Topical Bible: The Earth: God: Governs Supremely

◄ The Earth: God: Governs Supremely ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The sovereignty of God over the earth is a central theme throughout the Bible, affirming His ultimate authority and control over all creation. This divine governance is depicted in various ways, emphasizing God's omnipotence, wisdom, and righteousness.

Creation and Ownership

The Bible begins with the declaration of God's creative power: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). This foundational statement establishes God's ownership and authority over the earth. Psalm 24:1 further affirms, "The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein." This verse underscores the belief that everything on earth belongs to God, and He exercises sovereign rule over it.

Sustaining Power

God's governance is not limited to the act of creation but extends to the continuous sustaining of the earth. Colossians 1:17 states, "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." This passage highlights the belief that God's power maintains the order and existence of the universe. Hebrews 1:3 echoes this by describing the Son as "sustaining all things by His powerful word."

Providence and Control

The Bible frequently illustrates God's providential control over the earth and its events. In Isaiah 45:7, God declares, "I form light and create darkness; I bring prosperity and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things." This verse reflects the belief that God orchestrates both the blessings and challenges of life, demonstrating His comprehensive governance.

The book of Daniel provides a vivid example of God's supreme rule over earthly kingdoms. Daniel 2:21 states, "He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them." This passage reveals God's authority over political powers and historical events, affirming that no earthly ruler operates outside His sovereign will.

Judgment and Justice

God's governance is also characterized by His perfect justice. Psalm 9:7-8 declares, "But the LORD abides forever; He has established His throne for judgment. He judges the world with justice; He governs the people with equity." This assurance of divine justice offers hope that God will ultimately right all wrongs and establish His righteous order on earth.

Redemption and Restoration

The Bible presents God's governance as redemptive, aiming to restore creation to its intended glory. Romans 8:20-21 speaks of creation's subjection to futility but also its hope for liberation: "For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God." This passage reflects the belief that God's sovereign plan includes the redemption and renewal of the earth.

Divine Wisdom and Knowledge

God's governance is marked by His infinite wisdom and knowledge. Isaiah 40:28 proclaims, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out." This verse emphasizes that God's ways and thoughts are higher than human understanding, ensuring that His governance is perfect and just.

Human Responsibility

While God governs supremely, the Bible also teaches that humans have a responsibility to steward the earth. Genesis 1:28 commands humanity to "fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth." This mandate reflects the belief that humans are entrusted with the care of creation under God's sovereign authority.

Conclusion

The Bible consistently portrays God as the supreme ruler of the earth, whose governance is characterized by creation, sustenance, providence, justice, redemption, and wisdom. This divine sovereignty assures believers of God's ultimate control and purpose for the world, inviting them to trust in His perfect will and participate in His redemptive plan.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 34:13
Who has given him a charge over the earth? or who has disposed the whole world?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 135:6
Whatever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

And Now, victorious and Mighty Constantine, in this Discourse...
... He it is who governs the sun, and moon, and the other luminaries of heaven by
inexplicable laws ... It is this Word of God who has stooped to the earth on which ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xi and now victorious.htm

Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
... found in any book"except that supremely wonderful work ... Christ himself are revealed;
a nation God governs and leads ... beyond anything ever heard on earth of any ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/ninth sunday after trinity carnal.htm

On the Roman Pontiff, and the Principal Titles which Are
... prophets, teachers, and bishops; who leads and governs believers, but ... given unto
me in heaven and in earth: Go ye ... given Him." (John 17:2.) "Whom God hath set ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 21 on the roman.htm

Evidences of Regeneration.
... of the sensibility, and it is not principle that governs him ... or as in rags, and in
caves and dens of the earth. ... But he may also live and reign for God, and for ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxx evidences of regeneration.htm

The Permanent Significance of the Old Testament
... there is a faith in God who governs the world. ... the simple "In the beginning God created
heaven and earth"? ... called "the family album of the Holy God"; we might ...
/.../chapter vi the permanent significance.htm

Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me all the Days of My Life ...
... see the hand of Him who directs and governs all. ... then, those who are really the friends
of God have faith ... heavenly Master; and all the perils of earth, and all ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/xi surely goodness and mercy.htm

Genesis
... Nowhere is the providence that governs life and the Nemesis ... from the second creation
story in which God, like a potter, fashions men out of moist earth, ii.7 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/genesis.htm

The Father Seen in Christ.
... Show us the eternal One who governs all. ... for Himself applause, but power as God's
representative on earth to do ... to do: it is as an exhibition of God's power He ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/x the father seen in.htm

Chapter iii
... God permit His chief creature on earth to be ... seed." There would be something supremely
trivial about ... same time, to show how completely God governs and controls ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iii.htm

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Trinity Prayer and Spiritual Knowledge.
... calls them in Ephesians 6, 11; which governs and guides ... would say, the unspeakable
benefits and gifts God has bestowed upon you above all men on earth. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty fourth sunday after trinity.htm