Divine Selection

Divine selection, often referred to as election, is a theological concept that denotes God's sovereign choice in selecting individuals or groups for a specific purpose or destiny. This doctrine is rooted in the understanding of God's omniscience and omnipotence, emphasizing His ultimate authority and wisdom in making decisions that align with His divine will and plan.

The concept of divine selection is prominently featured in the Old Testament, where God chooses Israel as His special people. In Deuteronomy 7:6-8 , it is written: "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, above all peoples on the face of the earth. The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt."

In the New Testament, divine selection extends to the concept of spiritual election, where God chooses individuals for salvation through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:4-5 states: "For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will."

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this in Romans 8:29-30 : "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified."

Human Rejection

Human rejection, in the biblical context, refers to the refusal or denial of God's will, commands, or offer of salvation. This rejection can manifest in various forms, including disobedience, unbelief, and idolatry. The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals and nations that rejected God's guidance and faced consequences as a result.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites frequently rejected God's commands, leading to periods of judgment and exile. In 1 Samuel 8:7 , God tells Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king."

The New Testament also addresses human rejection, particularly in the context of rejecting Jesus Christ as the Messiah. In John 1:11 , it is written: "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him." This rejection is further highlighted in John 3:19 : "And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil."

The Apostle Paul speaks of the consequences of human rejection in Romans 1:21-24 : "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another."

Interplay of Divine Selection and Human Rejection

The interplay between divine selection and human rejection is a profound theme in Scripture, illustrating the tension between God's sovereign will and human free will. While God, in His sovereignty, elects individuals for His purposes, humans possess the capacity to reject His call. This dynamic is evident in the parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew 22:1-14 , where many are invited, but few are chosen, highlighting the reality of human rejection amidst divine invitation.

The doctrine of divine selection and human rejection underscores the importance of faith and obedience in the believer's life, calling individuals to respond to God's grace with humility and acceptance.