to our own wit; neither to lean to our own understandings; nor to please ourselves over-much in the vain devices, imaginations, fancies, and dreams of our own hearts.
2. However judgment may begin at the house of God, most certain it is that it shall not end there.
3. This is a comfortable consideration to all those that with patience and cheerfulness suffer for the testimony of God, or a good conscience, and in a good cause, under the insolences of proud and powerful persecutors. God can curb and restrain their malice, when they have devised wicked devices.
4. It is well for us, and our bounden duty, to submit to such sufferings as God shall call us to. Give up thyself faithfully to follow the good counsel of God in His revealed will; and then give up thy desires entirely, to be disposed by His wise counsel in His secret will; and He shall undoubtedly give thee thy hearts desire. If we submit our wills to His, both in doing and suffering, doubtless we cannot finally miscarry. He will consult nothing but for our good; and what He hath consulted must stand. (Bp. Sanderson.)
Mans devices and Gods counsel
;–A mans heart is a little world, full of scheming and business. Let a man have a full inspection of his heart, its devices, its schemes, its designs, in their succession. Notice the variety in the kinds of devices, and in mens temper and manner in respect to them. Some men are very communicative of their hearts devices; others are close, reserved, dark. Suppose that all the devices of all men could be brought out, in full manifestation, then you would have human nature displayed in its real quality. What manner of spectacle would it be! Suppose that all these devices could be accomplished. What a world you have then! One mans devices cannot be accomplished compatibly with the accomplishments of anothers. The great collective whole of the devices of all hearts constitutes the grand complex scheme of the human race for their happiness. To every device of all hearts, Gods counsel, His design, exists parallel, whether in coincidence or in opposition. In other words, respecting the object of every device, He has His design. The text implies a great disconformity–a want of coalescence between the designs of man and God; an estranged spirit of design on the part of man.
I. The designs of mens hearts are formed independently of God. In what proportion of mens internal devisings may we conjecture that there is any real acknowledgment of God? Mans devising and prosecuting are in such a spirit as if there were no such thing as Providence to aid or defeat. It is deplorable to see dependent, frail, short-sighted creatures confidently taking on themselves the counsel, execution, and hazard of their schemes for being happy, in the very presence, and as in contempt, of the all-wise and almighty Director.
II. Mans heart entertains many devices in contrariety to God. It can cherish devices which involve a rebellious emotion of displeasure, almost resentment, that there is a Sovereign Lord, whose counsel shall stand. There is one other Mind, which has the knowledge and command of all things, a fixed design, respecting them all, paramount to all designs and devices. The counsel of the Lord sometimes is, not to prevent mans designs taking effect in the first instance. He can let men bring their iniquitous purposes into effect, and then seize that very effect, reverse its principle of agency, and make it produce immense, unintended good. But in other cases God directly frustrates them. Some devise to oppose religion; others to baffle the practical measures taken for promoting religion; others strive to get rid of the strictness of the laws of God. There are also many projects for temporal gomod, ade in a right spirit, which nevertheless are disappointed and fail, so that we have humbly and complacently to repose in the determination of our God as to what is best. (John Foster.)
The decrees of God, or impressive impressions
The Westminster divines say, The decrees of God are His eternal purpose, according to the counsel of His will, whereby for His own glory He hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass. This embraces three propositions.
I. There are decrees of God. God must have formed a plan by which to conduct all His operations. God knows the arrangements upon the accomplishment of which He has determined. The word decree is of the same meaning as the word determine.
II. The decrees of God are all involved in one eternal purpose. All the future, and everything included in all the future, is at once and for ever before the glance of His eye.
III. The decrees of God were all formed according to the counsel of His will. Who can comprehend all that the counsel of His will embraced as to things decreed to exist?
IV. The decrees of God take effect in everything that comes to pass. This has its illustration in–
1. Gods works of creation.
2. Gods works of providence.
3. Gods works of grace.
Objections to this explanation of the decrees of God may be taken.
(1) Some say that this doctrine annihilates mans responsibility.
(2) Some say, Then if we are to be saved, we shall be saved; and if to be lost, lost.
But this is a gross perversion of gospel truth. The means, through the appointed use of which eternal life may be obtained, should be diligently and unweariedly cultivated. (Thomas Adam.)
