Human Resistance to God's Sovereignty in New Testament
Human resistance to God's sovereignty is a recurring theme throughout the biblical narrative, particularly evident in the New Testament's understanding of sin and rebellion. This resistance is characterized by a refusal to submit to divine authority and a rejection of God's appointed ways.
The concept of resistance to God's authority is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where various acts of rebellion are recorded. For instance, the Israelites "tempted and rebelled against the Most High God" by not keeping his testimonies [4]. This rebellion is seen in their unbelief, their rejection of his government, and their despising of his law and counsels [2]. Names like Jeroboam ("he that opposes the people") and Meribbaal ("he that resists Baal; rebellion") reflect this ancient understanding of opposition [3, 5]. Gomorrah is also described as a "rebellious people" [6].
In the New Testament, this resistance takes on specific forms, often centered on the rejection of Christ and his message. The author of Hebrews warns against "open rebellion against God’s laws," specifically identifying it as a rejection of Christ and his work [7]. This rejection is presented as a deliberate act of sin, akin to "sinning with a high hand" in the Old Testament [7]. If a person rejects Christ's sacrifice, which has superseded the old covenant's sacrificial system, there remains no other means for atonement [7]. The Israelites' refusal to trust God in the wilderness, despite witnessing his miracles, is cited as an example of their rebellion, demonstrating hearts that "always turned away from God" and lacked a desire to obey him [10]. This disobedience led to God's anger and their inability to enter his rest [10, 11].
The New Testament also connects resistance to God's sovereignty with resistance to human authorities established by God. Romans 13:2 states, "Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment" [1]. This passage implies that resisting legitimate governing authorities is, in essence, resisting God's own arrangement [1]. Similarly, the prophet Jeremiah warned the people to abide under Babylonian authority, as resisting it was considered resisting God [9].
The concept of resisting God is contrasted with the call to submit to God. James 4:7 exhorts believers to "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" [8]. This submission involves bowing to God's decisions and dispensations [8]. Resistance, in this context, is directed towards the devil, who "cannot conquer the man who continues to resist him" [8]. Faith, humble prayers, and heavenly wisdom are identified as weapons for resisting the devil's temptations [12].
Sources
- Romans “Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment. -- Romans 13:2”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Rebellion Against God — Forbidden -- Nu 14:9; Jos 22:19. Provokes God -- Nu 16:30; Ne 9:26. Provokes Christ -- Ex 23:20,21; 1Co 10:9. Vexes the Holy Spirit -- Isa 63:10. Exhibited in Unbelief. -- De 9:23; Ps 106:24,25. Rejecting his government. -- 1Sa 8:7; 15:23. Revolting from him. -- Isa 1:5; 31:6. Despising his law. -- Ne 9:26. Despising his counsels. -- Ps 107:11. Distrusting his power. -- Eze 17:15. Murmuring against him. -- Nu 20:3,10. Refusing to hearken to him. -- De 9:23; Eze 20:8; Zec 7:11. Departing from him. -- Isa 59:13. Rebellion against governors appoi”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Jeroboam — he that opposes the people”
- Psalms “Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God, and didn’t keep his testimonies; -- Psalms 78:56”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Meribbaal — he that resists Baal; rebellion”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Gomorrah — rebellious people”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 10:26: 10:26-31 The author interjects a strong warning concerning the danger of rejecting God’s Son and his authoritative word. The warning challenges hearers to respond with a commitment to follow Christ. 10:26-27 deliberately: Open rebellion against God’s laws was described as “sinning with a high hand” (see study note on Num 15:30-31). Here the author has in mind specifically a rejection of Christ and his work. Christ’s sacrifice for sins has done away with the sacrificial system of the old covenant (Heb 9:11–10:18). If a person rejects the Son’s sacrifice, there is”
- James (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on James 4:7: Submit - to God - Continue to bow to all his decisions, and to all his dispensations. Resist the devil - He cannot conquer you if you continue to resist. Strong as he is, God never permits him to conquer the man who continues to resist him; he cannot force the human will. He who, in the terrible name of Jesus, opposes even the devil himself, is sure to have a speedy and glorious conquest. He flees from that name, and from his conquering blood.”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 42:10: If ye . . . abide--namely, under the Babylonian authority, to which God hath appointed that all should be subject (Dan 2:37-38). To resist was to resist God. build . . . plant--metaphor for, I will firmly establish you (Jer 24:6). I repent . . . of the evil-- (Jer 18:8; Deu 32:36). I am satisfied with the punishment I have inflicted on you, if only you add not a new offense [GROTIUS]. God is said to "repent," when He alters His outward ways of dealing.”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 3:9: 3:9-10 Despite seeing the miracles God had performed on their behalf, the people of Israel tested God’s patience by refusing to trust him in the wilderness (Num 14:11, 22). The essence of their rebellion was that their hearts always turned away from God—they did not desire to obey him. The result was that God was angry with them.”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 3:16: 3:16-19 These verses contain a rapid-fire series of questions and answers, a common rhetorical technique. The three questions follow the progression of ideas found in Ps 95:8-11: The people of Israel rebelled against God, God was angry, and God took an oath that they would never enter his rest. The answers are taken from other Old Testament passages that focus on the Israelites’ rebellion in the wilderness (Num 14; Deut 9; Ps 106). The author drives home the terrible cost of disobedience to God.”
- James (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on James 4:7: Submit to . . . God--so ye shall be among "the humble," Jam 4:6; also Jam 4:10; Pe1 5:6. Resist . . . devil--Under his banner pride and envy are enlisted in the world; resist his temptations to these. Faith, humble prayers, and heavenly wisdom, are the weapons of resistance. The language is taken from warfare. "Submit" as a good soldier puts himself in complete subjection to his captain. "Resist," stand bravely against. he will flee--Translate, "he shall flee." For it is a promise of God, not a mere assurance from man to man [ALFORD]. He shall flee w”