Can you please explain Proverbs 16:4?
Let’s start by reading Proverbs 16:4. That says, “The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.” This verse might be easier to understand if we read it from the NASB. That says, “The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.” Every act has its own consequence, just as there is reward or judgment for each person. This verse reflects the truth that the wicked will bring glory to the Lord in the day of their judgment.
Let’s compare that with Romans 9:17-21, “For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”
Pharaoh was a very wicked man. We read in Exodus 5:2, “And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.” Yet, because of the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart, the Lord showed His power, and His name was declared throughout Egypt.
Because of the evil in his heart, the Lord promoted Pilate to power so that he might (unknowingly) do the will of God in sending the Lord Jesus to the cross to be crucified. Let’s read John 19:10-11, “Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.” Pilate’s power came from God to carry out God’s will. The Lord’s name will be glorified in the judgment of Pilate when He justly punishes him for his evil deeds.
Ecclesiastes 7:29 tells us, “Lo, this only have I found, that GOD HATH MADE MAN UPRIGHT; but they have sought out many inventions.” God does not make the wicked man wicked or the ungodly man ungodly, but when a person has made himself wicked and ungodly, our gracious God will bear with him. But if he does not repent and turn to the Lord, he shall fall under the wrath of God. We read in Ezekiel 33:20, “…I will judge you every one after his ways.” In judging the wicked, the Lord’s righteousness is manifested, and He is glorified. (Read Romans 9:22-23.)
We see the truth of God’s righteous judgment in Romans 2:5-11, “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.” (CC) (543.6)