Studies in the Sovereignty Of God Volume 1 Number 1
Studies in the Sovereignty of God Volume 1 Number 1
In this study, numerous Scriptures will be looked at that prove that God is sovereign.
The Sovereignty of God teaches that all things are under His absolute rule and control. Without fear of contradiction, it can be said, God works all things according to the counsel of His own will. His plans and purpose are never frustrated. The Sovereignty of God may be defined as the exercising of His absolute control and the outworking of both His revealed and hidden will. God’s sovereignty means that He is the ultimate Ruler who governs all the affairs of the universe both great and small.
The subject of God’s Sovereignty is a doctrine that should humble all men. No doctrine of Scripture exalts or glorifies the LORD as does the teaching of His Sovereignty.
Under various headings, it will be seen that Scriptures establish God’s Sovereignty. His Sovereignty extends to every conceivable area of life and governance of the universe. The format of this study, first a Scripture will be listed followed by a commentary entry both contemporary and classical.
The Sovereign Will of God:
The Divine Sovereign Will of God over His creation. One can see in the following passages God’s sovereignty in the preservation of His creation.
“Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth; in the seas, and all deep places.” (Psalms 135:6)
- “6) Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. His will is carried out throughout all space. The king’s warrant runs in every portion of the universe. The heathen divided the great domain; but Jupiter does not rule in heaven, nor Neptune on the sea, nor Pluto in the lower regions; Jehovah rules over all. His decree is not defeated, his purpose is not frustrated: in no one point is his good pleasure set aside. The word “whatsoever” is of the widest range and includes all things, and the four words of place which are mentioned comprehend all space; therefore the declaration of the text knows neither limit nor exception. Jehovah works his will: he pleases to do, and he performs the deed. None can stay his hand. How different this from the gods whom the heathen fabled to be subject to all the disappointments, failures, and passions of men! How contrary even to those so called Christian conceptions of God which subordinate him to the will of man, and make his eternal purposes the football of human caprice. Our theology teaches us no such degrading notions of the Eternal as that he can be baffled by man. “His purpose shall stand, and he will do all his pleasure.” No region is too high, no abyss too deep, no land too distant, no sea too wide for his omnipotence: his divine pleasure travels post over all the realm of nature, and his behests are obeyed.” (1) Charles Haddon Spurgeon, The Treasury of David Volume 2, (Nashville, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1984), p. 193.
“O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in my hand, O house of Israel.” (Jeremiah. 18:6)
- “6) Refuting the Jews’ reliance on their external privileges as God’s elect people, as if God could never cast them off. But if the potter, a mere creature, has power to throw away a marred vessel and raise up other clay from the ground, a fortiori God, the Creator, can cast away the people who prove unfaithful to His election and can raise others in their stead (compare Isa 45:9; 64:8; Ro 9:20, 21). It is curious that the potter’s field should have been the purchase made with the price of Judas’ treachery (Mt 27:9, 10: a potter’s vessel dashed to pieces, compare Ps 2:8, 9; Re 2:27), because of its failing to answer the maker’s design, being the very image to depict God’s sovereign power to give reprobates to destruction, not by caprice, but in the exercise of His righteous judgment. Matthew quotes Zechariah’s words (Zec 11:12, 13) as Jeremiah’s because the latter (Jer 18:1-19:15) was the source from which the former derived his summary in Zec 11:12, 13 [Hengstenberg].” (2) Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, Commentary on the Whole Bible, (Grand Rapids, Michigan, Zondervan, 1977) p. 618.
“John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” (John 3:27)
“Well, saith John, I see a man can receive (that is, perceive) nothing, except it be given him from heaven. The labour of ministers if all lost labour, unless the grace of God make it effectual. Men do not understand that which is made most plain, nor believe that which is made most evident, unless it be given them from heaven to understand and believe it.” (3) Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible, (Hendrickson Publishers, Inc, Fourth printing 1985) p. 1932.
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)
“All the praises, homages, and acknowledgments of all the creatures is thy due; as thou art he who gavest the first being to all creatures, and therefore gavest it them, that they might praise, honour, serve and obey thee.” (4) Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible, (Hendrickson Publishers, Inc, Fourth printing 1985), p. 1932.
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