◄ Proverbs 19:21 ►
Many plans are in a man's heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
Study Bible
Many plans
The Hebrew word for "plans" is "מַחֲשָׁבוֹת" (machashavot), which can also mean thoughts, intentions, or designs. This word suggests the multitude of ideas and strategies that humans devise in their minds. Historically, this reflects the human tendency to strategize and plan for the future, a practice evident in ancient cultures through their writings and artifacts. In a spiritual context, it acknowledges the God-given ability to think and plan, yet it also hints at the limitations of human foresight.

are in a man’s heart
The "heart" in Hebrew is "לֵב" (lev), which in biblical terms often refers to the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. This phrase indicates that the plans and intentions originate from the deepest part of a person, reflecting their desires and ambitions. In ancient Israel, the heart was seen as the seat of decision-making, emphasizing the personal nature of planning and the internal struggle between human desires and divine will.

but the purpose of the LORD
The word "purpose" is translated from the Hebrew "עֵצָה" (etsah), meaning counsel, advice, or plan. This term signifies a deliberate and sovereign intention. The "LORD" here is "יְהוָה" (Yahweh), the covenant name of God, highlighting His personal and relational nature. This phrase underscores the contrast between human plans and divine purpose, suggesting that God's counsel is not only superior but also ultimately determinative.

will prevail
The Hebrew verb "תָּקוּם" (takum) means to stand, arise, or endure. This conveys the idea of God's purpose being established and coming to fruition despite human intentions. Historically, this reflects the biblical narrative where God's plans consistently unfold through history, regardless of human actions. It reassures believers of the certainty and reliability of God's will, encouraging trust in His divine sovereignty.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His insights into human nature and divine sovereignty are reflected in this verse.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing His sovereignty and ultimate authority over human affairs.

3. The Heart of Man
Represents the inner thoughts, desires, and intentions of individuals. In Hebrew culture, the heart is the center of decision-making and moral character.
Teaching Points
Divine Sovereignty Over Human Plans
While humans are free to make plans, it is crucial to recognize that God's purpose is supreme. This understanding should lead to humility and trust in God's wisdom.

The Importance of Seeking God's Will
Believers are encouraged to align their plans with God's will through prayer and scripture study, ensuring that their desires are in harmony with His purpose.

Trust in God's Perfect Plan
Even when our plans fail, we can find comfort in knowing that God's purpose is for our ultimate good. This trust should lead to peace and contentment in all circumstances.

The Role of Wisdom in Planning
Proverbs emphasizes the value of wisdom, which includes seeking God's guidance in our decision-making processes. Wise planning involves considering God's purpose and being open to His direction.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's sovereignty over our plans affect the way we approach decision-making in our daily lives?

2. In what ways can we actively seek to align our personal goals with God's purpose as revealed in scripture?

3. Reflect on a time when your plans did not succeed. How did you see God's purpose prevailing in that situation?

4. How can the teachings of James 4:13-15 help us develop a more God-centered approach to planning and goal-setting?

5. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our plans are not only wise but also in accordance with God's will?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 29:11
This verse speaks of God's plans for His people, emphasizing His intentions for their welfare and future, aligning with the theme of divine purpose prevailing.

James 4:13-15
James advises believers to acknowledge God's will in their plans, echoing the idea that human intentions are subject to divine sovereignty.

Isaiah 46:9-10
God declares His unique ability to declare the end from the beginning, underscoring His ultimate control over history and human plans.
Sermons
Devices and CounselBp. Sanderson.Proverbs 19:21
Human DevicesThe EvangelistProverbs 19:21
Man's Devices and God's CounselJohn Foster.Proverbs 19:21
Man's Devices and God's OverrulingsProverbs 19:21
The Decrees of God, or Impressive ImpressionsThomas Adam.Proverbs 19:21
The Devices of Man and the Counsel of GodT. Horton, D. D.Proverbs 19:21
The Mind of Man and the Mind of GodD. Thomas, D. D.Proverbs 19:21
The Mind of Man and the Mind of GodW. Clarkson Proverbs 19:21
The True PrudenceE. Johnson Proverbs 19:18-21
People
Isaiah, Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Counsel, Designs, Devices, Established, Full, Heart, Lord's, Man's, Mind, Nevertheless, Plans, Prevail, Prevails, Purpose, Purposes, Stand, Standeth, Thoughts, Unchanging
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 19:21

     1115   God, purpose of
     1160   God, unchangeable
     1175   God, will of
     5014   heart, human
     5038   mind, the human
     5326   government
     5917   plans
     6182   ignorance, human situation
     6186   evil scheming
     6708   predestination

