Introduction

Divine Selection and Order refer to the theological concepts that God, in His sovereignty, chooses individuals, nations, and events according to His divine purpose and arranges them in a specific order to fulfill His will. These concepts are deeply rooted in the biblical narrative and underscore the belief in God's ultimate authority and intentionality in the unfolding of history.

Divine Selection

The concept of divine selection is evident throughout Scripture, where God chooses certain individuals or groups for specific purposes. This selection is not based on human merit but on God's sovereign will and grace.

1. Abraham and Israel: God's selection of Abraham marks a pivotal moment in biblical history. In Genesis 12:1-3, God calls Abraham to leave his country and promises to make him a great nation. This selection is foundational for the establishment of Israel as God's chosen people. Deuteronomy 7:6 states, "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 the peoples on the face of the earth."

2. David: God's choice of David as king over Israel is another example of divine selection. Despite being the youngest son of Jesse, David is chosen by God to lead His people. 1 Samuel 16:7 reveals God's criteria for selection: "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.'"

3. The Apostles: In the New Testament, Jesus selects His apostles to carry out His mission. Mark 3:13-14 records, "Then Jesus went up on the mountain and called for those He wanted, and they came to Him. He appointed twelve of them, whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach."

Divine Order

Divine order refers to the structured and purposeful arrangement of creation and events by God. This order reflects God's wisdom and sovereignty in orchestrating the universe and human history.

1. Creation: The account of creation in Genesis 1 demonstrates divine order. God creates the world in a systematic sequence, bringing order out of chaos. Each day of creation builds upon the previous one, culminating in the creation of humanity. Genesis 1:31 states, "And God looked upon all that He had made, and indeed, it was very good."

2. Providence: God's providential order is seen in His governance of the world. Proverbs 16:9 affirms, "A man's heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." This verse highlights the belief that while humans make plans, it is ultimately God who directs the outcome.

3. The Church: The New Testament describes the church as a body with Christ as the head, emphasizing divine order in its structure and function. Ephesians 4:11-12 explains, "And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ."

Conclusion

The concepts of divine selection and order are integral to understanding the biblical narrative and God's interaction with the world. They affirm God's sovereignty, wisdom, and purpose in choosing individuals and arranging events to accomplish His divine will.