Pro 16:7 | KingComments | STEP | In , it is about complete deliverance from sin, what brought about that deliverance, and what is the practical consequence. The first line of verse speaks of the atonement of iniquity. The second line of verse speaks of keeping away from evil. “Lovingkindness and truth” are characteristics of God. They become particularly evident on the cross ( ). God, through the cross work of His Son Jesus Christ, worked atonement for everyone who believes. His lovingkindness speaks of Him being full of goodness and love for man. He has shown this in the gift of His Son. His faithfulness has to do with His faithfulness to the truth. He cannot ignore sin without question. Sin must be judged. He has done that in the judgment He brought upon His Son. His faithfulness to the truth also includes reconciling to Himself each one who accepts the sacrifice He has brought in Christ. Whoever shares in the atonement of his iniquities is delivered from the power of sin. In his life it will be seen that he no longer serves sin and that he keeps away from evil. He cannot do this in his own strength. The impetus for this lies in “the fear of the LORD”. Out of love and reverence for God, he will no longer want to have anything to do with evil, with sin, in order to live only to the glory of God ( ). “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD”, it is because they remind Him of the ways the Lord Jesus went on earth in which He had perfect pleasure ( ). Those ways initially evoke hatred on the part of the world and not peace. Yet enemies will acknowledge the benefit of such a way and seek friendship with him because of that benefit. A lifestyle that pleases God disarms social hostility. The life that pleases God is a life lived by faith ( ). It will be blameless and find grace with others. God can bring about that. It is not about all enmity from all enemies, but in certain situations, where He wants it. A person can be charged by enemies and thrown into prison. In prison, God can work the hearts of fellow prisoners to accept and appreciate the believer. Joseph experienced this. We must remember that this proverb should not be declared valid for all situations. Another rule, which is equally valid, is that believers have tribulation in the world ( ), just as “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus” will be persecuted ( ). The few possessions a person has, but obtained in a righteous manner, are better than “great income” obtained in an unfair manner, “with injustice”, without being entitled to it ( ). “Little” does not necessarily mean extreme poverty; it could refer to a modest income. It is about what gives satisfaction in life, and that is God’s approval and fellowship with Him. God abhors dishonestly obtained income. What is obtained dishonestly is also not used well. What is honestly earned is used well and that is to live on it and also to do good with it to others. What is obtained dishonestly is squandered in a licentious life. Once one has a taste for this, he is insatiable and will want to appropriate even more unrightfully to finance his luxurious lifestyle. The widow in Zarephath, who had little but had with Elijah the resources of God in her home ( ), was better off than Jezebel with her “great income with injustice” ( ). In a spiritual sense, we can apply this to the church on earth. True believers, the true church, have little in earthly terms, but possess God’s righteousness in Christ. They have little power. Opposed to this is the false church, the roman-catholic system that boasts of possessing all spiritual wealth, but without entitlement. The true church has nothing but Christ; the false church has everything but Christ. shows the contrast there can be between what we intend and what actually happens. God determines what actually happens. We may plan for the way we want to go. But if we want to take steps to go that way, we must keep in mind that ultimately the Lord directs our lives ( ; ). The point is to learn to say: “If the Lord wills and we will live and also do this or that” ( ; ).

‏ Proverbs 16:7

To Live Under the Sovereignty of God

In Pro 16:6, it is about complete deliverance from sin, what brought about that deliverance, and what is the practical consequence. The first line of verse speaks of the atonement of iniquity. The second line of verse speaks of keeping away from evil.

“Lovingkindness and truth” are characteristics of God. They become particularly evident on the cross (Psa 85:10). God, through the cross work of His Son Jesus Christ, worked atonement for everyone who believes. His lovingkindness speaks of Him being full of goodness and love for man. He has shown this in the gift of His Son.

His faithfulness has to do with His faithfulness to the truth. He cannot ignore sin without question. Sin must be judged. He has done that in the judgment He brought upon His Son. His faithfulness to the truth also includes reconciling to Himself each one who accepts the sacrifice He has brought in Christ.

Whoever shares in the atonement of his iniquities is delivered from the power of sin. In his life it will be seen that he no longer serves sin and that he keeps away from evil. He cannot do this in his own strength. The impetus for this lies in “the fear of the LORD”. Out of love and reverence for God, he will no longer want to have anything to do with evil, with sin, in order to live only to the glory of God (Tit 2:11-12).

“When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD”, it is because they remind Him of the ways the Lord Jesus went on earth in which He had perfect pleasure (Pro 16:7). Those ways initially evoke hatred on the part of the world and not peace. Yet enemies will acknowledge the benefit of such a way and seek friendship with him because of that benefit.

A lifestyle that pleases God disarms social hostility. The life that pleases God is a life lived by faith (Heb 11:6). It will be blameless and find grace with others. God can bring about that. It is not about all enmity from all enemies, but in certain situations, where He wants it. A person can be charged by enemies and thrown into prison. In prison, God can work the hearts of fellow prisoners to accept and appreciate the believer. Joseph experienced this.

We must remember that this proverb should not be declared valid for all situations. Another rule, which is equally valid, is that believers have tribulation in the world (Jn 16:33), just as “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus” will be persecuted (2Tim 3:12).

The few possessions a person has, but obtained in a righteous manner, are better than “great income” obtained in an unfair manner, “with injustice”, without being entitled to it (Pro 16:8). “Little” does not necessarily mean extreme poverty; it could refer to a modest income. It is about what gives satisfaction in life, and that is God’s approval and fellowship with Him. God abhors dishonestly obtained income.

What is obtained dishonestly is also not used well. What is honestly earned is used well and that is to live on it and also to do good with it to others. What is obtained dishonestly is squandered in a licentious life. Once one has a taste for this, he is insatiable and will want to appropriate even more unrightfully to finance his luxurious lifestyle.

The widow in Zarephath, who had little but had with Elijah the resources of God in her home (1Kgs 17:10-15), was better off than Jezebel with her “great income with injustice” (2Kgs 9:32-37). In a spiritual sense, we can apply this to the church on earth. True believers, the true church, have little in earthly terms, but possess God’s righteousness in Christ. They have little power. Opposed to this is the false church, the roman-catholic system that boasts of possessing all spiritual wealth, but without entitlement. The true church has nothing but Christ; the false church has everything but Christ.

Pro 16:9 shows the contrast there can be between what we intend and what actually happens. God determines what actually happens. We may plan for the way we want to go. But if we want to take steps to go that way, we must keep in mind that ultimately the Lord directs our lives (Jer 10:23; Psa 37:23). The point is to learn to say: “If the Lord wills and we will live and also do this or that” (Jam 4:13-15; 1Thes 3:11).