Scriptural Examples of God's Sovereignty Over Evil Events
Scriptural Examples of God's Sovereignty Over Evil Events
The biblical narrative is replete with instances where God exercises sovereignty over evil events, demonstrating His power and control over the actions of humans and the forces of nature. One of the earliest examples is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, where God, in His wrath against their sins, overthrew these nations [1]. This event showcases God's sovereignty in judgment, highlighting His ability to intervene directly in human affairs.
The prophets frequently reference God's control over natural disasters and the actions of nations. Isaiah describes God as having a "mighty and strong one" who will cast down enemies "like a storm of hail, a destroying storm, and like a storm of mighty waters overflowing" [2]. This imagery underscores God's power over both natural forces and human adversaries.
The Psalms also affirm God's sovereignty over evil events. Psalm 60:12 declares, "In God we do mightily, And He treadeth down our adversaries!" [5]. This confidence in God's power is echoed in other Psalms, which describe God as the one who "heals" and "sends" sickness as part of His sovereign control [4].
The theme of God's sovereignty is not limited to the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul writes about God's sovereignty in Romans 9:20-21, where he discusses God's control over the destinies of individuals and nations. This passage is often cited in discussions about the nature of God's sovereignty and human responsibility [3].
The biblical account of Job's suffering provides another example of God's sovereignty over evil events. Satan is permitted to inflict suffering upon Job, but only within the boundaries set by God (Job 2:6-7) [4]. This narrative illustrates that even when evil is involved, God remains sovereign, using such events for His purposes.
The prophets often recall God's actions against the seas and rivers during the Exodus as demonstrations of His sovereignty. For example, Nahum 1:4 references God's control over the oceans and rivers, repudiating the mythology of the ancient Canaanites who believed these were under the control of other gods [8, 9]. This theme is repeated in various Psalms, emphasizing God's power over creation and His ability to use natural forces to achieve His ends [7, 10].
The righteous acknowledge God's sovereignty and speak of the "might of thy terrible acts" [6]. This recognition is not limited to acts of judgment but also includes God's deliverance and salvation. The Psalmist praises God for His power and goodness, illustrating these through His control over nature and nations [7].
The biblical doctrine of God's sovereignty over evil events is thus multifaceted, encompassing His control over natural disasters, the actions of nations, and the suffering of individuals. It underscores the belief that nothing happens outside of God's sovereign will, even when events appear evil or chaotic.
The understanding of God's sovereignty has been a subject of theological reflection throughout history. Various traditions have interpreted and articulated this doctrine in different ways, but the core affirmation remains that God is sovereign over all events, including those that are evil or harmful.
Sources
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 11, section 1: . How God Overthrew The Nation Of The Sodomites, Out Of His Wrath Against Them For Their Sins.”
- Isaiah “Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one. Like a storm of hail, a destroying storm, and like a storm of mighty waters overflowing, he will cast them down to the earth with his hand. -- Isaiah 28:2”
- 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:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sickness — Sent by God -- De 28:59-61; 32:39; 2Sa 12:15; Ac 12:23. The devil sometimes permitted to inflict -- Job 2:6,7; Lu 9:39; 13:16. Often brought on by intemperance -- Ho 7:5. Often sent as a punishment of sin -- Le 26:14-16; 2Ch 21:12-15; 1Co 11:30. One of God's four sore judgments on a guilty land -- Eze 14:19-21. God Promises to heal. -- Ex 23:25; 2Ki 20:5. Heals. -- De 32:39; Ps 103:3; Isa 38:5,9. Exhibits his mercy in healing. -- Php 2:27. Exhibits his power in healing. -- Lu 5:17. Exhibits his love in healing. -- Isa 38:17. Often manifests saving grace to”
- Psalms “Psalms 60:12 (YLT) — In God we do mightily, And He treadeth down our adversaries!”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 145:6: And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts,.... The terrible things of Christ, which his right hand has taught him, and his mighty power has performed; such as the destruction of a disobedient and ungodly world by a flood, to whom he preached by his Spirit in the days of Noah; the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah by raining on them fire and brimstone from the Lord out of heaven; and the dreadful things he did in Egypt and at the Red sea by the hands of Moses; these, men or saints of the former dispensation, in, before, and after the times of David, could spea”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 65:6: God's great power and goodness are the grounds of this confidence. These are illustrated in His control of the mightiest agencies of nature and nations affecting men with awe and dread (Psa 26:7; Psa 98:1, &c.), and in His fertilizing showers, causing the earth to produce abundantly for man and beast.”
- Nahum (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Nahum 1:4: 1:4 Like clouds (1:3) and mountains (1:5), oceans and rivers are under God’s sovereign control. The Old Testament prophets often recall God’s actions against the seas and rivers during the Exodus (Exod 15:8-10; 2 Sam 22:16; Pss 66:6; 77:16; Hab 3:15). God’s power over the waters repudiated the mythology of the ancient Canaanites, who believed that the oceans and the rivers were under the control of the sea-god, Yam. • Bashan, situated east of the Sea of Galilee, was known for its rich pastureland, ideal for raising cattle (cp. Mic 7:14). • Carmel, on the Mediterrane”
- Nah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Nah 1:4: 1:4 Like clouds (1:3) and mountains (1:5), oceans and rivers are under God’s sovereign control. The Old Testament prophets often recall God’s actions against the seas and rivers during the Exodus (Exod 15:8-10; 2 Sam 22:16; Pss 66:6; 77:16; Hab 3:15). God’s power over the waters repudiated the mythology of the ancient Canaanites, who believed that the oceans and the rivers were under the control of the sea-god, Yam. • Bashan, situated east of the Sea of Galilee, was known for its rich pastureland, ideal for raising cattle (cp. Mic 7:14). • Carmel, on the Mediterranean”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 147:8: 147:8 God holds sovereign power over the weather (77:17-18; 78:26; 104:4; 148:5-6).”