Thwarted
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In the context of the Bible, the concept of being "thwarted" often refers to the prevention or hindrance of plans, intentions, or actions. This theme is prevalent throughout Scripture, where human plans are frequently subject to the sovereign will of God. The Bible illustrates that while humans may devise plans, it is ultimately God who determines their success or failure.

Divine Sovereignty and Human Plans

The Bible consistently emphasizes the sovereignty of God over human affairs. Proverbs 19:21 states, "Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail." This verse underscores the idea that while individuals may have numerous intentions, it is God's purpose that ultimately comes to fruition. Similarly, Proverbs 16:9 declares, "A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." These passages highlight the biblical teaching that God has the ultimate authority to thwart or fulfill human plans according to His divine will.

Examples of Thwarted Plans in Scripture

Several biblical narratives illustrate the thwarting of human plans by divine intervention. One notable example is the account of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-9. The people sought to build a tower reaching the heavens to make a name for themselves and prevent their dispersion across the earth. However, God thwarted their plans by confusing their language, causing them to scatter. This account demonstrates God's ability to disrupt human endeavors that oppose His purposes.

Another example is found in the life of Joseph. His brothers plotted to harm him, selling him into slavery (Genesis 37:18-28). Despite their malicious intentions, God used these events to position Joseph in Egypt, ultimately saving many lives during a severe famine (Genesis 50:20): "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people."

God's Protection and Deliverance

The thwarting of plans is not limited to human intentions but also extends to the protection and deliverance of God's people. In the book of Esther, Haman's plot to annihilate the Jews is thwarted by God's providential intervention through Esther and Mordecai (Esther 7:1-10). This narrative highlights God's ability to protect His people and overturn the schemes of the wicked.

The Role of Prayer and Faith

The Bible encourages believers to seek God's guidance and submit their plans to Him. James 4:13-15 advises, "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.' You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.'" This passage teaches the importance of acknowledging God's sovereignty and seeking His will in all endeavors.

Conclusion

The concept of being thwarted in the Bible serves as a reminder of God's ultimate authority over human plans. While individuals may face obstacles and hindrances, believers are encouraged to trust in God's wisdom and submit their plans to His divine purpose. Through prayer and faith, Christians can find assurance in the knowledge that God's plans are perfect and will ultimately prevail.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(imp. & p. p.) of Thwart.
Strong's Hebrew
1219. batsar -- to cut off, make inaccessible, enclose
... off (1), fortified (24), fortify (2), gather (3), gathered (1), gatherer (1), gatherers
(2), impenetrable (1), impossible (1), mighty things (1), thwarted (1). ...
/hebrew/1219.htm - 6k

6565a. parar -- to break, frustrate
... 1), frustrate (2), frustrated (2), frustrates (1), indeed annuls (2), ineffective
(1), made my void (1), nullifies (1), shattered (1), thwart (2), thwarted (1 ...
/hebrew/6565a.htm - 5k

4116. mahar -- to hasten
... 8), immediately (1), impetuous (1), impulsive (1), made haste (1), make haste (1),
make speed (1), prepare (1), quickly (16), quickly thwarted (1), rapidly (1 ...
/hebrew/4116.htm - 6k

Library

Christ Thwarted
... CHRIST THWARTED. 'And He could there do no mighty work, save that He laid
His hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And He ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/christ thwarted.htm

Persistence of Thwarted Love
... D.; ST. MATTHEW Chaps. XVIII to XXVIII PERSISTENCE OF THWARTED LOVE. 'If so be that
he find it.'"Matthew 18:13. ... that Christ's effort can fail and be thwarted. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/persistence of thwarted love.htm

The Final Unmasking.
... His will cannot finally be thwarted; where it is thwarted for a time, the very
thwarting subserves the working out of a higher part of his will. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the final unmasking.htm

Thwarting God's Purpose
... Now the word 'rejected' would be more adequately rendered 'frustrated,' thwarted,
made void, or some such expression, as indeed it is employed in other places ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/thwarting gods purpose.htm

