Phrases #5: "God works in mysterious ways..." in the Bible?

[GoldenEagle]

Why do we think these phrases are passages in the Bible? One reason is people haven’t read or don’t actually know what is in the Bible. Another reason is sometimes we use what we perceive as Biblical truth to reinforce our own pre-existing beliefs or what has been taught to us. Yet some of these phrases do at times reflect Biblical truth or concepts. Sometimes, however the phrases are a result of folk wisdom or cultural use of the terms.

 

 

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#5. Is the saying "God works in mysterious ways..." in the Bible?

[missmuffet]

I am going to say no.

[nebula]

The answer is no.

[GoldenEagle]

Is the saying "God works in mysterious ways..." in the Bible?

 

This phrase isn't in the Bible. The closest passage in similarity is found in one translation - the New Living Translation in Isaiah 45:14...

Is. 45:15 (New Living Translation)

Truly, O God of Israel, our Savior, You work in mysterious ways.

 

The saying can more closely be linked as a paraphrase of a 19th century hymn on Isaiah 55:8-9 by the English poet William Cowper that said: "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform."

 

Of interesting note that most often when the NT meantions the term "mystery" it's in reference to something that was previously unknown being explained or revealed. (See Mark 4 below. All passages are NKJV.)

 

 

Eccl. 1:5

As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.

Mark 4:11-12

And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that 'Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And their sins be forgiven them.'

Rom. 11:33

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

1 Cor. 2:7

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,

Eph. 3:9

And to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;

Col. 2:2-3

That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

 

 

God's revelations of truth of His mysteries are found in Scripture given to the Church, through the Holy Spirit, and ultimately in our Savior Jesus Christ.

 

God bless,

GE