Topical Bible: Protection: Withdrawn from The: Presumptuous

◄ Protection: Withdrawn from The: Presumptuous ►

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In the biblical context, the concept of divine protection is a recurring theme, often associated with God's covenantal faithfulness and the obedience of His people. However, Scripture also presents instances where protection is withdrawn, particularly in cases of presumptuous behavior. Presumption, in this sense, refers to an overstepping of bounds, often characterized by arrogance or a disregard for God's commands.

Biblical Instances and Principles

1. Presumption and Disobedience: The Bible warns against presumptuous actions, which often lead to the withdrawal of divine protection. In Deuteronomy 17:12-13, the law stipulates that anyone who acts presumptuously by not listening to the priest or judge must be put to death, highlighting the seriousness of such behavior. This underscores the principle that presumption, especially in defiance of God's established order, results in severe consequences.

2. The Israelites' Presumptuous Actions: A notable example is found in Numbers 14:39-45. After the Israelites refused to enter the Promised Land due to fear and lack of faith, they later attempted to go up against the Amalekites and Canaanites, despite God's command not to do so. Moses warned them, saying, "Do not go up, for the LORD is not among you, and you will be defeated by your enemies" (Numbers 14:42). Their presumption led to a disastrous defeat, illustrating how divine protection is contingent upon obedience and alignment with God's will.

3. King Saul's Presumption: King Saul's reign provides another example. In 1 Samuel 13:8-14, Saul presumptuously offered a burnt offering, a duty reserved for the prophet Samuel. This act of presumption led to God's rejection of Saul's kingship. Samuel declared, "You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you" (1 Samuel 13:13). Saul's failure to adhere to God's command resulted in the withdrawal of divine favor and protection over his reign.

4. The Principle of Humility and Dependence: Scripture consistently emphasizes humility and dependence on God as prerequisites for His protection. James 4:6 states, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" . Presumption, rooted in pride, stands in stark contrast to the humility that invites God's protective grace.

5. Warnings in the New Testament: The New Testament continues this theme, warning believers against presumptuous sin. In 2 Peter 2:10, Peter describes false teachers as "bold and arrogant," who "do not tremble when they blaspheme glorious beings" . Such presumption leads to destruction, as they operate outside the bounds of God's protection.

Theological Implications

The withdrawal of divine protection in cases of presumption serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of obedience and reverence for God's commands. It highlights the necessity of aligning one's actions with God's will and the dangers of self-reliance and arrogance. The biblical narrative consistently portrays God's protection as a covenantal promise, contingent upon the faithfulness and humility of His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 14:40-45
And they rose up early in the morning, and got them up into the top of the mountain, saying, See, we be here, and will go up to the place which the LORD has promised: for we have sinned.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Call of Isaiah
... be pleaded as an excuse for the presumptuous sin by ... The divine protection was being
removed, and the Assyrian ... temple seemed to be uplifted or withdrawn, and he ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 25 the call of.htm

"The Time of Trouble. "
... by divine grace, they have no protection from the ... Spirit of God has been finally
withdrawn; and the ... Had this been a boastful, presumptuous claim, Jacob would ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /39 the time of trouble.htm

Thou Shalt have no Other Gods Before Me.
... again when you notice how presumptuous, secure, and ... when they no longer exist or
are withdrawn. ... life, food, drink, nourishment, health, protection, peace, and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt have no other.htm

The Time of Trouble
... by divine grace, they have no protection from the ... Spirit of God has been finally
withdrawn; and the ... Had this been a boastful, presumptuous claim, Jacob would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 39 the time of.htm

Of the Incapacity of an Unregenerate Person for Relishing the ...
... them continually under the Divine protection, and compassed ... his presence shall be
withdrawn, from whence ... of scripture forbids that presumptuous destructive hope ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse v of the incapacity.htm

Conversion.
... is not shut, nor God's heart withdrawn from thee ... thrust thyself under the shelter
and protection of the ... enough barred and bolted against the presumptuous sinner ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xi conversion.htm

And ii.
... as a field'), instead of building it up by righteousness." Righteousness builds
up, because it draws down God's blessing and protection; but unrighteousness ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... to be rejected when praying privately on their own account, how presumptuous were
it to ... when they have them for husbands and live under their protection (Isa.4 ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

Twenty-Seven Articles Respecting the Reformation of the Christian ...
... fulfils his duty, that is prayer, protection and work ... by his exemption he has withdrawn
convents, abbots ... All these excessive, over-presumptuous and most wicked ...
/.../iii twenty-seven articles respecting the.htm

Crucified, Dead, and Buried. '
... achieve absolute victory by an act of presumptuous self-assertion ... the Cross, and
to them the protection of his ... John may have withdrawn to bring tidings to, and ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm