Dictionary of Bible Themes God is not passive or remote from his creation but dynamically involved in all that he has made. In the past, this activity was seen in the history of Israel and in the ministry of Jesus Christ. In the present, God's activity can be seen in the life of believers and of the church. John 5:17God is active by nature See also He actively works out his purposes Numbers 23:19Psalms 115:3 Proverbs 16:4 Isaiah 43:13 Genesis 22:14 His names reflect his activity and involvement in his people's lives Exodus 15:26"The LORD Will Provide" Exodus 17:15"The LORD, who heals you" Psalms 95:6"The LORD is my Banner": this title emphasises that God is like a warrior who champions his people's cause Isaiah 55:10-11"The LORD our Maker": the Hebrew word used does not refer to original creation but to the way in which God is fashioning a people for himself. His word is active See also Genesis 1:3The Hebrew for "word" can also be translated "deed" or "action". God's word is not merely a communication of abstract truth but a powerful force active in the world. Ezekiel 37:4,7Nehemiah 9:6 God is active in the creation See also In making the universe Genesis 1:1,31; 2:2; 5:1-2Psalms 102:25 Amos 4:13 Acts 17:24 Revelation 4:11 Psalms 103:19 See also In sustaining the created order Psalms 104:10-17; 107:33-35Matthew 6:28-30 Acts 14:17 Ephesians 1:11 Colossians 1:16-17 Job 37:10; 38:22-30,34-35 Psalms 107:25; 147:8 In bringing about changes in the weather Matthew 5:45Acts 14:17 Job 38:31-33 Psalms 104:19; 147:4 In the stars and other heavenly bodies Isaiah 40:26James 1:17 Job 39:1-30; 40:15-24; 41:1-11 Psalms 104:20-27; 147:9 In the animal creation Matthew 10:29pp Lk 12:6 Exodus 6:6-8God is active in Israel's history See also In the calling and creation of Israel as a people Genesis 12:1-3Exodus 19:3-6 Deuteronomy 4:32-34 Isaiah 51:2 Ezekiel 16:6-7 Hosea 11:1-4 Malachi 2:10 Psalms 106:2 In saving and delivering his people See also Exodus 33:16-17This verse introduces a psalm which recounts the history of God's dealings with his people. 2 Samuel 7:7-111 Kings 18:36-38 Psalms 28:8-9; 107:2-3 Numbers 25:3-4 1 Samuel 2:25; 12:16-18 In judgment 2 Samuel 21:1Exodus 14:27-28; 17:8-16 Numbers 21:1-3 In bringing victory in battle Joshua 6:2; 10:30Judges 7:9,22 1 Samuel 17:47 2 Chronicles 20:22-23 2 Samuel 7:8-9 2 Chronicles 24:19 In raising up and sending leaders to the people Esther 4:14Jeremiah 7:25 Zechariah 7:7 Psalms 22:28 God is active in the nations of the world See also His rule over the nations Genesis 11:8Deuteronomy 32:8 Judges 2:20-23 Job 12:23 Psalms 46:8-10; 66:7 Isaiah 41:2 Acts 17:26 2 Kings 17:18-23 Examples of nations through which God acts Isaiah 28:11Assyria: 2 Kings 24:10-142 Chronicles 36:15-18 Babylon: 2 Chronicles 36:22-23pp Ezr 1:1-4 Persia Acts 17:28God is active in human life See also He determines the course of human lives 1 Chronicles 29:12Psalms 8:3-4; 75:6-7; 139:16 Luke 1:52 John 1:4 Numbers 22:21-23 Examples of God's intervention in human lives 1 Samuel 1:19-20Balaam 2 Kings 5:14-15Hannah Jonah 1:17Naaman Acts 9:3-6; 13:1-3; 16:6,10Jonah Paul: Acts 10:38God is active in Jesus Christ's ministry See also Luke 5:17; 11:20John 3:2; 5:17-19; 9:3-4; 14:10 2 Corinthians 5:19 Genesis 1:2 God is active through the Holy Spirit 2 Kings 2:16Ezekiel 8:3; 11:1; 43:5 1 Corinthians 12:6 God is active in the church See also 1 Corinthians 14:24-25This verse comes in the context of teaching about the body of Christ and the gifts which the Spirit gives to the church. Galatians 2:8; 3:5Ephesians 3:10,20-21 Philippians 1:6; 2:13 See also 1080 God, living1110 God, present everywhere 1115 God, purpose of 1130 God, sovereignty 1310 God as judge 1320 God as Saviour 1325 God, the Creator 2354 Christ, mission 3275 Holy Spirit in the church 4945 history 7020 church, the 7140 people of God |
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