The phrase "The ways of the Lord are inscrutable": what does this mean, the history of origin

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 mundane life, turn to the Holy Scripture to find comfort and hope in it. Quite often, the phrase "The ways of the Lord are inscrutable" comes across to the suffering. 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 wonder about what "Inscrutable ways of the Lord" are.

The Bible is the source of wisdom

Preachers say that the Lord himself directs the person at the right moment to the Bible and opens before him that very page, the lines from which will be poured on the wounded soul. Therefore, do not think, after finding in the Holy Scripture the phrase "The ways of the Lord are inscrutable," what does it mean. Be sure - it is directly related to your life and the events taking place in it. Otherwise, why would this expression have caught your eye?

Not every philistine correctly understands what the phrase "God's ways are inscrutable" means. Even fewer people know where it came from. Let's clarify this difficult question.

Where did the expression "The ways of the Lord come from?" Are inscrutable?

This phrase is used by both clergymen and ordinary lay people. Most often it is used as a comforting word in sermons and in personal conversation. Few people think about 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 in the epistle of the apostle Paul to the Romans, you will find the following text: "O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God, how incomprehensible are His judgments and unsearchable His ways!" 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 formulation 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 priests had to choose more understandable and close-sounding substitute words. Not surprisingly, the biblical expression has undergone some changes and now sounds different than in the original source.

What does the expression "Inscrutable ways of the Lord" mean?

It is difficult to interpret biblical wisdom, because preachers believe that it is necessary to perceive it with the heart and soul. But we will still try to understand the true meaning of the expression.

If you carefully read the original source, that is, the New Testament, it will be understood that the apostle Paul admires the plans of the Lord. He does not offer to follow His plans, but admits that they are difficult to understand for an ordinary person. And do not even try to understand what way God will lead you. In addition, many Christian preachers warn people against trying to look into God's plans. Otherwise, the pride of a person can be punished, and therefore they teach the person with phrases about the unsearchability of God's craft.

In modern Russian, the word "unsearchable" has long been replaced by "inscrutable." It is much clearer in terms of sounding, and the meaning of the phrase remains the same - a person should trust God and everything that happens in his life is perceived with gratitude and humility. It is the humble Lord, according to the Scriptures, who reveals his plans, but not always.

If it is still difficult for you to understand what the expression "God's ways are inscrutable" means, draw a parallel with the equally famous folk proverb "Everything that is done is for the best." Both of these expressions indicate that everything in a person's life follows the planned plan of God and his will simply needs to be trusted.

In what sense is a common biblical phrase used?

We already understand where the phrase "The ways of the Lord are inscrutable" came from among the "people." What does this mean in the modern world? How different is the understanding of the expression by today's people from the Orthodox believers of past centuries? Clergymen believe that the difference is significant.

Previously, people more easily trusted God's plans and obeyed all the changes in their lives. Believers were convinced that from above they had their own way, and it only leads to the salvation of the soul. There was almost no desire to argue with God and His plans. There are cases when the most severe trials, fallen to the share of a person, passed with dignity, prayer and gratitude, led a person to a new level of life. And then people said that fortunately the man was brought by God, or said that the ways of the Lord are inscrutable. What this means, no one even thought about, so strong was the belief in God's plans.

Of course, few people now boast such a strong faith. No wonder so many misfortunes and misfortunes occur in people's lives. According to the priests - until a person gives his life into the hands of God and passes all the milestones of the path, he will be subjected to trials. 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 reverential awe before the plans of God, only the recognition of his weakness and defenselessness before the higher powers.

"The ways of the Lord are inscrutable" - the basic phrase of Christianity

Many theologians, who pay great attention to the study of the Bible, believe that there is a list of phrases that most accurately characterize the meaning of Christianity. What does the phrase "God's ways are inscrutable" in this sense mean?

All is more than simple, but simultaneously surprisingly difficult for understanding independent and self-confident inhabitants of 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, the present and the future. He knows how to avoid dangers and temptations or on what path to go. Therefore, many parables explain how it is necessary to pass the tests in order to find happiness. They are capable of conveying allegorically the importance of accepting the will of the Lord.

The Parable of the Elder and the Angel

On the subject of our article, there are many legends, but one parable very colorfully characterizes how little we see and understand in what is happening around us. According to this parable, the wise old man could not understand the injustices of our world and constantly appealed to the Most High with questions and lamentations. One day he found an angel beside him, who ordered the old man to climb a tree and observe for three days what would happen below. The sage listened and on the first day saw how the rich rider had lost his sack of gold. On the second day, a farmer found the gold, crouched under a tree. On the third day a beggar came to the tree and eagerly began to eat food, forgotten by a happy peasant. But the horseman returned to his trouble and killed the beggar, believing that he had stolen a lost sack of money. After these events, the old man tears from the tree in tears and deep indignation. He was ready to renounce the faith, seeing such an injustice, but the angel stopped him and explained the essence of what was happening. He said that a rich rider is a cruel tax collector who is ruining the people. And he killed the former robber, who prayed for death to redeem his past sins. After this murder, the tax collector will repent of the deed and turn to God. And the farmer was practically ruined by exorbitant taxes, and a bag of gold saved his whole family from imminent death.

"The ways of the Lord are inscrutable" -that this means, we think, will become even clearer after reading the next parable.

Dream of a monk-hermit

In one of the caves for many years righteous and in prayers lived a monk-hermit. But God's plans did not give him rest, he dreamed of penetrating into their essence and possessing knowledge. One day a man came to him in a dream and called for him. The monk spent three days with him on the road, and each of them brought him an increasingly disappointed faith. On the first night, the monk's companion abducted from the peasant's house a golden cup given by a neighbor in honor of reconciliation after a long quarrel. After the second night, he set fire to the hut of the poor man who sheltered them. And on the morning of the third day I asked one of the peasants who gave them shelter to guide the son, and threw him into a stormy river. All the indignation of the monk he suppressed by the 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 journey. 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 deceased kid, at the instigation of his father, was to become a bloodthirsty bandit and destroy several thousand innocent souls. After the death of the only son, the father will greatly mourn and become the most devout person in his village. He will be able to help with many advices and deeds 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

Summarizing all 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 or try to decide for yourself your own destiny. Remember - the ways of the Lord are inscrutable.