There are not many things we can lean on in this chaotic world, but we can rest assured that God’s purpose will prevail throughout eternity. God’s purpose was devised before time began.
In this column the predominant Hebrew word for purpose will be Etsah which carries the additional meanings of ‘counsel’ and ‘plan.’
The wise King Solomon addressed the issue of the immutability of God’s counsel, or purpose.
“There are many plans (devices) in a man’s heart, nevertheless the LORD’s counsel – that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21
The plans of a man include his thoughts, imaginations, and intentions. They are subsidiary to God’s counsel or purpose which will stand, be established, or endure forever.
God’s purpose also applies to nations as well as to individuals.
“The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.” Psalm 33:10-11
As we progress into the prophets the immutability of God’s purpose is confirmed.
“The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, ‘Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand.’” Isaiah 14:24
This Scripture applies to God’s dealing with Assyria.
“For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it?” Isaiah 14:27
The Hebrew for ‘purposed’ in the contexts above similarly means ‘plan’ and/or ‘counsel.’
It is quite clear, no man or nation can override the counsel or purpose of God.
Does that indicate that men and nations are making plans and treaties in total naiveté?
Isaiah continues to reveal the sovereignty of God and the immutability of His counsel and purpose.
“I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning…saying, ‘My counsel shall stand…Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass, I have purposed it; I will also do it.’” Isaiah 46:9b, 10b, 11b
God confirms that He has not only devised His purpose for mankind and the nations from the beginning, but He has revealed it to man. And what He has spoken, He will do.
The thoughts of the nations then and now was/is to destroy God’s chosen nation of Israel.
“Now many nations have gathered against you…but they do not know the thoughts of the LORD, nor do they understand His counsel; for He will gather them like sheaves to the threshing floor.” Micah 4:11-12
In this passage, both words ‘thoughts’ and ‘counsel’ can be used interchangeably with ‘purpose.’
Israel was and always will be God’s chosen nation to serve as the example for all other nations.
God will fulfill His purpose for Israel and all nations through His Son.
“…Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor…” Isaiah 9:6
‘Counselor’ in this passage is the same word we’ve been applying as the one to fulfill God’s purpose and plan.
The nations will attempt to foil God’s plan in total vanity.
“Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together…He who sits in the heavens shall laugh…” Psalm 2:1, 4a
God is wondering why the people and nations would build foolish coalitions against His people. It is such folly that God is laughing at them.
Let’s list several summary points in this column.
· Man’s plans are foolishness and will pass away
· God’s plans, purpose, and counsel were established in eternity past and will endure throughout eternity future
· God is totally transparent; He has revealed His purpose to man
· What God says He will do, He will do
· God has provided and appointed His Son to be the counselor for all nations
· Any attempts to annul God’s purpose will end in total disaster
· God laughs at the nations for being so foolish as to plot against His purpose
Is God’s purpose and counsel a top priority with America and her leaders?
Has America chosen life, or…