Examples of God's Sovereignty in Ordinary People's Lives OT
God's Sovereignty in the Lives of Ordinary People in the Old Testament
The Old Testament frequently illustrates God's sovereignty over the lives of ordinary people, demonstrating His power and authority in various aspects of their experiences. One key aspect is God's reign over the nations, as Psalms 47:8 states, "God reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne" [2]. This sovereignty is not limited to grand events but is also evident in the daily lives and circumstances of individuals.
God's sovereignty is often associated with His joy and delight in His people. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, God's joy over His people is described in Zephaniah 3:17, and is linked to their repentance, faith, fear, and hope in His mercy [3]. This joy leads to various blessings, including prosperity, deliverance, comfort, and the giving of inheritance.
The lives of biblical figures, such as Job, exemplify God's sovereignty in the face of adversity. Job's experiences of loss, including the loss of goods and children, demonstrate his submission to God's sovereignty (Job 1:15, 16, 18, 19, 21) [4]. This submission is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, with Psalms 37:7 advising, "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him" [4].
The Psalms also highlight God's sovereignty in the lives of the faithful. Psalms 66:5 invites readers to "come and see God's deeds—awesome work on behalf of the children of men" [1]. Furthermore, Psalms 107:38 and 107:41 illustrate God's blessing on the families of the poor and the abundance of their herds as evidence of His sovereignty [6, 7].
In the view of some interpreters, the perpetuity of God's rule over human affairs provides a ground for hope, even in times of oppression (Lamentations 5:19) [5]. This understanding is reinforced by the depiction of God's sovereignty over nature, as seen in Psalms 18:9-11 and 104:2-4 [8].
The Old Testament thus presents a multifaceted picture of God's sovereignty, encompassing both the grand and the mundane aspects of human experience. This sovereignty is a source of comfort, hope, and trust for those who acknowledge God's authority over all aspects of their lives.
Sources
- Psalms “Come, and see God’s deeds— awesome work on behalf of the children of men. -- Psalms 66:5”
- Psalms “God reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne. -- Psalms 47:8”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Joy of God Over His People, The — Greatness of, described -- Zep 3:17. On account of their Repentance. -- Lu 15:7,10. Faith. -- Heb 11:5,6. Fear of him. -- Ps 147:11. Praying to him. -- Pr 15:8. Hope in his mercy. -- Ps 147:11. Meekness. -- Ps 149:4. Uprightness. -- 1Ch 29:17; Pr 11:20. Leads to him Prosper them. -- De 30:9. Do them good. -- De 28:63; Jer 32:41. Deliver them. -- 2Sa 22:20. Comfort them. -- Isa 65:19. Give them the inheritance. -- Nu 14:8. Illustrated -- Isa 62:5; Lu 15:23,24. Exemplified Solomon. -- 1Ki 10:9.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
- Lamentations (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Lamentations 5:19: (Psa 102:12). The perpetuity of God's rule over human affairs, however He may seem to let His people be oppressed for a time, is their ground of hope of restoration.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 107:38: 107:38 God’s presence can be seen in the abundance of his people’s families and herds (127:3; 133:3; cp. 109:8).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 107:41: 107:41 The large families of the poor are evidence of God’s blessing.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 18:9: 18:9-11 The Lord’s sovereignty extends over all of nature (see 104:2-4; 148:5-6).”