What does this proverb tell us in regards to the tension between the doctrines of a Sovereign God and ?

The LORD Jehovah is sovereign over men's hearts, even kings' hearts. As easily as He directs rivers back and forth as they rush to the sea, so He turns the hearts of kings any direction He desires to accomplish His holy purposes. "O bless our God, ye people!"

With this knowledge in mind, we pray confidently for kings and all in authority, knowing He can and does direct their hearts and decisions (I Tim 2:1-2; Jer 29:4-7). Nehemiah did not hesitate to pray in the presence of the King of Persia for great mercy (Neh 2:1-6).

With this knowledge in mind, we submit to their laws, knowing they and their decisions are orchestrated by the LORD for His glory and our benefit (Rom 13:1-7; Isaiah 49:23).

With this knowledge in mind, we easily understand He is sovereign over lesser men and simple circumstances, so we trust Him completely and wait for His mercy (16:9; Ruth 2:3; James 4:13-15). See the comments on 16:33.

When the Roman Empire collapsed in 476 AD and ten nations rose from its ruins (Dan 7:24; Rev 17:12-13), God put in their hearts to fulfill His will and give their kingdoms in support of the Popes and the revived form of that empire (Rev 17:17). It did not matter for what selfish or fearful purposes they supported papal ambitions, they did it because God put the idea in their hearts. And when it had served His grand purpose, He changed their hearts again (Rev 17:16). And Babylon fell, as prophesied by the same LORD!

Such sovereign rule over kings' hearts was nothing new, for He had done it from the beginning. He hardened Pharaoh's heart in order to get glory over him and Egypt (Ex 4:21; 14:4,17). Why else would a man take his chariot down into the Red Sea after ten plagues in the land of Egypt! What a fool! Be not highminded, but fear!

He hardened the heart of Sihon, king of the Amorites, to destroy him in battle (Deut 2:30). He hardened David's heart to number Israel by turning him over to Satan for a season (II Sam 24:1; I Chr 21:1). He exposed Hezekiah's heart by leaving it to its own pride (II Chr 32:31). He played with Ahab by lying to him with His own prophet and then sending a lying spirit to his prophets (I King 22:15,22). And the King of Assyria was no more than an axe or saw in the LORD's hand, though he knew it not (Is 10:5-15).

Our great God removed the lusts of kings for the land of Israel three times a year, when all the men attended the three annual feasts (Ex 34:24). But he also hardened the hearts of those same kings to be destroyed in battle against Israel (Josh 11:20). He gave a new heart to Saul and great largeness of heart to Solomon to prepare them to be kings (I Sam 10:9; I Kings 4:29). But He gave Nebuchadnezzar a beast's heart for seven years to humble him, and He did not even ask the poor king's permission to do it (Dan 4:16-17)!

Whether Adolph Hitler, President Obama, or Saddam Hussein, it does not matter - the LORD controls their hearts. We can pray for them. If under their rule, we can submit to their laws (unless against God's laws). And we can rest in our Heavenly Father's loving but mighty arms. For they cannot touch us without His permission (Ps 105:14-15).

There are several problems with this interpretation. First, there is nothing that necessitates us universalizing this simple passage. The passage speaks of the king’s heart and should be understood in that context (in fact, this specific verse was most likely written by King Solomon concerning himself). The passage also does not tell us that the Lord controls the king’s heart irresistibly, which is really what the Calvinist needs the text to say in order to support exhaustive determinism. Indeed, the context would lead us to a different conclusion, a conclusion that would see the Lord’s control as resistible and the result of the king’s free surrender of his will to the will of God.

(this quote should help, it does focus on Calvinism but the point is the same.)

Jehovah’s causing Artaxerxes to do His will by granting Nehemiah’s request to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem historically illustrates Proverbs 21:1: “A king’s heart is as streams of water in the hand of Jehovah. Everywhere that he delights to, he turns it.”—Ne 2:4-8.

As with the scripture any doctrine or command can be used as an example that God gives to magnify his purpose for Pure worship and Gods loving authority over mankind. If the faith in God is strong and unmovable then no tension is involved. God is loving and everything he does is for his purposes.

According to Jeremiah 19:3, the following passage is addressed to the "kings of Judah":

Jeremiah 19:5

5 They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:

Therefore, what we learn from the combination of these passages is that whatever conclusion Calvinists draw is most certainly not the correct one.

Do you know who the King was in Proverbs 21:1? Do you think that passage could have been written when his son was King?

