Proverbs 16:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

NIV: The Lord works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster.

NASB: The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.

CSB: The Lord has prepared everything for his purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.

NLT: The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.

KJV: The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

NKJV: The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

Scripture indicates that God did not "create" moral evil. Everything He made has a good use and some beneficial application (1 Timothy 4:4). What makes something evil is when it is used contrary to the purposes for which it was created. Even when human beings choose to do evil—defying God in the process—He can use that to accomplish His will. The idea that everything God does has some good purpose is challenging (Romans 8:18–25). Circumstances where people suffer without bringing it on themselves (John 9:1–3) are hard to understand. For example, an especially difficult situation is faced by parents of severely disabled or ill children. Even then, one can take comfort knowing that the Lord has a purpose for those children. Without God, their experiences would be ultimately meaningless.

This proverb assures us that the Lord is not weak or dependent on man for success. He is fully in control, assured of His purposes, and makes no mistakes. Every human being should try to discover the Lord's purpose for his or her life. Certainly, it is God's desire that an individual should trust in Christ as Savior and become like Christ (Acts 17:26–27, 30; Romans 8:28–30). The Lord has created every person to glorify Him. That even includes those who are evil. Even the destruction of the wicked conforms to the Lord's will. Proverbs 16:4 assures us that the Lord made "even the wicked for the day of trouble." God created an eternal punishment for sin, which is the fate of all who die without having trusted in His Son as Savior. John 3:36 declares: "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."

Proverbs 16:1–9 reflects on the heart's intention to make plans and the Lord's rule over that planning. Committing one's ways to God, with reverence, is the wise way to make plans. The Lord has a purpose for everything He created (1 Timothy 4:4). This continues the main section of the book of Proverbs: a compilation of short, general-case statements of wisdom.

This part of Solomon's proverbs emphasizes human motives, self-control, and common sense. Many of these proverbs are arranged in a two-part style. The first and second half of these statements make the same basic point, but from opposite perspectives. Notable verses are verses 9 and 33, speaking of God's sovereignty, and verse 18, a famous warning about arrogance. Also often cited is verse 25, which repeats Proverbs 14:12 and encourages self-reflection.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.