The concept of being "overruled" in a biblical context often refers to God's sovereign ability to redirect or change the course of human plans and decisions to fulfill His divine purposes. This theme is prevalent throughout Scripture, illustrating the supremacy of God's will over human intentions.

Biblical Instances of Overruling

1. Joseph and His Brothers: One of the most profound examples of God overruling human intentions is found in the account of Joseph. His brothers sold him into slavery, intending harm, but God used their actions for a greater purpose. In Genesis 50:20 , Joseph tells his brothers, "As for you, you intended evil against me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." This passage highlights how God can transform malevolent human actions into opportunities for His providential care and deliverance.

2. Balaam's Prophecies: In Numbers 22-24, Balaam is hired by Balak to curse Israel. However, God overrules Balaam's intentions, causing him to bless Israel instead. Numbers 23:8 states, "How can I curse whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced?" This narrative demonstrates God's control over the words and actions of individuals, ensuring that His blessings prevail over curses.

3. The Crucifixion of Jesus: The crucifixion is the ultimate example of God overruling human plans for His redemptive purpose. The religious leaders and Roman authorities intended to eliminate Jesus, but God used their actions to bring about salvation for humanity. Acts 2:23 explains, "He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross." This event underscores the truth that God's redemptive plan cannot be thwarted by human schemes.

Theological Implications

The doctrine of God's sovereignty is central to understanding the concept of being overruled. Scripture affirms that God's purposes are unchangeable and His plans are always accomplished. Proverbs 19:21 states, "Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail." This verse reassures believers that despite human intentions, God's will is ultimately fulfilled.

Human Responsibility and Divine Sovereignty

While God has the power to overrule human actions, Scripture also emphasizes human responsibility. The interplay between divine sovereignty and human free will is a mystery that is acknowledged but not fully explained in the Bible. Believers are called to trust in God's wisdom and submit to His will, knowing that He works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

Practical Application

Understanding that God can overrule human plans encourages believers to seek His guidance in all decisions. James 4:13-15 advises, "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.' You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.'" This passage teaches humility and reliance on God's will in our daily lives.

In summary, the biblical theme of being overruled serves as a reminder of God's ultimate authority and the assurance that His purposes will be accomplished, regardless of human intentions.(imp. & p. p.) of Overrule.

Prosperity under Persecution
... extinct. But God met and overruled this policy in various ways. ... Christ.
So you see persecution is overruled for this great good. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/prosperity under persecution.htm

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
... 2. The evil of temptation is overruled for good to the godly. The evil of temptation
works for good. ... (3). These temptations are overruled for good. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the worst things work for.htm

Introduction.
... Latimer was next summoned before Wolsey, whom he satisfied so well that Wolsey
overruled the Bishop's inhibition, and Latimer again became a free preacher in ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/introduction.htm

Elucidation.
... This Council of Carthage sustains Cyprian also in his judgment concerning the question
of baptism, and it is a mistake to say that it was ever overruled. ...
/.../cyprian/the seventh council of carthage under cyprian/elucidation.htm

Preface.
... His Passion, "That they all may be one." And may every word in this little book,
which is not in accordance with God's will, be pardoned, and overruled to His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/preface.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... But God saw what he did hot know, that their jealousy and enmity would be
overruled for the temporal salvation of the family and nation. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

Addresses on Holiness,
... You see, his infirmities were only those defects of mind and body which were capable
of being overcome and overruled by grace, to the glory of Christ and to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter xii addresses on holiness.htm

The Death of Saint Patrick.
... Then, again, that objection is overruled by those who assert that some other
root or some cereal might have been used in their stead. ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter fifteen the death of.htm

Jacob-Wrestling
... Well, we see here how the whole of Jacob's life was laid out, and overruled, and
visited of God in order to teach Jacob to pray, in order to make Jacob a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/iv jacob-wrestling.htm

A Battle with Smallpox
... The congregation was exposed before he knew what was the matter, but God overruled,
answering the prayers of his children to protect all in attendance. ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xx a battle with.htm

Overruled (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Overrule. Multi-Version Concordance
Overruled (2 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 24:4 Notwithstanding ...
/o/overruled.htm - 7k

Providence (3 Occurrences)
... Comp. 1 Samuel 6:6; Exodus 7:13; 14:17; Acts 2:3; 3:18; 4:27, 28), and as controlled
(Psalm 76:10) and overruled for good (Genesis 50:20; Acts 3:13). ...
/p/providence.htm - 44k

Over-ripe (1 Occurrence)
Over-ripe. Over-righteous, Over-ripe. Overruled . Multi-Version Concordance
Over-ripe (1 Occurrence). ... Over-righteous, Over-ripe. Overruled . Reference
/o/over-ripe.htm - 6k

Overruling (2 Occurrences)

/o/overruling.htm - 7k

Teraphim (14 Occurrences)
... Saul, forsaken by God and possessed by the evil spirit, had resorted to teraphim
(as he afterwards resorted to witchcraft); and God overruled evil for good ...
/t/teraphim.htm - 13k

Inspiration (4 Occurrences)
... land. Backsliding, rebellion, failure, do not defeat God's purpose, but
are overruled to carry it on to a surer completion. The ...
/i/inspiration.htm - 57k

Comparative
... So does Christianity quite as forcibly (Galatians 6:7, 8). But neither Indian faith
explains how sin can be forgiven, evil be overruled for good, nor how, by ...
/c/comparative.htm - 29k

Apostles'
... The conflict has been overruled for good in leading to a more thorough examination
than ever before of the history and meaning of the creed, but it has given ...
/a/apostles'.htm - 20k

Creed
... The conflict has been overruled for good in leading to a more thorough examination
than ever before of the history and meaning of the creed, but it has given ...
/c/creed.htm - 43k

Criticism (1 Occurrence)
... times. Such evidence must be paid all possible respect and must be overruled
only on the most imperative considerations. However ...
/c/criticism.htm - 101k

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