Following the antecedent rules that the modern "scholars" impose in Psalm 12:6-7, the "he" in Pro. 21:1 could be referring to the King, not the Lord.

Finally, a lone passage in Proverbs 21 taken out of context of the rest of the Bible does not over-ride the "whosoever" application of New Testament Gentile Salvation as laid out in Romans 10 (mosts Calvinists never make it out of ch. 9).

I thinks it's odd and even demonic that Calvinists tend to take any decisiveness on God's part, anywhere in the Bible concerning any issue, and interpret that to mean that the T.U.L.I.P. must override all the clear and plain scripture God gave us concerning how Gentile Salvation in the church age actually DOES work.

There's no tension at all as far as the Bible is concerned. I've read my Bible enough to know that Calvinism to any degree is just another one of the pagan philosophies of Colossians 2:8. It's precepts originated from paganism (Menachianism) and result in pagan panentheism.

God's sovereignty is infinitely higher than the Calvinist model depicts. The Calvinist "doctrines of sovereignty" are disrespectful to God and his words. There is no tension raised by this issue for anyone who has basic familiarity with scripture.

This proverb alludes to the Eastern method of watering the land. Many canals are dug from one stream, and by opening a particular sluice the cultivator can direct a stream to whatever part he pleases. So Jehovah God can direct the thoughts of a king in harmony with his will and order.

Here, too, is shown that Jehovah rules the spirit of man in that he has access to his innermost thoughts and feelings. A power that human monarchs cannot claim.

God makes use of circumstances in such a way that the wicked themselves unwittingly serve his purpose. Though they oppose God, he can restrain them to the extent necessary for the preserving of his servants in their integrity, and can cause the actions even of such persons to bring his righteousness to the fore.

The man is still making the choice, it's just that God has predetermined the choice.

Notice that it's 'like the rivers of water' which aren't turned suddenly, God has set in places a series of events that create the rivers shape.

God bless.

Good question. I see that as contrary to the higher teaching of our Master Jesus Christ Who gives us all true spiritual liberty and freewill to do good, do nothing or do evil. He calls all to be perfect; but we each are endowed to follow that tremendous Invitation-command or refuse. "Let him who wills, come onto Me."

It was in early Mithraic, Persian, Egyptian and Hebrew religions where God was thought to be the Cause of both Good and Evil -- terrible, ungodly teachings of "dualism". No, our loving Father God is just like Jesus Christ - all loving, merciful, kind, compassionate, fatherly friendly and Who removes all sin and iniquity of all beings and humans in his own loving and merciful way.

Predestination is not opposed to human free will. For example a wise human father and mother might both know that their son will later choose (be predestined) to become a great vocal musician, even though he starts out wanting to be a fireman, then is a tech-writer, then a hobby store owner. The son is fully allowed to choose a series of occupations until in his mid-thirties (soul maturity usually starts then) he becomes successful in opera singing and loves that best. Never did his wise parents suggest that; but great singing ability was in that family's father and mother and in many of their ancestors.

The heart of every king, and all that is in it, his thoughts, counsels, purposes, and designs; the hearts of bad kings, as Pharaoh, whom the Lord hardened and softened at pleasure. The will and plan of God will always take place, regardless of free will. He can use our free will actions to be in accordance of His plan as well.

the Lord can turn the hearts of men as he pleases; their understanding, will, and affections, are in his hands: he can make the understanding light which was darkness, and so turn it from darkness to light; he can take off the stiffness of the will, and turn it from its bias and bent, and make it willing to that which is good in the day of his power: he can turn the channel and course of the affections from sinful lusts and pleasures, to himself, his son, his truths, word, worship, ordinances, and people; he can take out of the heart what he pleases, its ignorance, hardness, enmity, unbelief, pride, and vanity; and he can put in what he pleases, his fear, his laws, his Spirit, and the gifts and graces of if; he can change and turn it just as he will; he that made the heart can operate upon it, and do with it as seems good in his sight.

Shalom,

Your question is hard to understand. Why tension? So Solomon is saying, that the Lord changes him as he wishes because he belongs to him. But in the end, Solomon was worshipping idols we know, so if you see tension here, maybe that is so, otherwise he wouldn't have strayed away possibly.

The Sovereign God can override or influence behaviors if it is for the better good. I know it sounds contrary, but sometimes God used Israel's enemies who were warrior nations to come against Israel because they were disobedient. He used their natural tendencies for His plans. But those that come against Israel still have to suffer the consequences. God may be love, but He is also omnipotent, just, righteous and in charge.