The devices of man and the counsel of God
Two parts in this text–the proposition and the qualification.
I. The proposition.
1. The property mentioned. Many devices; by which we may understand conceits or contrivances. Man by nature is very apt and prone to these, whether in matter of apprehension or resolution. Reference here is specially to vain and foolish, or wicked and sinful, devices, which man easily frames, since he voluntarily and wilfully forsook the counsel of God. The variety of mans devices from the impetuousness and unsatiableness which is commonly in mens desires; from the levity and inconstancy which is upon mens souls; from a variety of lusts, and corrupt and inordinate principles, with which the heart of man is cumbered.
2. The subject of this property, man, and precisely, the heart of man. Devices seem to belong to the head rather than to the heart. The heart is here put for the whole mind and soul. The devices are in the heart originally, as the spring and fountain of all. Mens opinions and conceits take their rise first from their heart.
II. The qualification.
1. The simple assertion. The counsel of God may be the Word and truth of God, or the purpose and decree of God.
2. The additional opposition or correction of it. Nevertheless. Here is the consistence of Gods counsels with mans. Though man has his devices, God will have His. Because man has his devices, therefore God the Father has His. His counsel is even promoted by mans devices. (T. Horton, D. D.)
Mans devices and Gods overrulings
I. Men projecting. They keep their designs to themselves, but they cannot hide them from God. There are devices against Gods counsels, without His counsels, and unlike His counsels. Men are wavering in their devices, and often absurd and unjust; but Gods counsels are wise and holy, steady and uniform.
II. God overruling. His counsel often breaks mens measures, and baffles their devices; but their devices cannot in the least alter His counsel, nor disturb the proceedings of it, nor put Him upon new counsels. What a check does this put on designing men, who think they can outwit all mankind! There is a.God in heaven who laughs at them! (Psa 2:4). (Matthew Henry.)
Human devices
I. The devices of mens hearts. The heart of man is a little world of scheming, and planning, and business. We are always devising.
II. The vanity of these devices. Our safety consists in their being kept in. They could not be suffered to come forth but at the expense of the ruin of the world. They cannot all be accomplished, because they oppose each other.
III. The counsel of the Lord overruling these devices. Amidst all these various devices, there is one mighty will going on. All human devices serve Gods counsel. Therefore we should seek to have our devices in principle compatible with Gods counsel. (The Evangelist.)
The mind of man and the mind of God
I. The mind of man has many devices; the mind of God has but one counsel.
II. The mind of man is subordinate, the mind of God supreme.
1. This is a fact well attested by history.
2. This is a fact that reveals the greatness of God.
III. The mind of man is changeable, the mind of God unalterable. Lessons:
1. The inevitable fall of all that is opposed to the will of God.
2. The inevitable fulfilment of all Gods promises. (D. Thomas, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 21. There are many devices, &c.] The same sentiment as in Pr 16:1, where see the note. See Clarke on Pr 16:1.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
There are many devices in a mans heart; understand out of the opposite clause, which shall not stand, but be disappointed.
The counsel of the Lord; his eternal, and unchangeable, and most wise decree, which ofttimes contradicts, and always overrules, the designs and purposes of men.
