Divine Strategy

The concept of divine strategy refers to the overarching plan and purpose of God as revealed throughout the Scriptures. This strategy is evident from the creation narrative in Genesis to the eschatological visions in Revelation. God's divine strategy encompasses His sovereign will, His redemptive plan through Jesus Christ, and His ultimate purpose for humanity and creation.

In the Old Testament, divine strategy is seen in God's covenantal relationships with figures such as Abraham, Moses, and David. For instance, God promises Abraham, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2). This covenant sets the stage for the unfolding of God's plan through the nation of Israel.

The Exodus narrative further illustrates divine strategy as God delivers His people from Egyptian bondage, demonstrating His power and faithfulness. In Exodus 6:7, God declares, "I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians" . This deliverance is a foreshadowing of the ultimate redemption through Christ.

In the New Testament, divine strategy is most clearly revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus are central to God's redemptive plan. Ephesians 1:9-10 states, "And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ" . This passage highlights the culmination of divine strategy in the reconciliation of all things through Christ.

Human Agency

Human agency refers to the capacity of individuals to act independently and make choices. In the biblical narrative, human agency operates within the framework of divine sovereignty. While God is sovereign and His purposes will ultimately prevail, He often chooses to work through human agents to accomplish His will.

The Bible is replete with examples of human agency. In the Old Testament, figures like Joseph, Moses, and Esther demonstrate how God uses individuals to fulfill His purposes. Joseph, despite being sold into slavery, rises to a position of power in Egypt and ultimately saves his family from famine. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph acknowledges both divine strategy and human agency: "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people" .

In the New Testament, the apostles and early church leaders exemplify human agency in the spread of the Gospel. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 is a direct call to human agency: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you" . Here, Jesus entrusts His followers with the task of evangelism, relying on their obedience and action.

The interplay between divine strategy and human agency is also evident in the writings of Paul. In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul exhorts believers to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose" . This passage encapsulates the dynamic relationship between God's sovereign work and human responsibility.

Throughout Scripture, the tension between divine strategy and human agency is not a contradiction but a complementary relationship. God, in His sovereignty, orchestrates His divine plan, while humans, endowed with free will, participate in the unfolding of that plan. This partnership underscores the mystery and majesty of God's interaction with His creation, inviting believers to trust in His sovereignty while actively engaging in His mission.