The concept of the counsels and purposes of God being wonderful is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting the divine wisdom, sovereignty, and benevolence of God in His dealings with creation and humanity. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, revealing the multifaceted nature of God's plans and the awe they inspire in believers.

Divine Wisdom and Sovereignty

The Bible frequently emphasizes the wisdom and sovereignty of God in His plans. Isaiah 28:29 declares, "This also comes from the LORD of Hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom." Here, the prophet Isaiah acknowledges that God's counsel is not only wise but also wonderful, surpassing human understanding. This divine wisdom is further highlighted in Romans 11:33 : "O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!"

God's Purposes in Creation and Redemption

From the creation narrative to the redemptive work of Christ, God's purposes are revealed as both grand and intricate. In Ephesians 1:9-10 , Paul writes, "And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ." This passage underscores the centrality of Christ in God's redemptive plan, a purpose that is both mysterious and wonderful.

The Fulfillment of Prophecy

The fulfillment of prophecy is another testament to the wonderful nature of God's counsels. In Isaiah 9:6 , the coming of the Messiah is foretold: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." The title "Wonderful Counselor" reflects the extraordinary nature of Christ's role in God's plan, a fulfillment that brings hope and salvation to humanity.

God's Providential Care

The providential care of God is a recurring theme that illustrates His wonderful purposes. In Romans 8:28 , Paul assures believers, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." This verse highlights the comforting truth that God's purposes, though sometimes hidden, are ultimately for the good of His people.

The Mystery of God's Will

While God's purposes are wonderful, they are also often mysterious. In Job 42:3 , Job acknowledges, "You asked, 'Who is this who conceals My counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know." This acknowledgment of the mystery and majesty of God's plans invites believers to trust in His wisdom, even when His purposes are beyond human comprehension.

The Assurance of God's Promises

The assurance of God's promises is a source of hope and wonder for believers. In Jeremiah 29:11 , God declares, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope." This promise reflects the benevolent and purposeful nature of God's plans for His people, inspiring trust and confidence in His wonderful counsels.

Conclusion

The counsels and purposes of God, as revealed in Scripture, are indeed wonderful. They reflect His infinite wisdom, sovereign will, and loving care for His creation. Through the fulfillment of prophecy, the mystery of His will, and the assurance of His promises, believers are invited to marvel at the depth and beauty of God's divine plans.Isaiah 28:29
This also comes forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of Predestination
... If we should speak properly, there are not counsels and purposes in God ... we have many
thoughts, about many things, so we cannot well conceive of God but in ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xv of predestination.htm

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
... 574] And by that faith, through which justification, a fruit itself of the Divine
counsels, is bestowed ... As in every case the purposes of God harmonize with ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.htm

The Lord Reigneth
... Great and marvellous is this L ORD God Omnipotent in ... He directs and overrules the
counsels and purposes of ... schemes, is only the accomplishment of His purposes. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxvi the lord reigneth.htm

Eighteenth Lesson Whose is this Image?'
... God, so capable of entering into God's purposes, and carrying ... sin has for a time
frustrated God's plans, prayer ... liberty, the executor of the counsels of the ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/eighteenth lesson whose is this.htm

The Kingdom of God.
... giving the signs, the warnings, the counsels to us only ... he spoke"the most awful and
wonderful of them ... and tell us that, for practical purposes, God's laws can ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon ix the kingdom of.htm

His Name --The Counsellor
... Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth, thou, Lord ... thou hast determined thy
plans and purposes, and they ... there was such a Counsellor with God, and how ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/his namethe counsellor.htm

Jowett -- Apostolic Optimism
... in an optimistic evangel, in which he counsels his fellow ... as an irrelevant factor
in the purposes of common ... his sense of the wealthy, redeeming ministry of God. ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/jowett apostolic optimism.htm

Paul in Malta and Rome.
... If the counsels of God are absolutely fixed, it has been said, they will ... to assert
a very simple and self-evident truth, that the purposes of God will not ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxix paul in malta.htm

Strength and Indwelling.
... from the standpoint of the Divine purposes, this prayer ... primarily and perhaps almost
exclusively God's love to ... of the extent of the Divine counsels; its "length ...
/.../thomas/the prayers of st paul/viii strength and indwelling.htm

"He is the Rock, his Work is Perfect, for all his Ways are ...
... works unless ye could wade the depth of his counsels, else ye ... Though God often change
his work, do not think he changes his counsel and purposes as men do ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon ii he is the.htm

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