We continue our series on family life through the lenses of Mishlei and the wisdom of Shlomo HaMelech alav hashalom (peace be upon him). Today we will be discussing a Pasuk (verse) in Perek (chapter) Yud Tet (nineteen), Pasuk Chaf Alef (twenty-one). Shlomo HaMelech says, “Rabot machashavot b'lev ish, va'atzat Adonai hi takum,” which means, “Rabot machashavot b'lev ish”—many thoughts are in a man's heart. A man has many ideas, many plans, and many thoughts. “Va'atzat Adonai hi takum”—but in the end of it all, it is the decree and the will of Hashem that will prevail, that will come about.
Shlomo HaMelech here is telling us that man often plans. Man has many ideas and many thoughts about what he wants to accomplish and what he wants to do in life. But, says Shlomo HaMelech, in the end of it all, ultimately, it is only with Hashem's approval that these dreams will come to fruition, and without the will of Hashem, without Hashem's approval, there is nothing a person could accomplish in this world.
This is the simple understanding of the Pasuk, the way the commentaries explain it. However, I'd now like to share with you a different twist on how to learn this Pasuk, with a very powerful message as well. The Pasuk here is telling us the following: “Rabot machashavot b'lev ish, Rabot machashavot b'lev ish.” There are times in life when a person has dreams that he wants to accomplish, whether it's a project that he has, growing in his closeness to Hashem, building or creating something, creating a business, or whatever it may be. He does something on his mind that he feels he wants to accomplish.
But what happens is, Rabot machashavot: there are many thoughts that come to his mind that discourage and scare him, and they start to haunt him, telling him, “What are you talking about? How could you accomplish that? It's not something that you could do. It is way above you. It is way greater than you.” Thoughts of discouragement. Thoughts that seem to tell him that he will never succeed in his project. He will never accomplish what he wants to accomplish.
Shlomo HaMelech says, what is the way to guide that person? What does Hashem want that person to do? What is the godly counsel for that person? Shlomo HaMelech says, this guy, who has Rabot machashavot b'lev ish, many thoughts, many discouraging thoughts, va'atzat Hashem—you know what the eitzah of Hashem is? You know what Borei Olam (God) will guide you and counsel you? You know what Hashem will tell you to do? “Va'atzat Hashem.” You know what the eitzah of Hashem is? “hi”—it is—“takum.” Get up and do it. Don't think too much. Just get up and try to fulfill your dreams. Get up and get it started. Start doing what you feel you want to do. Start working on what you feel you want to accomplish. Start bringing to life what you are dreaming about. That is the atzat Hashem, that is the guidance and the advice of God.
When you have a dream that you want to fulfill, when you have a project that you feel you want to accomplish, whatever it may be, yes, there will be Rabot machashavot b'lev ish. Many thoughts will cross your mind: thoughts that break your spirit, thoughts that discourage you, thoughts that tell you that you will fail and will not succeed, thoughts that make it very challenging, thoughts that maybe will tell you it is too difficult, you can't accomplish it, many have tried, no one was able to do it, you can't do it.
Shlomo HaMelech says, what's the eitzah for this person? “Va'atzat Hashem hi.” You know what God will tell that person? One word: “takum.” Stop thinking and start doing. Get up. Do what you got to do. Start building. Begin your project. Bring your dream to life. Start it off and you will succeed.
And this is a tremendous lesson that Shlomo HaMelech here is teaching us: there are many times when a person has dreams of making it big, dreams of wanting to accomplish in life. And the Yetzer Hara (evil inclination) will constantly come and try to convince this person who has wild dreams, who has great, great dreams to accomplish in life. The Yetzer Hara will come and tell you, “You cannot do it. It is not for you. It is way above you.” These thoughts start irking that person. They put a fear within him, and he feels discouraged and no longer wants to go about.
Shlomo HaMelech says, “Va'atzat Hashem hi.” You know what the eitzah of Hashem is? You know what Borei Olam would counsel you? You know what Borei Olam would advise you? “Takum.” Get up and do it. Don't think too much. As long as you have the right ideas, the right goal, the right mission, and good dreams, Borei Olam will help you accomplish it. Get up. Begin doing what you got to do. Fulfill your dreams.
And Shlomo HaMelech says, eventually you will succeed. All you have to do is “takum.” Get up and start working. Have a wonderful day.