The wisdom of the Bible is not questioned even by those who do not consider themselves believers. In a difficult situation, ordinary people enjoying a previously secular life turn to the Holy Scriptures to find comfort and hope in it. Quite often sufferers come across the phrase "The ways of the Lord are inscrutable." What does it mean? How to understand and interpret this very common expression? In this article, we will try to make sure that you never again wondered what the Lordās Inscrutable Paths are.
The Bible is the source of wisdom
The preachers say that the Lord himself directs the person at the right time to the Bible and opens before him the very page, the lines from which will flow with balm on the wounded soul. Therefore, do not think, finding in the Holy Scripture the phrase "The ways of the Lord are mysterious," what this means. Be sure - this is directly related to your life and the events taking place in it. Otherwise, why would this expression catch your eye?
Not every inhabitant correctly understands what the phrase "the ways of the Lord are inscrutable" means. Even fewer people know where it came from. Let's clarify this difficult question.
Where did the expression āthe ways of the Lord are inscrutableā come from?
This phrase is used both by priests and ordinary lay people. Most often, it is used as a comforting word in sermons and in private conversation. Few people wonder where in the New Testament it can be found and in what context it was used for the first time.
If you open the Bible at the epistle of Paul to the Romans, you will find the following text there: "O abyss of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are His destinies and His paths are unexplored!" This verse can be considered the first application of the phrase "The ways of the Lord are inscrutable", the meaning of which does not change from the wording of the expression itself.
The fact is that the interpretation of many words from the Bible has no analogues in the Russian language. Therefore, Orthodox clergymen had to select substitute words that were more understandable and similar in sound. Not surprisingly, the biblical expression has undergone some changes and now sounds different than in the original source.
What does the expression "the mysterious ways of the Lord" mean?
It is difficult to interpret biblical wisdom, because the preachers believe that it is necessary to perceive it with soul and heart. But we still try to understand the true meaning of the expression.
If you carefully read the source, that is, the New Testament, it will be clear that the apostle Paul admires the intentions of the Lord. He does not offer to keep track of His plans, but acknowledges that they are difficult to understand for the average person. And do not even try to figure out how God will lead you. In addition, many Christian preachers warn people against trying to look into God's purposes. Otherwise, the pride of a person can be punished, therefore, they teach a person phrases about the inexhaustibility of God's providence.
In modern Russian, the word "unsearchable" has long been replaced by "inscrutable". It is much clearer in sound, but the meaning of the phrase remains the same - a person must trust God and everything that happens in his life, perceive with gratitude and humility. It is the humble Lord that the Scripture reveals its plans, but not always.
If itās still difficult for you to understand what the expression āthe ways of the Lord are inscrutableā means, then draw a parallel with the no less famous proverb āEverything that is done is everything for the betterā. Both of these expressions testify to the fact that everything in a personās life follows God's plan and that his will must be trusted.
In what sense is a common biblical phrase used?
We already understand where the phrase "the Lord's ways are mysterious" came from to the "people." What does this mean in today's world? How different is the understanding of the expression of today's people from the Orthodox believers of past centuries? The clergy believe that the difference is significant.
Previously, people relied more easily on God's plans and submitted to all changes in their lives. Believers were sure that their own path was defined above them, and it only leads to the salvation of the soul. There was practically no desire to argue with God and His plans. There are cases when the most severe trials that befell a person, passed with dignity, prayer and gratitude, brought a person to a new level of life. And then people said that God brought man happiness, or said that the ways of the Lord are inscrutable. What does this mean, no one even thought, so strong was the faith in God's designs.
Of course, now few people can boast of such a strong faith. No wonder so many troubles and misfortunes are encountered in people's lives. According to the priests, until a person gives his life into the hands of God and passes all the milestones outlined, he will be tested. In the modern world, we often say a well-known phrase as sympathy or comfort when we do not know how to explain an unpleasant incident and encourage a person. It does not sound in her past admiration and reverent awe before the plans of God, only an acknowledgment of her weakness and defenselessness before higher powers.
"The ways of the Lord are inscrutable" - the fundamental phrase of Christianity
Many theologians who pay great attention to Bible study believe that there is a list of phrases that most accurately characterize the meaning of Christianity. What does the phrase āthe ways of the Lord are inscrutableā in this sense?
Everything is more than simple, but at the same time surprisingly difficult for the understanding of independent and self-confident residents of the twenty-first century. Theologians say that humility before God is expressed in gratitude for everything that comes to life. After all, only the Lord knows the past, present and future. He knows how to avoid dangers and temptations or which way to go. Therefore, many parables explain how it is necessary to pass tests in order to find happiness. They are able to allegorically convey the importance of accepting the will of the Lord.
Parable of the Elder and the Angel
There are many legends on the topic of our article, but one parable very colorfully describes how little we see and understand in what is happening around us. According to this parable, the old man wise with gray hair could not understand the injustices of our world and constantly appealed to the Almighty with questions and groans. One day he found an angel nearby, who ordered the old man to climb a tree and watch what would happen below for three days. The sage obeyed and on the first day he saw a rich horseman lose a sack of gold. On the second day, the gold was found by a farmer who sat down to have a bite to eat under a tree. On the third day, a beggar came to a tree and eagerly began to eat food forgotten by a happy peasant. But the rider returned to his misfortune and killed the beggar, believing that he had stolen a lost bag of money. After these events, the old man got down from the tree in tears and deep indignation. He was ready to renounce the faith, seeing such injustice, but the angel stopped him and explained the essence of what was happening. He said that the wealthy rider is a fierce tax collector who ruins the people. And he killed the former robber who prayed for death in atonement for his past sins. After this murder, the tax collector will repent of his deed and turn to God. And the farmer was almost ruined by exorbitant taxes, and a bag of gold saved his entire family from imminent death.
āThe ways of the Lord are inscrutableā - what this means, we think, will become even more clear after reading the next parable.
The sleep of a hermit monk
For many years, a hermit monk lived righteously and in prayers in one of the caves. But God's plans did not give him rest, he dreamed of penetrating into their essence and possessing knowledge. Once in a dream a man came to him and called for him. The monk spent three days on the road with him, and each of them brought him ever greater disappointment in faith. On the first night, the monkās companion stole a golden cup from a peasantās house, donated by his neighbor in honor of reconciliation after a long quarrel. After the second night, he set fire to the poor manās shelter. And on the morning of the third day I asked one of the peasants, who gave them shelter, to be the guide, and threw him into a stormy river. He stopped all the indignation of the monk with a phrase about the plans of God.
At the end of the journey, the man revealed to the elder the true meaning of the things that happened during the trip. As it turned out, the golden cup was poisoned, and on the ashes of his house the beggar will find a rich treasure hidden by his ancestors, and will completely change his life. And the dead baby, at the instigation of his father, was to become a bloodthirsty robber and destroy several thousand innocent souls. After the death of the only son, the father will greatly grieve and become the most devout person in his village. He will be able to help with a lot of advice and deed and will die in old age.
After this story, the mysterious man disappeared, and the monk woke up. Since then, he has learned to trust the Lord without asking for an explanation.
Conclusion
Summing up everything written, I want to say that faith in God implies blind trust. Do not look for meaning in what is happening in your life. After all, even negative situations lead to a happy ending. Do not allow pride and do not try to decide your own fate. Remember - the ways of the Lord are inscrutable.