Shall stand, i.e. be certainly fulfilled, as this phrase is used, Jer 44:28,29, and elsewhere.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
21. (Compare Pro 16:1;Pro 16:9; Psa 33:10;Psa 33:11). The failure of man’sdevices is implied.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
[There are] many devices in a man’s heart,…. Some about civil things; to get wealth and riches: to obtain honour and glory among men; to attain to a long life, and to perpetuate their memories after death: some about sinful things; to gratify their carnal lusts and sensual appetites; and to do mischief to others, particularly the people of God, and the cause and interest of Christ: some about religious things; coming new doctrines, devising new ordinances and modes of worship; contriving other methods of salvation than by Christ; as by the light of nature; by the law of Moses; by mere morality, civility, and external justice between man and man; by keeping to the religion they were born and brought up in; and by a mere outward profession of religion, and submission to ordinances, and performance of duties, and a multitude more of the like kind;
nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand; and can never be frustrated by the devices of man’s heart, though there are many, and that but one; see Ps 33:10. This may be applied to the Gospel, and the scheme of salvation in it, called the whole counsel of God, Ac 20:27; it being the fruit of infinite wisdom, and the effect of a divine council between the eternal Three, and full of the best advice and instructions to the sons of men; and which has stood, and shall stand, notwithstanding the persecutions of wicked men, the craft of false teachers, and the ridicule of a profane world; it will continue till all the elect are gathered in, even, to the end of the world; and so will the ordinances of it, which are also called the counsel of God, Lu 7:30; and which will continue till the second coming of Christ. Moreover, the purposes of God, his counsels of old, or his eternal decrees, may be here meant; which are wisely formed in his own breast, and are not frustrable; and according to which counsel of his will all things are done in nature, providence, and grace; all things in this world are ordered as he pleases, and all things are done as he has ordered them; all his purposes are or will be fulfilled; his designs will be accomplished in the world and in his church, in spite of all the schemes, contrivances, and opposition of men and devils.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
Here we have, 1. Men projecting. They keep their designs to themselves, but they cannot hide them from God; he knows the many devices that are in men’s hearts,–devices against his counsels (as those, Psa 2:1-3; Mic 4:11),– devices without his counsel (no regard had to his providence, as those Jam. iv. 13, this and the other they will do, and not take God along with them),–devices unlike God’s counsels; men are wavering in their devices, and often absurd and unjust, but God’s counsels are wise and holy, steady and uniform. 2. God overruling. Various men have various designs, according as their inclination or interest leads them, but the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand, whatever becomes of the devices of men. His counsel often breaks men’s measures and baffles their devices; but their devices cannot in the least alter his counsel, not disturb the proceedings of it, nor put him upon new counsels, Isa 14:24; Isa 46:11. What a check does this give to politic designing men, who think they can outwit all mankind, that there is a God in heaven that laughs at them! Ps. ii. 4. What comfort does this speak to all God’s people, that all God’s purposes, which we are sure are right and good, shall be accomplished in due time!
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
The Lord’s Will Prevails
Verse 21- See comment on Pro 16:1; Pro 24:5-6.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
MAIN HOMILETICS OF Pro. 19:21
MANY PLANS WORKING TO ONE END
This proverb suggests
I. The ignorance and sinfulness of man, the infinite knowledge and goodness of God. Man is a creature of many devices; he is changeable in his purposes and plans because he is so ignorant concerning their issue. He cannot foretel with any certainty whether the event will be according to his desire, or, if it should be so, whether it will bring him satisfaction. Hence the purpose of to-day is not the purpose of next yearthe plans of his youth are different from those of his riper years. But God is the same in His purposes yesterday, to-day, and for ever, because He can declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done (Isa. 46:10). A mans devices change in proportion as his feelings and desires vary; and these are changeable in proportion as he lacks perfection in his moral nature. But a Being of infinite goodness is not subject to these changing moods and desires: and His plans are like His character, always the same.
II. The attitude which men ought to take in relation to this truth. It is obvious that the counsel of God must stand, and that it deserves to stand before all the devices of men. If, therefore, men would have their devices stand they must learn to square them by the counsel of God. A child will have its own way when it has learned to conform its will to the will of its parent. And if a man would have his hearts desire, he must so delight in God (Psa. 37:4) that what pleases God pleases him also. For other Homiletics on this subject see on chap. Pro. 16:1; Pro. 16:9, pp. 451, 468.
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
The great collective whole of the devices of all hearts constitutes the grand complex scheme of the human race for their happiness. Respecting the object of every device, God has His design. There is in the world a want of coalescence between the designs of man and Godan estranged spirit of design on the part of man. Gods design is fixed and paramount.J. Foster.
A man of the better sort. This is simply one of the names for man. We do not always translate it one of the better sort. But it is rarely chosen listlessly. Here it creates an emphasis. The most imposing schemes belong to the intelligent and great. The world is full of them. How foolish to build them up! Jehovah advises a whole new behaviour for His creatures. How mad to scheme away from it.Miller.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
TEXT Pro. 19:21-29
21.
There are many devices in a mans heart;
But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.
22.
That which maketh a man to be desired is his kindness;
And a poor man is better than a liar.
23.
