Topical Bible: Plans

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In the biblical context, the concept of "plans" is deeply intertwined with the divine will and human responsibility. The Bible presents a nuanced view of planning, emphasizing both the sovereignty of God and the importance of human diligence and wisdom.

Divine Plans

The Scriptures affirm that God has sovereign plans that are ultimately for the good of His people and the fulfillment of His purposes. Jeremiah 29:11 is a well-known verse that encapsulates this idea: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This verse reassures believers of God's benevolent intentions and His control over the future.

Proverbs 19:21 further highlights the supremacy of God's plans over human intentions: "Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail." This underscores the belief that while humans may devise their own plans, it is ultimately God's purpose that will be accomplished.

Human Plans

The Bible also speaks to the importance of human planning, encouraging believers to act with wisdom and foresight. Proverbs 16:3 advises, "Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be achieved." This suggests that successful planning involves seeking God's guidance and aligning one's plans with His will.

In the New Testament, James 4:13-15 offers a cautionary perspective on human planning: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.' You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.'" This passage reminds believers of the uncertainty of life and the need to submit their plans to God's will.

Planning and Wisdom

The Bible frequently associates planning with wisdom. Proverbs 21:5 states, "The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty." This verse highlights the value of careful and thoughtful planning as a means to achieve prosperity and avoid the pitfalls of rash decisions.

In the context of building and construction, Jesus uses the metaphor of planning in Luke 14:28-30: "Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This man could not finish what he started to build.'" This parable illustrates the importance of foresight and preparation in undertaking significant endeavors.

God's Plans for Salvation

Central to the biblical narrative is God's redemptive plan for humanity through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:9-10 reveals, "And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ." This passage emphasizes that God's ultimate plan is to unite all things under Christ, highlighting the centrality of Jesus in God's salvific purposes.

Conclusion

The biblical teaching on plans encourages believers to trust in God's sovereign purposes while also exercising wisdom and diligence in their own planning. By aligning their plans with God's will and seeking His guidance, believers can navigate the complexities of life with confidence and hope.

Greek

899. bathos -- depth
... bath'-os) Short Definition: depth, a depth, a deep Definition: depth; deep water;
met: fullness, immensity; an extreme degree; profundities, deep-laid plans. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/899.htm - 6k

4401. procheirotoneo -- to appoint beforehand
... in Ac 10:41). 4401 ("God's ") illustrates how , plans out all the of our
lives before the foundation of the world (cf. Ps 139:16 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4401.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

5082. nedibah -- nobility, nobleness
... 5081, 5082. nedibah. 5083 . nobility, nobleness. Transliteration: nedibah
Phonetic Spelling: (ned-ee-baw') Short Definition: plans. ...
/hebrew/5082.htm - 6k

4633. maarak -- an arrangement
... 4632, 4633. maarak. 4634 . an arrangement. Transliteration: maarak Phonetic
Spelling: (mah-ar-awk') Short Definition: plans. Word ...
/hebrew/4633.htm - 6k

6098. etsah -- counsel, advice
... advice NASB Word Usage advice (11), consultation (2), counsel (52), counselor*
(1), counselors* (1), counsels (1), designs (1), plan (8), plans (2), purpose (6 ...
/hebrew/6098.htm - 6k

2803. chashab -- to think, account
... 2), execute (1), have (1), impute (1), intend (2), make (2), makers (1), meant
(2), mindful (1), plan (2), planned (3), planning (5), plans (4), plotted (1 ...
/hebrew/2803.htm - 6k

4284. machashabah -- thought, device
... Definition thought, device NASB Word Usage design (1), designs (3), devised (1),
intentions* (1), invented (1), inventive (1), plan (2), plans (14), plot (1 ...
/hebrew/4284.htm - 6k

4941. mishpat -- judgment
... 118), justly (3), kind (1), manner (3), matters of justice (1), mode of life (1),
order (1), ordinance (29), ordinances (79), plan (1), plans (1), practice (1 ...
/hebrew/4941.htm - 7k