Christ's Lament Over Our Faithlessness
... cry of anguish"for it is that"there may be detected by the listening ear not only
the tone of personal hurt, but the tone of disappointed and thwarted love ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture d/christs lament over our faithlessness.htm

Royal Murderers
... The weak rage and childish sulking of Ahab are very characteristic of a feeble
and selfish nature, accustomed to be humoured and not thwarted. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/royal murderers.htm

Introduction
... Only two alternatives are possible: God must either rule, or be ruled; sway, or
be swayed; accomplish His own will, or be thwarted by His creatures. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the sovereignty of god/introduction.htm

Expositions of Holy Scripture
... SELF-MUTILATION FOR SELF-PRESERVATION. THE LOST SHEEP AND THE SEEKING SHEPHERD.
PERSISTENCE OF THWARTED LOVE. FORGIVEN AND UNFORGIVING. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/

Preface
... Natural reaction against sinful excess, thwarted ambitions, disappointed hopes,
meek conformity with environment, ecclesiastical manipulation of pliant material ...
/.../kane/greater things the story of saint stanislaus kostka /preface.htm

The Three Tabernacles
... But that great work still lay before them, and to rest here would be to stop upon
the threshold;"to have kept the vision would have thwarted the purpose. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapin/the crown of thorns/the three tabernacles.htm

Thesaurus
Thwarted (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Thwarted (3 Occurrences). Job 5:13 He takes the wise in
their own craftiness; the counsel of the cunning is carried headlong. ...
/t/thwarted.htm - 7k

Thwart (5 Occurrences)

/t/thwart.htm - 8k

Tryphon
... Simon, brother of Jonathan, now undertook the conduct of affairs and thwarted Tryphon
in his attempts upon Jerusalem, whereupon the latter murdered Jonathan at ...
/t/tryphon.htm - 9k

Thwarts (3 Occurrences)

/t/thwarts.htm - 7k

Puteoli (1 Occurrence)
... its walls by a Roman garrison in 214 BC The design of the Carthaginian to secure
a seaport as base of supplies and communication was thus thwarted (Livy xxiv. ...
/p/puteoli.htm - 11k

Pauline
... He found himself thwarted by something that he came to realize was ingrained
in his very nature and from which he could never free himself. ...
/p/pauline.htm - 38k

Philippians (2 Occurrences)
... Philippi. Paul was on his second missionary journey in the year 52 AD He
felt that he was strangely thwarted in many of his plans. ...
/p/philippians.htm - 42k

Antiochians
... His ambition included the like subjugation of Egypt, but being thwarted in his
expedition thither by Roman envoys, he returned to Jerusalem to vent his anger ...
/a/antiochians.htm - 10k

Sarai (13 Occurrences)
... the harem of a prince. But the divine promise is not to be thwarted, even
by persistent human weakness and sin. In a dream God reveals ...
/s/sarai.htm - 20k

Sarah (38 Occurrences)
... the harem of a prince. But the divine promise is not to be thwarted, even
by persistent human weakness and sin. In a dream God reveals ...
/s/sarah.htm - 28k

Resources
What does it mean that God is omnipotent? | GotQuestions.org

What is grave sucking / grave soaking / mantle grabbing? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Philistines? | GotQuestions.org

Thwarted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Thwarted (3 Occurrences)

Job 5:13
He takes the wise in their own craftiness; the counsel of the cunning is carried headlong.
(See NAS)

Job 42:2
"I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be restrained.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 8:10
Let your designs be formed, and they will come to nothing; give your orders, and they will not be effected: for God is with us.
(See NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Thwarted

Related Terms

Thwarted (3 Occurrences)

Thwart (5 Occurrences)

Thy (30882 Occurrences)

Traverse (5 Occurrences)

Malachi (2 Occurrences)

Sermon (1 Occurrence)

Sin (782 Occurrences)

Malchiel (3 Occurrences)

Thwart
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