The fear of Jehovah tendeth to life;
And he that hath it shall abide satisfied; He shall not be visited with evil.
24.
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish,
And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25.
Smite a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
And reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
26.
He that doeth violence to his father, and chaseth away his mother,
Is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.
27.
Cease, my son, to hear instruction
Only to err from the words of knowledge.
28.
A worthless witness mocketh at justice;
And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.
29.
Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
And stripes for the back of fools.
STUDY QUESTIONS OVER 19:21-29
1.
What does the counsel of Jehovah mean in Pro. 19:21?
2.
Why does kindness make one desired (Pro. 19:22)?
3.
What is different about the construction of Pro. 19:23?
4.
Are there actually people this lazy (Pro. 19:24), or is this a hyperbole?
5.
Who are the simple in Pro. 19:25?
6.
Why would anybody act like this (Pro. 19:26)?
7.
Why do people accept false counsel (Pro. 19:27)?
8.
Who is a worthless witness (Pro. 19:28)?
9.
Who are scoffers and fools in Pro. 19:29?
PARAPHRASE OF 19:21-29
21.
Man proposes, but God disposes.
22.
Kindness makes a man attractive. And it is better to be poor than dishonest.
23.
Reverence for God gives life, happiness, and protection from harm.
24.
Some men are so lazy they wont even feed themselves!
25.
Punish a mocker and others will learn from his example. Reprove a wise man and he will be the wiser.
26.
A son who mistreats his father or mother is a public disgrace.
27.
Stop listening to teaching that contradicts what you know is right.
28.
A worthless witness cares nothing for truthhe enjoys his sinning too much.
29.
Mockers and rebels shall be severely punished.
COMMENTS ON 19:21-29
Pro. 19:21. It is not what man wants that always comes to pass but what God decrees (or allows). See Psa. 33:10-11; Pro. 16:1-2; Isa. 14:26-27; Isa. 46:10; Heb. 6:17. God worketh all things after the counsel of his will (Eph. 1:11). Men in a human council meeting thought they could stop Christianity (Act. 4:17), but they passed away, and the Word of God is still living, active, and powerful. Herod of Acts 12 took up against the church, killed James, and intended to kill Peter, but before the chapter was ended, he was dead, and in contrast to him Act. 12:24 says, But the word of God grew and multiplied.
Pro. 19:22. This verse states that which we desire in people, and heading the list is kindness. We like people who are kind; we like to be around them; their influence upon us is good. We appreciate their thoughtfulness; we appreciate their willingness to be helpful. We are comfortable and at-home in their presence. An unkind person is just the opposite of the above. The Bible says, Be ye kind (Eph. 4:32); Love…is kind (1Co. 13:4). Concerning the second statement of the verse, this chapter has already shown that people go from and do not want to claim close connections with the extremely poor (Pro. 19:4; Pro. 19:7), yet they prefer a poor man to a liar (compare Pro. 19:1). A man who will lie to others will lie to you. He is one you cannot trust, for he is not conscientious before God and with men. He makes a poor friend. Pro. 19:23. This verse departs from Proverbs customary two-line verses. Notice the three lines here. Tendeth shows the usual or general results of fearing Jehovah. It means, other things being equal, that one who fears God will live longernot only longer, but he will reap more satisfaction from living than those who lack it, the reason being that he will have fewer hardships because of not being visited with evil from God. The fear of Jehovah takes us back to the first real saying in Proverbs: The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge (Pro. 1:7).
Pro. 19:24. Proverbs has much to say about lazy people: they spend much time sleeping (Pro. 6:9; Pro. 24:30-34; Pro. 20:4; Pro. 26:13). This verse out-lazies the others as it pictures a man putting his hand into the dish to get something to eat and then being too lazy to lift it to his mouth (Pro. 26:15). When one is too lazy to feed himself, he is as lazy as he can get. Yet, all of life becomes a burden to the ambitionless person, the person with no purpose, no motivation. Arabic proverb: He dies of hunger under the date tree.
