Topical Bible: The Joy of God Over his People: Illustrated

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The concept of God's joy over His people is a profound theme woven throughout the Scriptures, reflecting His deep love and delight in those who are His. This joy is not merely a passive feeling but an active expression of God's relationship with His people, characterized by His covenantal faithfulness and redemptive purposes.

Zephaniah 3:17
One of the most vivid illustrations of God's joy is found in Zephaniah 3:17: "The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing." This passage portrays God as a mighty warrior who not only saves but also rejoices over His people with exuberant joy. The imagery of God singing over His people suggests an intimate and personal delight, akin to a parent rejoicing over a beloved child.

Isaiah 62:5
In Isaiah 62:5, the joy of God is likened to the joy of a bridegroom over his bride: "For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you." This metaphor underscores the covenantal relationship between God and His people, emphasizing His commitment and the joy He derives from this union. The imagery of marriage conveys a sense of deep affection and celebration, highlighting the personal and communal aspects of God's joy.

Luke 15:7, 10
The New Testament also illustrates God's joy, particularly in the parables of Jesus. In Luke 15:7, Jesus speaks of the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents: "In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent." Similarly, in Luke 15:10, He states, "In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." These parables reveal the heart of God, who rejoices in the redemption and restoration of His people. The joy is not only God's but is shared among the heavenly hosts, indicating the communal celebration of salvation.

Jeremiah 32:41
Jeremiah 32:41 further illustrates God's joy in doing good to His people: "I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will faithfully plant them in this land with all My heart and soul." Here, God's joy is expressed in His actions toward His people, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to their well-being and prosperity. The use of "all My heart and soul" emphasizes the depth and sincerity of God's joy, reflecting His passionate involvement in the lives of His people.

Psalm 149:4
Psalm 149:4 declares, "For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the afflicted with salvation." This verse highlights God's delight in His people, particularly in their salvation and deliverance. The pleasure God takes in His people is not based on their merit but on His gracious choice and redemptive work. The adornment with salvation signifies the transformation and honor bestowed upon His people, further illustrating His joy in their redemption.

These scriptural illustrations collectively portray a God who is not distant or indifferent but one who actively rejoices over His people. His joy is rooted in His love, expressed through His saving acts, and celebrated in the heavenly realms. This joy is both a present reality and a future hope, as God's ultimate purpose is to dwell with His people in eternal joy and fellowship.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 62:5
For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you: and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 15:23,24
And bring here the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Children's Bible
... GOD WHO ALWAYS WATCHES OVER HIS PEOPLE. GOD WHO PROTECTS FROM ALL DANGER. ... JESUS FINDS
JOY IN ALL HIS WORK. JESUS CALMS THE STORM. ... THE KINGDOM OF GOD. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/

Justification by Faith --Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness
... is thine, with all its ecstacies of joy, eternity with ... God has shut every door except
that over which the ... All acceptable approaches to God must be through an ...
/.../justification by faithillustrated by abrams.htm

Consecration to God --Illustrated by Abraham's Circumcision
... unto me as God all-sufficient for my comfort and my joy. ... soul, for that will help
you to be consecrated to God. ... but in this chapter we have it over and over ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/consecration to godillustrated by abrahams.htm

A Liberal Church
... threw the early church into a transport of joy; for the ... and it shall be given unto
you," God has promised ... down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 32 a liberal church.htm

Sin and Grace
... Our very trials when they have passed over us, leave us stronger and happier than
we were before. ... 11. But we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 54 1908/sin and grace.htm

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
... Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump, to make one ... It is the
joy of the Lord ... The law of God is the rule according to which men act; and that ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.htm

Conflict.
... When it is over, nothing will more astonish the man of ... was involved in His Cross,
more also than joy was reserved ... "He has sat down on the right hand of God.". ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiv conflict.htm

Sovereign Grace and Man's Responsibility
... a short time it pleased God to give him joy and peace in ... God is my witness, I have
sometimes stood in this pulpit ... I will give you rest." I have wept over you as ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/sovereign grace and mans responsibility.htm

B. The Second Stages. Chs. 13:22 to 17:10
... 10 Even so, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over
one sinner ... sons: 12 and the younger of them said to his father, Father ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/b the second stages chs.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... 77]355; a sort of rule, ie, over plants, [78 ... 57; selfishness incident to, [322]241;
contrary to God's intention, [323 ... testifies to a judgment, [331]326; joy of a ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm