The concept of "overturns" in the Bible often refers to God's sovereign ability to change, reverse, or transform situations, kingdoms, and the hearts of individuals according to His divine will and purpose. This theme is prevalent throughout Scripture, illustrating God's ultimate authority over creation and history.

Divine Sovereignty and Judgment

One of the most prominent examples of overturning is found in the prophetic literature, where God declares His intention to overturn nations and kingdoms as a form of judgment or to fulfill His purposes. In Ezekiel 21:27 , the Lord declares, "A ruin, a ruin, I will make it a ruin! It will not be restored until the one to whom it belongs arrives; to him I will give it." This passage highlights God's power to dismantle and reestablish according to His plan.

Similarly, in the book of Daniel, the theme of divine overturning is evident in the vision of the statue representing successive empires. Daniel 2:44 states, "In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever." Here, God's kingdom is depicted as the ultimate overturning force that will replace all earthly powers.

Personal Transformation

On a personal level, the concept of overturning is also seen in the transformation of individuals. The Apostle Paul, formerly Saul, experienced a dramatic overturning of his life on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19). This personal transformation illustrates how God can overturn a person's heart and direction, turning a persecutor of the church into one of its most fervent apostles.

Reversal of Fortunes

The theme of overturning is also evident in the reversal of fortunes, where God lifts the humble and brings down the proud. In the Magnificat, Mary praises God for such reversals: "He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble" (Luke 1:52). This reflects the biblical principle that God often overturns societal norms and expectations to accomplish His purposes.

Hope and Restoration

The concept of overturning is not solely about judgment or destruction; it also encompasses hope and restoration. In the book of Job, after a period of intense suffering and questioning, God overturns Job's circumstances, restoring his fortunes and blessing him abundantly (Job 42:10-17). This narrative underscores the belief that God's overturning can lead to renewal and blessing.

Conclusion

The biblical theme of overturning serves as a powerful reminder of God's omnipotence and His active role in the world. Whether through judgment, personal transformation, or the reversal of fortunes, God's ability to overturn is a testament to His ultimate authority and the hope of restoration for those who trust in Him.2015. haphak -- to turn, overturn
... drained (1), give (1), had a change (1), inundate (1), overthrew (5), overthrow
(5), overthrown (3), overthrows (1), overturned (1), overturns (2), perverted (2 ...
/hebrew/2015.htm - 6k

The Catholics Praise Nature, Marriage, Law, Free Will, and the ...
... evil of both angel and man began, not from I know not what nature always evil, which
is no nature, but from the will itself, which overturns Manichean heresy ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 3 iii the catholics praise.htm

From Such Scriptures Grace is Proved to be Gratuitous and ...
... God"? [2825] Nothing so overturns the Pelagians when they say that the grace
of God is given in respect of our merits. Which, indeed ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 15 from such scriptures grace.htm

Ephesians iv. 4
... setting in across a calm harbor, render it more dangerous than any rock, or than
any strait whatever; so the lust of glory entering in, overturns and confounds ...
/.../homily x ephesians iv 4.htm

Creation and the Fall
... Thus by what seems His utter poverty and weakness on the cross He overturns the
pomp and parade of idols, and quietly and hiddenly wins over the mockers and ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 1 creation and the.htm

The Same Subject Continued.
... He also reveals the deceit of the demons, and openly exposes those that are no gods;
yea, while yet an infant he slays their priests, and overturns their altars ...
/.../chapter iv the same subject continued.htm

The Preacher as a Man of the Word.
... every moment, seem the least substantial of all things; yet out of it breaks the
forked lightning, which rives the giant of the forest, and overturns the tower ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture iv the preacher as.htm

Epistle viii. --To Dionysius.
... Lord Jesus Christ as if He were unmerciful; and besides all these things, holds
the sacred laver as of no effect, and rejects it, and overturns faith and ...
/.../dionysius/the works of dionysius/epistle viii to dionysius.htm

Our Lord Jesus Christ Having Wrought in Jud??a Many and Great and ...
... about in this city whose father is called Joseph, and his mother Mary; and he calls
himself king and Son of God; and being a Jew, he overturns the Scriptures ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 1 our lord jesus.htm

Necessity of Contemplating the Judgment-Seat of God, in Order to ...
... The divisions of this chapter are,"I. A consideration of the righteousness of God
overturns the righteousness of works, as is plain from passages of Scripture ...
/.../chapter 12 necessity of contemplating.htm

Analysis of Arminian Methodism
... happiness of religion, zeal for good works, and the whole Christian revelation;
that it turns God into a hypocrite and deceiver; that it overturns his justice ...
/.../ 111 analysis of arminian.htm

Overturns (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Overturns (3 Occurrences). Job 9:5 He removes the mountains,
and they don't know it, when he overturns them in his anger. ...
/o/overturns.htm - 7k

Overturning (14 Occurrences)

/o/overturning.htm - 10k

Mountains (221 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Job 9:5 He removes the mountains, and they don't know it, when he overturns
them in his anger. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/m/mountains.htm - 37k

Overweening (3 Occurrences)

/o/overweening.htm - 7k

Lays (30 Occurrences)
... know it. (WEB). Job 28:9 He puts forth his hand on the flinty rock, and
he overturns the mountains by the roots. (See NIV). Job 30 ...
/l/lays.htm - 13k

Flinty (3 Occurrences)
... NIV). Job 28:9 He puts forth his hand on the flinty rock, and he overturns
the mountains by the roots. (WEB JPS ASV DBY RSV NIV). ...
/f/flinty.htm - 7k

Flint (12 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Job 28:9 He puts forth his hand on the flinty
rock, and he overturns the mountains by the roots. (Root ...
/f/flint.htm - 14k

Removes (7 Occurrences)
... God?" (See NIV). Job 9:5 He removes the mountains, and they don't know it,
when he overturns them in his anger. (WEB NAS RSV). Job 12 ...
/r/removes.htm - 8k

Roots (31 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Job 28:9 He puts forth his hand
on the flinty rock, and he overturns the mountains by the roots. ...
/r/roots.htm - 16k

Assaults (5 Occurrences)
... cities; (See NIV). Job 28:9 He puts forth his hand on the flinty rock, and
he overturns the mountains by the roots. (See NIV). Psalms 88 ...
/a/assaults.htm - 7k

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