2154. zimmah -- a plan, device, wickedness
... Usage acts of lewdness (1), crime (1), devising (1), evil intent (1), immorality
(2), lewd (3), lewdly (1), lewdness (13), lustful crime (1), plans (1), wicked ...
/hebrew/2154.htm - 6k

5475. sod -- council, counsel
... counsel NASB Word Usage circle (1), company (1), consultation (1), council (5),
fellowship (1), friendship (1), gathering (1), intimate (1), plans (1), secret ...
/hebrew/5475.htm - 6k

4209. mezimmah -- purpose, discretion, device
... Word Origin from zamam Definition purpose, discretion, device NASB Word Usage devises
evil (1), discretion (5), evil devices (1), intent (1), plans (1), plot (1 ...
/hebrew/4209.htm - 6k

Library

Plans of Marriage
... SAINT AUGUSTIN IV PLANS OF MARRIAGE. But even as he draws nearer the goal, Augustin
would appear, on the contrary, to get farther away from it. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iv plans of marriage.htm

How a Little Study Upset the Plans of a Few Prominent Infidels.
... How a Little Study Upset the Plans of a few Prominent Infidels. It is said
of West, an eminent man, that he was going to take up ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/how a little study upset.htm

How to Overcome Disappointment
... heart so fully upon the thing they wish to have or do, whatever it may be, that
they make no provision whatever, except to carry out their plans exactly as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk forty-two how to overcome.htm

John Wesley.
... He possessed, in an eminent degree, the power of comprehending at once the general
outlines and the details of plans, the aggregate and the integrants. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/john wesley.htm

Separated unto the Holy Ghost
... Let me point out to you some of the precious thoughts our passage suggests. First
of all, we see that God has His own plans with regard to His kingdom. ...
/.../murray/absolute surrender/separated unto the holy ghost.htm

Unionism in the Ascendency.
... A committee was also appointed to confer with the German Reformed, and to devise
plans for utilizing Franklin College as a theological seminary, in order to ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/unionism in the ascendency.htm

Blighted Blossoms
... "Ah," thought I, "how like these blighted blossoms are so many of the desires
and hopes and plans of our lives! ... How many of our plans fail! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk five blighted blossoms.htm

Man's Difficulty Concerning Prayer.
... relation to us. It supposes him to have cares and plans and intentions
concerning our part of creation, irrespective of us. What is ...
/.../macdonald/unspoken sermons/mans difficulty concerning prayer.htm

Accession of Cyrus to the Throne.
... of Cyrus."His ambition."Capriciousness of Astyages."Cyrus makes great progress in
mental and personal accomplishments."Harpagus's plans for revenge ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter v accession of cyrus.htm

He came to his Own.
... And the dear old woman had to make new plans. ... "It's a bit late the night,
Laddie, I'm thinking, to be talking about new plans.". ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/he came to his own.htm

Thesaurus

Plans (55 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Plans (55 Occurrences). ... (See NIV). Job 17:11 My days are
past, my plans are broken off, as are the thoughts of my heart. ...
/p/plans.htm - 20k

Succeed (47 Occurrences)
... desired; to accomplish what is attempted or intended; to have a prosperous issue
or termination; to be successful; as, he succeeded in his plans; his plans...
/s/succeed.htm - 23k

Discomfit (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To thwart the plans of; frustrate; disconcert.
2. (vt) To break up and frustrate the plans of; to ...
/d/discomfit.htm - 9k

Way (7551 Occurrences)
... Since all of God's plans and purposes tend toward man's salvation, His provisions
to this end are frequently spoken of as His Way, and inasmuch as all of the ...
/w/way.htm - 15k

Treasury (25 Occurrences)
... In the reign of David, and in his plans for the future temple, great prominence
is given to the "treasuries." In 1 Chronicles 26:20; are given the names of ...
/t/treasury.htm - 27k

