TIME & CHANCE IN 2025.

 

Proverb 24:3-5

Through wisdom a house is built,

And by understanding it is established;

By knowledge the rooms are filled

With all precious and pleasant riches.

A wise man is strong,

Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; 

 

Ecclesiastic 9:11 

I returned and saw under the sun that—

The race is not to the swift,

Nor the battle to the strong,

Nor bread to the wise,

Nor riches to men of understanding,

Nor favor to men of skill;

But time and chance happen to them all.

 

Time & chance 

The Hebrew word 'eth (עֵת) means "time" or "season," implying appointed moments. Pega (פֶּגַע) and qarah (קָרָא), meaning "chance happening," together suggest that what may seem like random events are actually divinely orchestrated. 

 

It’s unfortunate that the word “chance” is used in the English translation. When you read “time and chance happen to them all,” it gives the impression of random happenings, occurrences that happen as if by “luck.” But if you study the root of the word pega in the Scriptures, you’ll see it is from the word paga, which actually means to make intercession or pray.

 

When you have eth and pega qarah combined here, it speaks of right-time, right-place happenings, or of being at the right place at the right time, doing the right thing as a result of prayer.

 

SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES 

Roman 9:16-18

So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.

 

Psalms 75:7

But God is the Judge:

He puts down one,

And exalts another.

 

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

 

SOME KEY DETERMINANTS.

 

1. RACE FOR SWIFT - SPEED

The race is not to the swift,

• Speed in this case refers to responding to the Lord’s instructions.

• Speed and urgency to fulfill the Lord instructions. Having an eternal urgency.

 

2 Corinthians 6:9

For He says:

“In an acceptable time I have heard you,

And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

 

1 Kings 19:19-20

Elisha Follows Elijah

So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.”

And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?”

 

Mathew 4:18-20

Four Fishermen Called as Disciples

(Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:1–11)

And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

 

Luke 1:38

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

 

 

2. BATTLE FOR STRONG - STRENGTH.

Nor the battle to the strong,

 

Psalms 18:39

For You have armed me with strength for the battle;

You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.

 

Psalms 92:10

But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox;

I have been anointed with fresh oil.

 

Isaiah 40:30

Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

And the young men shall utterly fall,

But those who wait on the LORD

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

 

Jeremiah 12:5

“If racing against mere men makes you tired,

how will you race against horses?

If you stumble and fall on open ground,

what will you do in the thickets near the Jordan?

 

Proverbs 24:10

If you faint in the day of adversity,

Your strength is small.

 

4. BREAD TO THE WISE- WISDOM.

Nor bread to the wise,

Proverbs 4:7-8

 

Wisdom is the principal thing;

Therefore get wisdom.

And in all your getting, get understanding.

Exalt her, and she will promote you;

She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.

 

Proverbs 24:3

Through wisdom a house is built,

And by understanding it is established;

 

Proverbs 16:16

How much better to get wisdom than gold!

And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

 

Proverbs 19:21

How much better to get wisdom than gold!

And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

 

5. RICHES TO MEN OF UNDERSTANDING-  UNDERSTANDING.

Nor riches to men of understanding,

 

Proverbs 24:3

Through wisdom a house is built,

And by understanding it is established;

 

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

 

Mark 12:33

And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

 

Psalms 119:34

Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;

Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

 

7. FAVOUR TO MEN OF SKILL. 

Nor favor to men of skill;

 

Proverbs 22:29

Do you see a man who excels in his work?

He will stand before kings;

He will not stand before unknown men.

 

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

 

Exodus 36:1