Library
How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 16.) Differently to be admonished are the slothful and the hasty. For the former are to be persuaded not to lose, by putting it off, the good they have to do; but the latter are to be admonished lest, while they forestall the time of good deeds by inconsiderate haste, they change their meritorious character. To the slothful therefore it is to be intimated, that often, when we will not do at the right time what we can, before long, when we will, we cannot. For the very indolence of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

How the Impatient and the Patient are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 10.) Differently to be admonished are the impatient and the patient. For the impatient are to be told that, while they neglect to bridle their spirit, they are hurried through many steep places of iniquity which they seek not after, inasmuch as fury drives the mind whither desire draws it not, and, when perturbed, it does, not knowing, what it afterwards grieves for when it knows. The impatient are also to be told that, when carried headlong by the impulse of emotion, they act in some …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Second Journey through Galilee - the Healing of the Leper.
A DAY and an evening such as of that Sabbath of healing in Capernaum must, with reverence be it written, have been followed by what opens the next section. [2299] To the thoughtful observer there is such unbroken harmony in the Life of Jesus, such accord of the inward and outward, as to carry instinctive conviction of the truth of its record. It was, so to speak, an inward necessity that the God-Man, when brought into contact with disease and misery, whether from physical or supernatural causes, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Kingdom of God Conceived as the Inheritance of the Poor.
These maxims, good for a country where life is nourished by the air and the light, and this delicate communism of a band of children of God reposing in confidence on the bosom of their Father, might suit a simple sect constantly persuaded that its Utopia was about to be realized. But it is clear that they could not satisfy the whole of society. Jesus understood very soon, in fact, that the official world of his time would by no means adopt his kingdom. He took his resolution with extreme boldness. …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

"Boast not Thyself of to Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day May Bring Forth. "
Prov. xxvii. 1.--"Boast not thyself of to morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." As man is naturally given to boasting and gloriation in something (for the heart cannot want some object to rest upon and take complacency in, it is framed with such a capacity of employing other things), so there is a strong inclination in man towards the time to come, he hath an immortal appetite, and an appetite of immortality; and therefore his desires usually stretch farther than the present …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Wrath of God
What does every sin deserve? God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.' Matt 25: 41. Man having sinned, is like a favourite turned out of the king's favour, and deserves the wrath and curse of God. He deserves God's curse. Gal 3: 10. As when Christ cursed the fig-tree, it withered; so, when God curses any, he withers in his soul. Matt 21: 19. God's curse blasts wherever it comes. He deserves also God's wrath, which is …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Unity of God
Q-5: ARE THERE MORE GODS THAN ONE? A: There is but one only, the living and true God. That there is a God has been proved; and those that will not believe the verity of his essence, shall feel the severity of his wrath. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.' Deut 6:6. He is the only God.' Deut 4:49. Know therefore this day, and consider it in thy heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath, there is none else.' A just God and a Saviour; there is none beside …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Man's Misery by the Fall
Q-19: WHAT IS THE MISERY OF THAT ESTATE WHEREINTO MAN FELL? A: All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever. 'And were by nature children of wrath.' Eph 2:2. Adam left an unhappy portion to his posterity, Sin and Misery. Having considered the first of these, original sin, we shall now advert to the misery of that state. In the first, we have seen mankind offending; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as predestinated …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Ninth Commandment
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.' Exod 20: 16. THE tongue which at first was made to be an organ of God's praise, is now become an instrument of unrighteousness. This commandment binds the tongue to its good behaviour. God has set two natural fences to keep in the tongue, the teeth and lips; and this commandment is a third fence set about it, that it should not break forth into evil. It has a prohibitory and a mandatory part: the first is set down in plain words, the other …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Knowledge of God
'The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.' I Sam 2:2. Glorious things are spoken of God; he transcends our thoughts, and the praises of angels. God's glory lies chiefly in his attributes, which are the several beams by which the divine nature shines forth. Among other of his orient excellencies, this is not the least, The Lord is a God of knowledge; or as the Hebrew word is, A God of knowledges.' Through the bright mirror of his own essence, he has a full idea and cognisance …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Christian Meekness
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5 We are now got to the third step leading in the way to blessedness, Christian meekness. Blessed are the meek'. See how the Spirit of God adorns the hidden man of the heart, with multiplicity of graces! The workmanship of the Holy Ghost is not only curious, but various. It makes the heart meek, pure, peaceable etc. The graces therefore are compared to needlework, which is different and various in its flowers and colours (Psalm 45:14). …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Third Commandment
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.' Exod 20: 7. This commandment has two parts: 1. A negative expressed, that we must not take God's name in vain; that is, cast any reflections and dishonour on his name. 2. An affirmative implied. That we should take care to reverence and honour his name. Of this latter I shall speak more fully, under the first petition in the Lord's Prayer, Hallowed be thy name.' I shall …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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