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NASB | Ecclesiastes 6:10 ¶ Whatever exists has already been named, and it is known what man is; for he cannot dispute with him who is stronger than he is. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ecclesiastes 6:10 ¶ Whatever exists has already been named [long ago], and it is known what [a frail being] man is; for he cannot dispute with Him who is mightier than he. |
Bible Question: There are some people who believe that we have free will, choice, and the ability to make our own decisions. Some even say that God changes His mind, so we must have choice.(ex: Sodom and Gomorrah) But when you read this verse from Ecclesiastes 6:10,"Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there's no use arguing with God about your destiny," it disproves this theory. So why are people still arguing about it? Or am I missing something? |
Bible Answer: Dear Samantha, You have asked some very significant questions. There are answers, but they are not simple. Probably the best answers and most biblically sound were by Jonathan Edwards. However, he can be pretty deep. If you'd like to tackle it, however, you'll find "On the Freedom of the Human Will" at http://www.ccel.org/e/edwards/will/home.html You are right that God does not "change His mind." I have posted previously on the forum the following: Before God began creating He formed a "plan" (Jeremiah 49:20, 50:45). The Bible calls this His "eternal purpose" (Isaiah 46:10-11, Acts 4:28, Romans 8:28, 9:11, 2 Timothy 1:9, Ephesians 3:11). This divine plan for the universe is not a wish or even a command. It is His decree. God does nothing outside of His plan (Ephesians 1:11, Psalms 33:11). Can God change His mind concerning His eternal plan? The answer to that is a simple, but emphatic "No." His purpose will stand forever, because God never changes (1 Samuel 15:29, Jeremiah 4:28, 23:20). It follows that His purpose will come to pass exactly as He planned. Can Man or Angel or Demon keep Him from accomplishing His eternal purpose? Again, the answer is "No" (Psalms 33:11, 148:3, Proverbs 19:21, Job 41:11, Isaiah 14:27, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:17). No, because the actions of Man, Angel, and Demon are included in that purpose. God did not consult with men on any of this, not even by foreseeing what he would do or say. He consulted only with Himself within the Trinity (Isaiah 40:13-14, Romans 11:34, Ephesians 1:11). Thus, it is obvious that there is no such thing as fate, chance, accident, luck or coincidence. God has even determined in advance the flipping of a coin (Proverbs 16:33, Jonah 1:7, Acts 1:24-26). In Him, Doc |