Presumption: Exhibited in Opposing God
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Presumption, in a biblical context, refers to an overstepping of bounds, often characterized by an arrogant or disrespectful attitude towards God and His commands. It is a form of pride that leads individuals to act without divine sanction, often resulting in dire consequences. The Bible provides several examples of presumption, particularly in the context of opposing God.

Nadab and Abihu
One of the earliest and most striking examples of presumption is found in the actions of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron. In Leviticus 10:1-2 , they offered "unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command." Their presumption in approaching God in a manner He had not prescribed resulted in their immediate death by divine fire. This incident underscores the seriousness of approaching God with irreverence and disobedience.

Korah's Rebellion
Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and others, exhibited presumption by challenging the God-ordained leadership of Moses and Aaron. In Numbers 16:3 , they accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the assembly of the LORD. Their rebellion was not merely against human leaders but against God's established order. The earth opened and swallowed them, demonstrating the severe consequences of presuming to oppose God's chosen servants and His divine will.

King Saul
King Saul's presumption is evident in 1 Samuel 13:8-14 , where he unlawfully offered a burnt offering in Samuel's absence. Saul's impatience and disregard for God's command through the prophet Samuel led to his rejection as king. This act of presumption highlighted Saul's lack of faith and obedience, ultimately costing him his dynasty.

Uzziah's Incense Offering
King Uzziah's presumption is recorded in 2 Chronicles 26:16-21 . Uzziah, in his pride, entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar, a duty reserved for the priests. Despite being confronted by the priests, Uzziah persisted, and as a result, he was struck with leprosy. His presumption in assuming a role not appointed to him by God led to his downfall and isolation.

Peter's Rebuke of Jesus
In the New Testament, Peter's presumption is seen when he rebukes Jesus for predicting His own suffering and death. In Matthew 16:22-23 , Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord! This shall never happen to You!" Jesus responded sternly, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me." Peter's presumption in opposing God's redemptive plan, though well-intentioned, was a serious misstep.

Warnings Against Presumption
The Bible consistently warns against the sin of presumption. In Deuteronomy 18:20 , God warns that any prophet who presumes to speak a word in His name that He has not commanded shall die. Similarly, in Psalm 19:13 , David prays, "Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me." This plea highlights the need for humility and submission to God's will, avoiding the arrogance that leads to presumption.

Presumption, particularly in opposing God, is a grave sin that reflects a heart of pride and rebellion. The biblical narrative provides these examples as cautionary tales, urging believers to approach God with reverence, obedience, and humility.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Job 15:25,26
For he stretches out his hand against God, and strengthens himself against the Almighty.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Existence of Moral Evil, or Sin, Reconciled with the Holiness ...
... by the Persian Magi, whose views are exhibited by him ... not by resolving it, but by
opposing to it a ... of his own wisdom, and the blindness of his own presumption. ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter vi the existence of.htm

Three Things Briefly to be Regarded in Christ --viz. His Offices ...
... Nor was this a mere random presumption which had entered ... visible symbol of this grace
was exhibited at the ... dead bodies, and level down every opposing height (Ps ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 three things briefly.htm

Acts XVII
... [389] This leads to the presumption that Timothy ... king, Jesus, shows that Paul, while
opposing the Jewish ... He has exhibited the uselessness of all the splendid ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xvii.htm

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands ...
... lays so much stress in opposing the Messianic ... this, his natural lowliness, might
be most strikingly exhibited. ... Even by this concession, a presumption is raised ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap v 1.htm

Attributes of Love.
... will, will be the rule, and opposing feelings the ... of momentary duration, there is
strong presumption that the ... of Christ is more strikingly exhibited than this. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xv attributes of love.htm

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... He exhibited a uniform elevation above the objects, opinions ... on their premises, looked
upon as blasphemous presumption. ... of God, but instead of opposing all the ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

Atonement.
... and religious subjects, afford a strong presumption that the ... a higher order of virtues
than are exhibited in the ... and forever close up all opposing lips, than ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xxv atonement.htm

The Doctrine of Arbitrary Scriptural Accommodation Considered.
... legal enactment,"or prophecy, is so exhibited that the ... a few sayings in support of
such a presumption. ... in reverence for its Inspired Oracles: opposing to the ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon vi the doctrine of.htm

section second.
... form, in its full extent as exhibited above. ... be to set bounds with impatient presumption
to the ... widely from another, easily hardened in opposing views through ...
/.../the epistle of paul to the philippians practically explained/section second.htm

The Unity of the Divine Essence in Three Persons Taught, in ...
... men also studiously beware, that in opposing the Asians ... perfect light of faith is
now exhibited, when he ... a great dread of any thing like presumption here, lest ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 the unity of.htm

Resources
Are the demons the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim? | GotQuestions.org

Why didn't Adam and Eve find it strange that a serpent was talking to them? | GotQuestions.org

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the pre-wrath view of the rapture? | GotQuestions.org

Presumption: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Presumption

Presumption in Asking Jesus, "What Will This Man Do?"

Presumption in Objecting to Jesus' Statement That Jesus Must be Killed

Presumption in Objecting to Jesus Washing Peter's Feet

Presumption in Reflecting Upon his Knowledge when he Asked, Amid a Throng, Who Touched Jesus

Presumption in Reviling God

Presumption: A Characteristic of Antichrist

Presumption: A Characteristic of the Wicked

Presumption: Abraham, in Questioning About Sodom

Presumption: Benhadad

Presumption: Ben-Hadad

Presumption: Builders of Babel

Presumption: Complaining at Meribah

Presumption: David, in Numbering Israel

Presumption: David's Anger on Account of Uzzah's Death

Presumption: Diotrephes

Presumption: Exhibited in Esteeming Our own Ways Right

Presumption: Exhibited in Opposing God

Presumption: Exhibited in Planning for the Future

Presumption: Exhibited in Pretending to Prophecy

Presumption: Exhibited in Seeking Precedence

Presumption: Exhibited in Self-Righteousness

Presumption: Exhibited in Spiritual Pride

Presumption: Exhibited in Wilful Commission of Sin

Presumption: General Scriptures Concerning

Presumption: Israelites

Presumption: Israelites, in Ascending to the Top of the Hill Against the Amalekites

Presumption: James and John, in Desiring to Call Down Fire Upon the Samaritans

Presumption: Jeroboam

Presumption: Job, in Cursing the Day of his Birth

Presumption: Jonah

Presumption: Korah

Presumption: Korah, Dathan, and Abiram

Presumption: Men of Bethshemesh

Presumption: Men of Beth-Shemesh

Presumption: Moses, in Rebuking Jehovah

Presumption: Nadab and Abihu

Presumption: Pray to be Kept from Sins of

Presumption: Punishment For

Presumption: Reproved by Eliphaz

Presumption: Reproving Jesus

Presumption: Saints Avoid

Presumption: Satan, when he Said to Eve, "You Will Surely not Die"

Presumption: Saul, in Sacrificing

Presumption: Sennacherib

Presumption: Sons of Sceva

Presumption: Sparing the Amalekites

Presumption: The Disciples, in Rebuking Those Who Brought Little Children to Jesus

Presumption: The Disciples, in Their Indignation at the Anointing of Jesus

Presumption: The Sons of Sceva

Presumption: Theudas

Presumption: Those Who Reviled Jesus

Presumption: Uzzah

Presumption: Uzzah, in Steadying the Ark of the Covenant

Presumption: Uzziah

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Presumptuously (10 Occurrences)

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Job (60 Occurrences)

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Peter (181 Occurrences)

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Presumption: Exhibited in Esteeming Our own Ways Right
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