Proverbs 16:7 - Granting Us Peace

Proverbs 16:7
When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Message: Granting us peace

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

According to the TableTalk reading on this passage for today, the fall of Adam and Eve introduced several wars into creation.

1. War with God - every thought of the fallen heart is only evil continually, and people seek to overthrow the Lord's rightful place as ruler over their lives. In Genesis 8:21, the Lord said that the intention of man's heart is evil, since his youth. In Romans 3:1-20 speaks of how the unrighteousness of man upholds the righteousness of God. Man does not want to do good; there is none righteous, not even one; no one understands, no one seeks for God; all have turned aside. Man's tongue, mouth, feet are swift to inflict evil. 
2. War with Himself - Romans 2 says the Law is written on our hearts; right and wrong is written on our heart and accuses us all of our days. This is a plain and simple reality, yet one that causes us tension all of our days. The pain is no matter how hard we try, we will never be fully good and proper. 
3. War with Other People - The moment after Adam and Eve sinned, Adam immediately laid the blame on Eve. Human society has been characterized by strife, disagreement, and hatred between people. 

The third point is the focus of today's passage from Proverbs with the result of this promise that man's enemies will be at peace with us when our ways please the Lord. And it is interesting because in this passage the way we have peace with our fellow man is not by being a better person towards them or having more sensitivity; this may be the result, but our focus is to be on pleasing the Lord. 

This makes sense, if I follow the Lord's commands to not lie, steal, commit adultery, murder, then it naturally will result in people not being harmed or feeling harmed. But, I cannot guarantee that all people all the time will be kind with me, no matter how I act. And yet Jesus pronounces a blessing upon those who are hated in Matthew 5 reminding us to look toward heaven and the hope we have with him there. And yet we do know that things will work out for good. Matthew Henry comment:

"God can turn foes into friends when he pleases. He that has all hearts in his hand has access to men's spirits and power over them, working insensibly, but irresistibly upon them, can make a man's enemies to be at peace with him, can change their minds, or force them into a feigned submission. He can slay all enemies, and bring those together that were at the greatest distance from each other." 

Promise: This is a good reminder. We are programmed to solve problems through time management, leadership development, becoming a better communicator, conflict resolutions -- but I must remember that the real focus of my heart should be doing things that please the Lord.