The Sovereignty of God's Redemptive Plan in Scripture
The sovereignty of God's redemptive plan is a central theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing God's ultimate control and purpose in saving His people. Redemption itself signifies the purchase back of something lost through the payment of a ransom [5]. Biblical names like Iphedeiah, Geuel, and Pedaiah, meaning "redemption of the Lord" or "God's redemption," reflect this concept [1, 2, 3].
God's redemptive power is evident in His actions, from creation to salvation [8]. The Psalms declare that God has "sent redemption to his people" and "ordained his covenant forever" [7]. This redemption is not merely a human endeavor but is orchestrated by God's power [8]. The story of redemption is intrinsically linked to the Lord's faithfulness [9].
The scope of God's redemptive plan is comprehensive. It involves deliverance from the captivity of sin, Satan, and the law, freeing individuals from the damning power of sin [12]. John Gill notes that "Zion shall be redeemed with judgment," indicating that redemption by Christ is the foundation for other blessings like justification, pardon, and conversion [10]. This salvation is described as "the salvation of the Lord," conceived and executed by Him [13].
God's sovereignty extends to His long-suffering, which is part of His character and aims at salvation, leading people to repentance [6]. Even when His people face oppression, the perpetuity of God's rule over human affairs provides hope for restoration [11]. The Lord's power is supreme and unlimited, extending over all things, including salvation [4].
Sources
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Iphedeiah — redemption of the Lord”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Geuel — God's redemption”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Pedaiah — redemption of the Lord”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of Christ, The — As the Son of God, is the power of God -- Joh 5:17-19; 10:28-30. As man, is from the Father -- Ac 10:38. Described as Supreme. -- Eph 1:20,21; 1Pe 3:22. Unlimited. -- Mt 28:18. Over all flesh. -- Joh 17:2. Over all things. -- Joh 3:35; Eph 1:22. Glorious. -- 2Th 1:9. Everlasting. -- 1Ti 6:16. Is able to subdue all things -- Php 3:21. Exhibited in Creation. -- Joh 1:3,10; Col 1:16. Upholding all things. -- Col 1:17; Heb 1:3. Salvation. -- Isa 63:1; Heb 7:25. His teaching. -- Mt 7:28,29; Lu 4:32. Working miracles. -- Mt 8:27; Lu 5:17. Enabling ot”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redemption — The purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word occurring nine times in Scripture, and always with the idea of a ransom or price paid, i.e., redemption by a lutron (see Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). There are instances in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament of the use of lutron in man's relation to man (Lev. 19:20; 25:51; Ex. 21:30; Num. 35:31, 32; Isa. 45:13; Prov. 6:35), and in the same sense of man's relation to God (Num. 3:49; 18:15). There are many passages in the New Tes”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
- Psalms “He has sent redemption to his people. He has ordained his covenant forever. His name is holy and awesome! -- Psalms 111:9”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 66:7: 66:7 God’s power brings redemption. The same word occurs in 65:6 for God’s power in creation (see also 80:2).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 105:42: 105:42-45 The story of redemption is also the story of the Lord’s faithfulness.”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 1:27: Zion shall be redeemed with judgment,.... The blessing of redemption by Christ is the source and foundation of the other blessings of grace, before mentioned, the little remnant are favoured with, as justification, pardon of sin, and conversion, Isa 1:18, Isa 1:25 it is of a spiritual nature; the redemption of the soul is a deliverance from the captivity of sin, Satan, and the law, and is plenteous and eternal; the objects of redeeming grace are "Zion" and her converts; not the world, but the church is redeemed by Christ; for by Zion is meant, not a place, but peopl”
- 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.”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 1:14: In whom we have redemption,.... Which is an excellent and wonderful blessing of grace saints have in and by Christ; and lies in a deliverance from sin, all sin, original and actual, under which they are held captive, in a state of nature, and by which they are made subject to the punishment of death; but through the sacrifice of Christ it is taken, and put away, finished, and made an end of; and they are freed from the damning power of it, or any obligation to punishment for it; and in consequence of this are delivered from the enslaving governing power of it by h”
- Isaiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Isaiah 56:1: The scope of these verses is to show that when God is coming towards us in a way of mercy we must go forth to meet him in a way of duty. I. God here tells us what are his intentions of mercy to us (Isa 56:1): My salvation is near to come - the great salvation wrought out by Jesus Christ (for that was the salvation of which the prophets enquired and searched diligently, Pe1 1:10), typified by the salvation of the Jews from Sennacherib or out of Babylon. Observe, 1. The gospel salvation is the salvation of the Lord. It was contrived and brought about by him; he glor”