Topical Encyclopedia The theme of God's choice versus human expectations is a recurring motif throughout the Bible, illustrating the divine prerogative in selecting individuals and unfolding plans that often defy human logic and societal norms. This theme underscores the sovereignty of God and His ability to work beyond human understanding and expectations.Old Testament Examples 1. Abraham and Sarah: God's choice of Abraham and Sarah to be the progenitors of a great nation defied human expectations due to their advanced age and Sarah's barrenness. In Genesis 17:19, God promises Abraham, "Your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac." Despite their doubts, God's promise was fulfilled, demonstrating His power to accomplish His purposes irrespective of human limitations. 2. David's Anointing: The selection of David as king over Israel is a profound example of God's choice over human expectations. When Samuel was sent to anoint a new king from the sons of Jesse, he initially assumed Eliab, the eldest, was the chosen one. However, God instructed Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or 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" (1 Samuel 16:7). David, the youngest and a shepherd, was chosen, highlighting God's criteria that transcend human judgment. 3. Gideon's Army: In Judges 7, God reduces Gideon's army from 32,000 to 300 men to deliver Israel from the Midianites. This unexpected choice was to ensure that Israel would recognize that victory was due to God's intervention, not human might. Judges 7:2 states, "The LORD said to Gideon, 'You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands. Israel might boast against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’" New Testament Examples 1. The Birth of Jesus: The incarnation of Jesus Christ is a paramount example of God's choice defying human expectations. Born in a manger to a humble virgin, Jesus' arrival was contrary to the anticipated royal and powerful Messiah. The angel's announcement to Mary in Luke 1:31-32 reveals God's plan: "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High." 2. The Calling of the Disciples: Jesus' choice of His disciples further illustrates this theme. He selected fishermen, a tax collector, and others from ordinary backgrounds, rather than religious leaders or scholars. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus calls Peter and Andrew, saying, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." This choice emphasizes God's ability to use the unlikely to accomplish His divine purposes. 3. Paul's Apostleship: The conversion and calling of Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul, is a striking example of God's unexpected choice. Once a persecutor of Christians, Paul was chosen to be an apostle to the Gentiles. In Acts 9:15, the Lord tells Ananias, "Go! This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel." Theological Implications The theme of God's choice versus human expectations highlights several key theological principles: · Divine Sovereignty: God's choices are not bound by human limitations or understanding. His plans are executed according to His will and purpose, often surprising and confounding human expectations. · God's Wisdom: The wisdom of God surpasses human wisdom. As stated in Isaiah 55:8-9, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." · Grace and Mercy: God's choices often reflect His grace and mercy, selecting the weak, the humble, and the unexpected to demonstrate His power and love. This is evident in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." Throughout Scripture, God's choices consistently challenge human expectations, revealing His sovereign will and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. Subtopics God for Other Anthropomorphic Scriptures by Israel God for Other Anthropomorphic Scriptures: Saul God in the Banishment of John to Patmos God in Turning the Heart of the King of Assyria to Favor the Jews God is Declared to Be: A Consuming Fire God is Declared to Be: Compassionate God is Declared to Be: Eternal God is Declared to Be: Faithful God is Declared to Be: Glorious God is Declared to Be: Gracious God is Declared to Be: Immortal God is Declared to Be: Immutable God is Declared to Be: Incorruptible God is Declared to Be: Invisible God is Declared to Be: Jealous God is Declared to Be: Long-Suffering God is Declared to Be: Merciful God is Declared to Be: Most High God is Declared to Be: Omnipotent God is Declared to Be: Omnipresent God is Declared to Be: Omniscient God is Declared to Be: Only-Wise God is Declared to Be: Perfect God is Declared to Be: Righteous God is Declared to Be: Unsearchable God is Declared to Be: Upright God Loving all of his Children God: Appearances of To Abraham God: Appearances of To Ezekiel God: Appearances of To Jacob, at Beth-El God: Appearances of To Moses and Joshua God: Appearances of To Moses, at Sinai God: Appearances of To Moses, in the Flaming Bush God: Appearances of To Solomon God: Delaying and Destroying Pharaoh God: Delivering the Israelites God: Feeding Elijah and the Widow God: Fighting the Battles of Israel God: Preserver in Delivering from the Oppressions of the King of Syria God: Preserver in Exempting the Land of Goshen from the Plague of Darkness God: Preserver in Exempting the Land of Goshen from the Plague of Flies God: Preserver in Giving Peace With Other Nations God: Preserver in Preserving Their Cattle from the Plague of Murrain, God: Preserver in Saving the Firstborn, when the Plague of Death Destroyed the Firstborn of Egypt, God: Preserver in the Wilderness God: Preserver: As he Journeyed in the Land of Canaan God: Preserver: Daniel and the Three Hebrew Captives God: Preserver: Deliverance from Egypt, God: Preserver: Delivering Israel by Jeroboam Ii God: Preserver: Delivering the Kingdom of Israel from Syria God: Preserver: Delivering Them from the Army of the Assyrians God: Preserver: Jeremah and Baruch God: Preserver: Jesus and his Parents God: Preserver: On Account of Samuel's Intercession God: Preserver: Paul and Silas God: Preserver: The Ethiopian Host God: Preserver: The Wise Men of the East God: Preserver: To Abraham and Sarah, in Egypt God: Preserver: To Hagar, when Abraham Cast Her Out God: Preserver: To Jacob, when he Fled from Laban, his Father-In-Law God: Preserver: To Joseph, in Egypt God: Preserver: To Lot, when Sodom Was Destroyed God: Preserver: To Moses, in his Infancy God: Preserver: To Noah and his Family, at the Time of the Flood God: Preserver: To the Israelites, in Bringing About Their Deliverance from Bondage God: Preserver: To the Kingdom of Judah: in Delivering from Egypt God: Preserver: Under Jephthah God: Preserver: Victories Over the Canaanites Under Joshua God: Preserver: when he Met Esau God: Protecting Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech God: Protection of Homes While at Feasts God: Providence of, Mysterious and Misinterpreted God: Providence of, Overruling Interpositions of The God: Purifying the Waters of Marah God: Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem God: Restoring Manasseh After his Conversion God: should be Worshipped in Spirit and in Truth God: Special Grace: To Abraham God: Special Grace: To Solomon God: Supplying Manna and Quail God: Supplying Water at Meribah God: Symbolized by the Darkness of the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle God: Symbolized by the General Structure of the Most Holy Place, See God: Symbolized by the Pillar of Fire God: The Revolt of the Ten Tribes God: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To God: Warning Pharaoh About the Famine God: Warning the Wise Men from the East Sarcasm: God Reproaching Israel Related Terms |