Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 16:33
33. Seemingly the most fortuitous events are ordered by God. read more
33. Seemingly the most fortuitous events are ordered by God. read more
1. Trusting God ch. 16In this chapter, there is also a slight change in the form of the proverbs. Solomon expressed the earlier proverbs (chs. 10-15) mainly in antithetical parallelisms, but the proverbs in this section are mainly synonymous and synthetic parallelisms. Instead of the key word being "but" it now becomes "and." read more
1-9. God’s control of human life.1. Read, ’the preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.’ Man prepares his plans, but the decisive, final word is suggested by God. ’There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, roughhew them as we will.’2. Cp. 1 Corinthians 4:4.4. Read, ’The Lord hath made everything for its own end.’ God is the absolute Sovereign (Amos 3:6). The wicked are created for punishment (Exodus 9:16; Ezekiel 38:16; Ezekiel 39:21; Romans 9:17).... read more
(33) The lot is cast into the lap . . .—In other words, much that we attribute to chance is due to the providence of God. (Comp. Matthew 10:29-30.) This should be an encouragement to trust in Him. read more
CHAPTER 17A JUST BALANCE"A just balance and scales are the Lord’s: all the weights of the bag are His work."- Proverbs 16:11"A false balance is an abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is His delight."- Proverbs 11:1"Diverse weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord."- Proverbs 20:10"Diverse weights are an abomination to the Lord; and a false balance is not good."- Proverbs 20:23THE sixteenth chapter opens-and we may annex to it the last verse of... read more
CHAPTER 16 In the Light of the Lord The name Jehovah (LORD) appears eleven times in this chapter of Proverbs. The Lord has the final word, for to man belong the preparations (or plans) of the heart; but from the LORD is the answer of the tongue. It is the same thought as in our English proverb--“Man proposes--God disposes.” Man loves to justify himself, his ways are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits; He is the judge of ways and motives. Our works are to be committed... read more
16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but its whole disposing [is] {p} from the LORD.(p) So that there is nothing that ought to be attributed to fortune: for all things are determined in the counsel of God which will come to pass. read more
In these chapters we have a series of exhortations to a life of godliness expressed in general terms about as follows: 1. Confidence in God as a wise ruler (chap. 16) 2. A disposition of peacefulness and contentment (chap. 17) 3. The virtues of affability, fidelity, and others of a social nature (chap. 18) 4. Humility and meekness (chap. 19) 5. Sobriety, diligence and kindness (chap. 21) 6. Justice, patience, submission (chap. 21) 7. The attainment and preservation of a good name (chap. 22) 8.... read more
The Answer of the Tongue, Etc. Proverbs 16:0 Here is a doctrine of inspiration which descends to the most practical line of life. This doctrine deals with the individual man, as well as collective humanity. Whenever the preparations of the heart are good that is, wise, prudent, purged of selfishness, and generous with the love of God, we find nothing less than a miracle of the Holy Ghost Naturally, the heart is deceitful above all things; it requires, therefore, great preparation, that is,... read more
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 16:33
Proverbs 16:33. The lot is cast into the lap— Lots are to be considered in three different lights; or, more properly, they are of three distinct kinds. One sort is civil ballotting, of general use in states to prevent intrigues and partialities; another is a superstitious appeal to the imaginary deity, Chance, or Fortune; and there is yet a third, which is a reference of the event to heaven, by God's own direction and appointment. Of the second, or only reprehensible sort, revelation is... read more