Pro. 19:25. A scoffer is out of order whether he scoff at God or is plagued with the spirit of scoffing at people. He should be dealt with (the younger the better). The verse implies that even if he doesnt profit by it, the onlooking who might have taken up his ways will be affected for good (compare Deu. 13:10-11). Reproving a wise person definitely aids him, for he wishes to increase his learning, and he is wise enough to see the rightness of the rebuke (last part of Pro. 9:9). Pro. 21:11 is very similar to this verse in both of its statements: When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
Pro. 19:26. The language suggests that the son is a grown son, not a child. It is speaking of gross mistreatment of aged parents. While our present society has many instances of this in comparison to Bible days, this verse indicates that there were some bad offspring in Bible days. Remember that parents are to be honored, not thus dishonored. Such conduct causes shame to his suffering parents and reproach against his own name in the community. Pro. 17:2 also speaks of a son that causeth shame.
Pro. 19:27. It does no good to be exposed to good instruction if it is not going to be followed. There are those who seem to be listening to what you are telling them, but they are only being polite or do not wish to engage in open disagreement, for when they go their way they have not been changed by what they have heard. In time Christian teachers will cease instructing people if they will not be obedient (Act. 18:5-6).
Pro. 19:28. A worthless witness would include both a false witness (speaking lies) and one who refused to witness (would not tell what he knew). To do either is to mock rather than further justice. Justice dictates that the verdict be built upon the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. One the latter part of the verse: Mischief is the object of his passionate desire: it is a real enjoyment to him to produce calamity; he swallows it eagerly as if it were a sweet fruit (Job. 20:12; Isa. 28:4); he drinketh it in like water (Job. 15:16)(Lange).
Pro. 19:29. Another Hebrew parallelism: judgments and stripes go together as do scoffers and fools. The verse is picturing an adult rather than a child, the judgments and stripes being public punishments. A child may be foolish (Pro. 22:15), but he is not a full-fledged fool, but if one grows up, and his foolishness continues, and it is the recognized course of his life, then he is indeed a fool. Other passages on such punishments: Pro. 10:13; Pro. 26:3.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(21) There are many devices (or, thoughts) in a mans heart.He disquieteth himself in vain (Psa. 39:6), endeavouring to carry out his various plans in life, while the one unchangeable counsel of the Lord, that shall standi.e., abide in all its fulness. (Comp, Isa. 46:10-11; Psa. 33:11; Job. 23:13.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
21. Are many devices Schemes, plans. Compare note on Pro 16:1-9. Job 23:13; Psa 33:10.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
v. 21. There are many devices in a man’s heart,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Pro 19:21 [There are] many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
Ver. 21. There are many devices in a man’s heart.] They may purpose, but God alone disposeth of all. See Trapp on “ Pro 16:1 “ See Trapp on “ Pro 16:9 “ Some think to rise by ill principles, but it will not be. Some to be rich, but God crosseth them, and holds them to prisoners’ pittances, to hard meat, as we say. Some, to live long, and to enjoy what they have gotten: but they hear, “Thou fool, this very night shall thy soul be taken from thee.” Luk 12:20 Some set themselves to root out true religion, to dethrone the Lord Christ. But God sees and smiles, looks and laughs. Psa 2:4 The counsel of the Lord, that shall stand when all is done. Christ shall reign in the midst of his enemies: the stone cut out of the mountains without hands shall bring down the golden image with a vengeance, and make it “like the chaff of the summer floor.” Dan 2:35 Sciat Celsitudo vestra et nihil dubitet – saith Luther in a letter to the Elector of Saxony – longe aliter in coelo quam Noribergae de hoc negotio conclusum esse. a Let your highness be sure that the Church’s business is far otherwise ordered in heaven, than it is by the emperor and states at Norimberg. And Gaudeo quod Christus Dominus est; alioqui totus desperassem, – I am glad that Christ is King; for otherwise I had been utterly out of heart and hope – saith holy Myconius in a letter to Calvin, upon the view of the Church’s enemies.
a Scult., Annal
many devices = many schemes.
Nevertheless, &c. Illustrations: Joseph’s brethren (Gen 37:19, &c. Compare Psa 76:10); Pharaoh (Exo 1:10. Compare Ex. 15); the rulers (Mat 27:63-66); Saul (Act 9:1, Act 9:2. Compare verses: Pro 19:3-9, &c.); Herod (Act 12:1-3. Compare verses: Pro 19:5-19); the forty Jews (Act 23:12-15).