Architecture
... ARCHITECTURE. ar'-ki-tek-tur: I. GENERAL HISTORY 1. Plans, Estimates and Measuring
2. Old Testament References II. ... The plans vary considerably in proportion. ...
/a/architecture.htm - 28k

Planning (8 Occurrences)

/p/planning.htm - 9k

Nero
... She how felt secure to carry out the plans for the elevation of her son: Her Nine
Measures for Bringing Him to the Throne (1) She secured his betrothal to ...
/n/nero.htm - 41k

Macedonia (23 Occurrences)
... During the course of a long stay at Ephesus he laid plans for a 2nd journey through
Macedonia and Achaia, and dispatched two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus ...
/m/macedonia.htm - 40k

Zebul (5 Occurrences)
... as this. There seem however to be parallels: (1) The plans of Abimelech
in 9:34-40 are very similar to those in 9:42;. (2) Judges ...
/z/zebul.htm - 12k

Resources

How can we commit our work to the Lord and have our plans established (Proverbs 16:3)? | GotQuestions.org

Does God sometimes use evil to accomplish His plans (Habakkuk 1:5-11)? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about setting goals? | GotQuestions.org

Plans: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Plans (55 Occurrences)

Matthew 22:15
Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk.
(See NIV)

John 12:10
But the chief priests conspired to put Lazarus to death also,
(See NIV)

Acts 4:25
and didst say through the Holy Spirit by the lips of our forefather David Thy servant, "'Why have the nations stamped and raged, and the peoples formed futile plans?
(WEY)

2 Corinthians 1:17
Did I display any vacillation or caprice in this? Or the purposes which I form--do I form them on worldly principles, now crying "Yes, yes," and now "No, no"?
(See RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 23:10
Then David said, "O Yahweh, the God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.
(See NIV)

2 Samuel 14:14
For we must die, and are as water split on the ground, which can't be gathered up again; neither does God take away life, but devises means, that he who is banished not be an outcast from him.
(See NAS)

1 Kings 6:38
In the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all its parts, and according to all its fashion. So was he seven years in building it.
(See NAS)

2 Kings 16:10
King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria, and saw the altar that was at Damascus; and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and its pattern, according to all its workmanship.
(See NIV)

2 Kings 16:11
Urijah the priest built an altar: according to all that king Ahaz had sent from Damascus, so did Urijah the priest make it against the coming of king Ahaz from Damascus.
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 28:2
Then David the king got up and said, Give ear to me, my brothers and my people; it was my desire to put up a house, a resting-place for the ark of the Lord's agreement, and for the foot-rest of our God; and I had got material ready for the building of it.
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 28:11
Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch of the temple, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper rooms thereof, and of the inner chambers thereof, and of the place of the ark-cover;
(See NIV)

Ezra 4:5
and hired counselors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
(See NIV)

Job 5:12
He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands can't perform their enterprise.
(See NIV)

Job 17:11
My days are past, my plans are broken off, as are the thoughts of my heart.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Job 21:27
"Behold, I know your thoughts, the devices with which you would wrong me.
(See NAS)

Job 23:14
For he performs that which is appointed for me. Many such things are with him.
(See NIV)

Job 26:3
What -- thou hast given counsel to the unwise, And wise plans in abundance made known.
(YLT)

Psalms 14:6
You frustrate the plan of the poor, because Yahweh is his refuge.
(See RSV NIV)

Psalms 20:4
May He grant you your heart's desire, and fulfill all your counsel.
(See RSV NIV)

Psalms 33:10
Yahweh brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. He makes the thoughts of the peoples to be of no effect.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 33:11
The counsel of Yahweh stands fast forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
(See NAS NIV)

Psalms 36:4
He plots iniquity on his bed. He sets himself in a way that is not good. He doesn't abhor evil.
(See NAS)

Psalms 55:9
Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
(See RSV)

Psalms 64:5
They encourage themselves in evil plans. They talk about laying snares secretly. They say, "Who will see them?"
(WEB NIV)

