Proverbs 16:4

Pro. 16:4. The wise man, in the expression, "hath made all things," has not respect merely to the works of creation, but also to the works of Providence: making and creating is commonly understood in this large sense in Scripture for bringing to pass; yea, bringing to pass, though not by an immediate effecting, but only by permitting, ordering, and disposing, is called 'making' in Scripture. The making the wicked, here mentioned, is a work of Providence. God makes men wicked in the same sense as He is said, in Romans 9:22, "to make them vessels of wrath," to "harden them," and "fit them to destruction" - viz. by so disposing and ordering things in His providence, that they, in consequence of His disposals, especially in His permission, or withholding restraints, do continue in wickedness or are hardened in it. They are distinguished from others in being impenitently and obstinately wicked, and are suffered to multiply wickedness and heap up wrath; and God's end in it is to glorify Himself in the day of their evil or ruin. God makes wicked men in no other sense that He creates darkness, which is not by any positive efficiency, but only ordering, withholding light; for darkness is only a negative, Isaiah 45:7. These things that are here said to be formed, made and created, are all works of Providence; and some of them brought to pass by no positive efficiency, because negative only. Works of Providence are said to be created (Numbers 16:30; Isaiah 57:19; Isaiah 41:20; Isaiah 45:8; Isaiah 48:7; Isaiah 54:16, and Jeremiah 31:22), so that it does not appear that this Scripture will justify such an expression as that God made some men to damn them. It is most probable that the wise man, by "making the wicked," has respect to something that God doth respecting the wicked or reprobates, that is distinguishing and peculiar to them. God's distinguishing dealing towards mankind might be expressed thus - that God maketh both the righteous and the wicked in the same sense - i.e., whom He will He has mercy on and makes righteous, and whom He will He hardens and leaves to wickedness. But if the wise man had respect only to the bringing men into being, having guilt and corruption, this is common to all. All, in this sense, are made wicked alike. It is probable that by making the wicked, here is intended the same as is expressed in Romans 11:7-10; 2 Thessalonians 2:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:12; Psalms 81:12; Isaiah 6:9; Isaiah 6:10, which is a judicial proceeding and a punishment of sin, though it be a mere sovereign proceeding in God that He distinguishes some by not executing this punishment upon them.

Pro. 25:25