Purpose (part 1)

At my last women's bible study, we talked about intention and purpose. What it means in our lives, and what the bible says about intention and purpose.  We left off with our homework to look into the word purpose. We went over how to look up words and scripture via a concordance so we could dig deeply into the meaning of the words. S0 on that note, I am going to jump right into a bible study with the word Purpose.

Let's look at the dictionary definition of Purpose:

Noun 

1  a: something set up as an object or end to be attained: INTENTION

    b: RESOLUTION, DETERMINATION

2 : a subject under discussion or an action in course of execution purpose

Verb
(purposed; purposing)

   : to propose as an aim to oneself

Phrases
(on purpose)

   : by intent: INTENTIONALLY

Now let's look at the theology definition:

The Old Testament. The verbal root of the Hebrew word for purpose means to give counsel, deliberate, purpose, or determine. In five passages where the noun appears, four refer to God's purpose, and one to the purpose of a person's heart. 

(Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology)

Proverbs 19:21; 20:5

"There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand." "Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out."

Isaiah 46:10-11 (verse 9 for context)

"Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,"

"Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it."

Jeremiah 32:19

"Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:"

Psalm 33:11

"The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations."

Next week we will take a closer look at these verses and some other verses with the word Purpose in the verse. 

**Here are some links for reference:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purpose

https://www.biblestudytools.com/

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/