Psalms 83:3
They have made wise designs against your people, talking together against those whom you keep in a secret place.
(See NAS RSV)

Psalms 140:2
For their hearts are full of evil designs; and they are ever making ready causes of war.
(See NIV)

Psalms 140:8
Yahweh, don't grant the desires of the wicked. Don't let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah.
(WEB NIV)

Psalms 146:4
Man's breath goes out, he is turned back again to dust; in that day all his purposes come to an end.
(See RSV NIV)

Proverbs 6:18
A heart full of evil designs, feet which are quick in running after sin;
(See NAS RSV)

Proverbs 15:22
Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 15:26
Evil designs are disgusting to the Lord, but the words of the clean-hearted are pleasing.
(See NAS)

Proverbs 16:1
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 16:3
Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 16:9
A man's heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 16:30
He whose eyes are shut is a man of twisted purposes, and he who keeps his lips shut tight makes evil come about.
(See RSV)

Proverbs 19:21
There are many plans in a man's heart, but Yahweh's counsel will prevail.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 20:18
Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!
(WEB DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 24:6
For by plans thou makest for thyself war, And deliverance 'is' in a multitude of counsellors.
(YLT)

Proverbs 24:8
He whose purposes are bad will be named a man of evil designs.
(See NAS RSV)

Isaiah 19:3
And the spirit of Egypt will be troubled in her, and I will make her decisions without effect: and they will be turning to the false gods, and to those who make hollow sounds, and to those who have control of spirits, and to those who are wise in secret arts.
(See RSV NIV)

Isaiah 19:17
The land of Judah will become a terror to Egypt. Everyone to whom mention is made of it will be afraid, because of the plans of Yahweh of Armies, which he determines against it.
(WEB)

Isaiah 25:1
O Lord, you are my God; I will give praise to you, I will give honour to your name; for you have done great acts of power; your purposes in the past have been made true and certain in effect.
(See NAS RSV)

Isaiah 29:15
Cursed are those who go deep to keep their designs secret from the Lord, and whose works are in the dark, and who say, Who sees us? and who has knowledge of our acts?
(See NAS NIV)

Isaiah 30:1
Ho! uncontrolled children, says the Lord, who give effect to a purpose which is not mine, and who make an agreement, but not by my spirit, increasing their sin:
(See NIV)

Isaiah 32:8
But the noble-hearted man has noble purposes, and by these he will be guided.
(See NAS NIV)

Jeremiah 6:19
Give ear, O earth: see, I will make evil come on this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not given attention to my words, and they would have nothing to do with my law.
(See NAS)

Jeremiah 9:8
His tongue is an arrow causing death; the words of his mouth are deceit: he says words of peace to his neighbour, but in his heart he is waiting secretly for him.
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 18:12
But they say, It is in vain; for we will walk after our own devices, and we will do everyone after the stubbornness of his evil heart.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 18:18
Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
(See NAS NIV)

Jeremiah 19:7
And I have made void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place, and have caused them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hand of those seeking their life, and I have given their carcase for food to the fowl of the heavens, and to the beast of the earth,
(See RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Daniel 11:17
And it will be his purpose to come with the strength of all his kingdom, but in place of this he will make an agreement with him; and he will give him the daughter of women to send destruction on it; but this will not take place or come about.
(See NIV)

Daniel 11:24
Peaceably even into the fertile places of the province He cometh, and he hath done that which his fathers did not, nor his fathers' fathers; prey, and spoil, and substance, to them he scattereth, and against fenced places he deviseth his devices, even for a time.
(See RSV)

Hosea 11:6
The sword will fall on their cities, and will destroy the bars of their gates, and will put an end to their plans.
(WEB NIV)

Subtopics

Plans

Plans to Prosper

Related Terms

Succeed (47 Occurrences)

Discomfit (6 Occurrences)

Way (7551 Occurrences)

Treasury (25 Occurrences)

Architecture

Planning (8 Occurrences)

Nero