Pro 19:21
Pro 19:21
“There are many devices in a man’s heart; But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.”
In the run of a lifetime, a man hears all kinds of philosophies and all kinds of theories and teachings; but it is only the word of the Lord that shall stand the test of time and eternity. “Heaven and earth shall pass away,” the Lord says, “But my word shall not pass away.”
Pro 19:21. It is not what man wants that always comes to pass but what God decrees (or allows). See Psa 33:10-11; Pro 16:1-2; Isa 14:26-27; Isa 46:10; Heb 6:17. God worketh all things after the counsel of his will (Eph 1:11). Men in a human council meeting thought they could stop Christianity (Act 4:17), but they passed away, and the Word of God is still living, active, and powerful. Herod of Acts 12 took up against the church, killed James, and intended to kill Peter, but before the chapter was ended, he was dead, and in contrast to him Act 12:24 says, But the word of God grew and multiplied.
many: Pro 12:2, Gen 37:19, Gen 37:20, Est 9:25, Psa 21:11, Psa 33:10, Psa 33:11, Psa 83:4, Ecc 7:29, Isa 7:6, Isa 7:7, Dan 11:24, Dan 11:25, Mat 26:4, Mat 26:5, Mat 27:63, Mat 27:64
nevertheless: Pro 16:1, Pro 16:9, Pro 21:1, Pro 21:30, Gen 45:4-8, Gen 50:20, Job 23:13, Isa 14:24, Isa 14:26, Isa 14:27, Isa 46:10, Dan 4:35, Act 4:27, Act 4:28, Act 5:38, Act 5:39, Eph 1:11, Heb 6:17, Heb 6:18, 1Pe 2:8, Jud 1:4
Reciprocal: Gen 27:45 – then I Num 22:38 – have I Num 23:27 – peradventure 1Sa 23:17 – I shall be 2Sa 17:14 – to defeat Job 17:11 – purposes Job 42:2 – can be withholden from thee Pro 29:26 – ruler’s favour Ecc 3:14 – nothing Jer 36:23 – he cut Jer 44:29 – my words Jer 49:20 – the counsel Lam 3:37 – saith Eze 20:32 – that which Eze 38:10 – that at Dan 11:17 – set Dan 11:27 – but Dan 11:36 – for Mar 14:2 – Not Luk 2:6 – so Act 12:4 – intending Act 27:1 – when Rom 15:28 – I will 1Co 16:7 – if Jam 4:15 – If Rev 17:17 – until
MAN PURPOSES, GOD DISPOSES
There are many devices in a mans heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.
Pro 19:21
The text plainly implies a great disconformitya want of coalescence between the designs of man and God; an estranged spirit of design on the part of man. And the case actually is so in the world. Many of the designs in mens hearts are formed independently of God; many in contrariety to Him.
I. Independently of Him.In what proportion of mens internal devisings may we conjecture that there is any real acknowledgment of God? One in ten? One in twenty? In beginning to entertain the design, there is no question made, Will this be approved by Him? The whole devising and prosecution are in a spirit just as if there were no such thing as Providence to aid or defeat.
II. But even this is not the worst: mans heart entertains many devices in contrariety to God.It can cherish devices which must sometimes involve a rebellious emotion of displeasure, almost resentment, that there is a Sovereign Lord, Whose counsel shall stand.
III. The counsel of the Lord is sometimes not to prevent the design taking effect in the first instance.He shows that He can let men bring their iniquitous purposes into effect, and then seize that very effectreverse its principle of agency and make it produce immense unintended good.
IV. How important is it that all the designs of the heart should, in principle, be conformed to the spirit of Gods unalterable counsel; that in all our projects we should be conscientiously and solicitously aiming at a general conformity to His will.
Pro 19:21. There are many devices in a mans heart Which shall not stand, but be disappointed; many designs and contrivances, which he thinks to be so well devised and planned that they cannot miscarry. Nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord Which ofttimes contradicts, and therefore overrules or defeats the designs and purposes of men; that shall stand Shall certainly be fulfilled, and bring to pass whatever he pleases.
19:21 [There are] many devices in a {g} man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
(g) Man’s device will not have success, unless God governs it, whose purpose is unchangeable.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes