Definition and Concept
Overruling, in a biblical context, refers to the divine act of God intervening in human affairs to bring about His sovereign will and purpose. This concept underscores the belief in God's ultimate authority and control over all creation, including the actions and decisions of individuals and nations. Overruling is often seen as God's way of redirecting events to align with His divine plan, even when human intentions may be contrary.

Biblical Examples

1. Joseph and His Brothers
One of the most prominent examples of overruling in the Bible is 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, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." This illustrates how God can overrule human intentions to fulfill His redemptive plan.

2. Pharaoh's Hardened Heart
In the account of the Exodus, God overruled Pharaoh's resistance to let the Israelites go. Despite Pharaoh's hardened heart, God used the situation to demonstrate His power and deliver His people. Exodus 9:12 states, "But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had told Moses." This shows God's sovereignty in using even the obstinacy of rulers to achieve His purposes.

3. The Crucifixion of Jesus
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of divine overruling. Human authorities intended to eliminate Jesus, but God used their actions to bring about salvation for humanity. Acts 2:23 declares, "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 highlights how God's plan can prevail through human actions, even those meant for evil.

Theological Implications

The concept of overruling emphasizes God's omnipotence and omniscience. It reassures believers that, despite the presence of evil and suffering in the world, God is actively working to bring about His good purposes. Romans 8:28 affirms this truth: "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."

Practical Application

For believers, the doctrine of overruling provides comfort and hope. It encourages trust in God's sovereignty, even in difficult circumstances. Understanding that God can overrule human plans and intentions helps Christians to remain steadfast in faith, knowing that God's purposes will ultimately prevail. This trust in divine overruling fosters a sense of peace and assurance in the midst of life's uncertainties.

Conclusion

While the concept of overruling is deeply rooted in the sovereignty of God, it also calls believers to align their lives with His will, seeking to be instruments of His purpose rather than obstacles. Through prayer, obedience, and faith, Christians participate in God's overarching plan, confident that He is able to bring good out of any situation.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Overrule.

2. (a.) Exerting controlling power; as, an overruling Providence.

Providential Overruling.
... 13TH DAY. Providential Overruling. "He is Faithful that Promised." ... Providential
Overruling. My soul! be still! thou art in the hands of thy Covenant God. ...
/.../macduff/the faithful promiser/13th day providential overruling.htm

The Unseen Watcher
... While nations have rejected God's principles, and in this rejection have wrought
their own ruin, yet a divine, overruling purpose has manifestly been at work ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 43 the unseen watcher.htm

Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
... be observed, first, that the Providence of God is to be considered with reference
both to the past and the future; and, secondly, that in overruling all things ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 use to be.htm

Introduction to First Edition.
... it realizes the hand of God in his personal dealings with him, how near He is, or
how clearly he feels the presence of that tremendous overruling Spirit which. ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/introduction to first edition.htm

An Instructive Truth
... Child of God, will you, for a moment, reflect upon the overruling power of
God even in the case of the most mighty and wicked of men? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/an instructive truth.htm

The Wonderful Unity of the Bible Attests Its Divine Authorship
... The more one really studies the Bible the more one is convinced that behind the
many human mouths there is One overruling, controlling Mind. ...
/.../pink/the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter seven the wonderful unity.htm

Gifts Received for the Rebellious
... sufferings to them; and they were afterwards indebted to him for their lives,
subsistence, honour and comfort; God in a wonderful manner overruling their evil ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxix gifts received for.htm

Acts IX
... The child was being educated, under the eye of an overruling Providence,
for a future unthought of by either himself or his parents. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts ix.htm

Daniel
... It is like them in its passionate belief in the overruling Providence of God and
in the sure consummation of His kingdom; but in its peculiar symbolism, imagery ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/daniel.htm

His Childhood and Youth.
... the journey of the magi from the distant East; the dim light of astrology; the
significant night-vision of Joseph; and God's providence overruling every event ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/his childhood and youth.htm

Overruling (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Overrule. 2. (a.) Exerting controlling power; as, an overruling
Providence. Multi-Version Concordance Overruling (2 Occurrences). ...
/o/overruling.htm - 7k

Overrun (4 Occurrences)

/o/overrun.htm - 8k

Necessity (22 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) That which makes an act or an event unavoidable; irresistible force;
overruling power; compulsion, physical or moral; fate; fatality. ...
/n/necessity.htm - 13k

Overruled (2 Occurrences)

/o/overruled.htm - 7k

Religion (23 Occurrences)
... destiny, to whom obedience, service, and honor are due; the feeling or expression
of human love, fear, or awe of some superhuman and overruling power, whether ...
/r/religion.htm - 101k

Dispersion (4 Occurrences)
... This, in the overruling providence of God, ultimately contributed in a great degree
toward opening the way for the spread of the gospel into all lands. ...
/d/dispersion.htm - 44k

Prophecy (37 Occurrences)
... intermediate prophecies also which hold an important place in the great chain of
events which illustrate the sovereignty and all-wise overruling providence of ...
/p/prophecy.htm - 55k

Sign (181 Occurrences)
... Most common of all were the local altars and mounds consecrated in simple and sincere
fashion to a belief in God's ruling and overruling providence (Joshua 4:1 ...
/s/sign.htm - 46k

Providence (3 Occurrences)
... view of human freedom, while the Essenes were believers in absolute fate; the Pharisees,
avoiding these extremes, believed in both the overruling providence of ...
/p/providence.htm - 44k

Anem (1 Occurrence)
... to him, not because it is a record of events that actually happened, but because
he sees in it the ever-present guidance and overruling determination of God ...
/a/anem.htm - 101k

Overruling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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