2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Calendar
GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY AND MAN’S RESPONSIBILITY
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Esther 4:13-14
2 Samuel 10:12
"… the legitimate instruments
of Divine Providence."
GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY AND MAN’S RESPONSIBILITY
Through Hatach, Mordecai responded strongly to Esther’s reply. He reminded Esther not to think that just because she was in the palace of the king, she would be spared when the time came for the Jews to be destroyed. He added that if she refused to speak to the king about this matter, relief and deliverance for the Jews would come from some other means nevertheless. But he warned her that she would be guilty and would deserve to die. With that, Mordecai made the statement to Esther: "who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Since Hatach was simply carrying information from Esther to him, Mordecai probably could not tell if Esther was unwilling to act or just making a factual statement that no one could see the king without being called. But from Mordecai’s response, one thing was clear: he expected Esther not to be passive but to act. It appeared also that Mordecai had confidence that the Jews would have deliverance somehow and would not be annihilated.Though God was not mentioned, it seemed Mordecai understood that God would not allow His covenantal people to be destroyed. Mordecai’s statement about Esther becoming queen of Persia at this critical time seem to indicate strongly that he was intimating that the Sovereign God had been working out His Providence. To Mordecai’s credit, he also insisted that Esther do her part in God’s plan and not just keep silent and let things work out by themselves.
God’s Sovereignty does not negate man’s responsibility. Those words "who knoweth" appropriately reminds us that while man cannot fully know what has been ordered by Divine plans, it is still man’s responsibility to act. Man is expected to act responsibly and use means provided by God in His Sovereign plans. God’s Sovereignty does not mean "que sera sera" (i.e. whatever will be will be). It is not fatalistic fate. God can indeed work out His plans by many other means even if we refuse to be His instrument. There is no conflict between God’s Sovereignty and man’s responsibility at all.
THOUGHT: God’s Sovereignty is not an excuse for my passivity.
PRAYER: Lord, grant me courage and wisdom as Thy instrument.
Posted in Adult RPG
Esther 4:13-14
2 Samuel 10:12
"… the legitimate instruments
of Divine Providence."
GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY AND MAN’S RESPONSIBILITY
Through Hatach, Mordecai responded strongly to Esther’s reply. He reminded Esther not to think that just because she was in the palace of the king, she would be spared when the time came for the Jews to be destroyed. He added that if she refused to speak to the king about this matter, relief and deliverance for the Jews would come from some other means nevertheless. But he warned her that she would be guilty and would deserve to die. With that, Mordecai made the statement to Esther: "who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Since Hatach was simply carrying information from Esther to him, Mordecai probably could not tell if Esther was unwilling to act or just making a factual statement that no one could see the king without being called. But from Mordecai’s response, one thing was clear: he expected Esther not to be passive but to act. It appeared also that Mordecai had confidence that the Jews would have deliverance somehow and would not be annihilated.Though God was not mentioned, it seemed Mordecai understood that God would not allow His covenantal people to be destroyed. Mordecai’s statement about Esther becoming queen of Persia at this critical time seem to indicate strongly that he was intimating that the Sovereign God had been working out His Providence. To Mordecai’s credit, he also insisted that Esther do her part in God’s plan and not just keep silent and let things work out by themselves.
God’s Sovereignty does not negate man’s responsibility. Those words "who knoweth" appropriately reminds us that while man cannot fully know what has been ordered by Divine plans, it is still man’s responsibility to act. Man is expected to act responsibly and use means provided by God in His Sovereign plans. God’s Sovereignty does not mean "que sera sera" (i.e. whatever will be will be). It is not fatalistic fate. God can indeed work out His plans by many other means even if we refuse to be His instrument. There is no conflict between God’s Sovereignty and man’s responsibility at all.
THOUGHT: God’s Sovereignty is not an excuse for my passivity.
PRAYER: Lord, grant me courage and wisdom as Thy instrument.
Posted in Adult RPG