Disregard for God's Sovereignty in Scripture

Disregard for God's sovereignty in Scripture manifests in various forms, often characterized by rebellion, unbelief, and a rejection of divine authority. This disregard is not merely an oversight but an active turning away from God's established order and character ^{[3, 6]}.

One primary expression of disregarding God's sovereignty is rebellion. The Psalmist describes those who "tempted and rebelled against the Most High God, and didn’t keep his testimonies" ^[1]. This rebellion can involve rejecting God's government, as seen when Israel desired a king, which Samuel interpreted as rejecting God as their king [1 Samuel 8:7, 15:23; 4]. Isaiah speaks of "transgressing and denying Yahweh, and turning away from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt" ^[2]. Such actions are explicitly forbidden in Scripture and are said to provoke God [Numbers 14:9, 16:30; Nehemiah 9:26; 4]. John Gill notes that this can include transgressing the doctrine of Christ and denying His deity ^[6].

Unbelief also demonstrates a disregard for God's sovereignty. Deuteronomy 9:23 describes Israel's rebellion as a refusal to believe God and obey His voice. This unbelief can be seen in distrusting God's power or despising His counsels [Psalm 107:11; Ezekiel 17:15; 4]. Calvin argues that doubting God's truth is a profound insult to Him, as it questions His very nature ^[7]. He further states that unbelief is the root of defection, as faith is what unites humanity to God ^[8]. When people doubt God's truth, they deny His majesty and worship ^{[7, 8]}.

Blasphemy is another severe form of disregarding God's sovereignty. It involves speaking evil of God, His name, or His authority ^[4]. Examples include denying His uniqueness and rejecting His demand for exclusive worship, as seen in the worship of false gods [Deuteronomy 7:25; 11]. Caiaphas considered Jesus' claim to be the exalted Son of Man as blasphemy against God's majesty [Matthew 26:65; 10]. John Gill interprets the "beast" in Revelation as blaspheming God by assuming divine prerogatives, such as infallibility, and promoting idolatrous practices [Revelation 13:6; 12]. Torrey's Topical Textbook links blasphemy to the actions of "fools" who deny and reproach God [Psalm 74:18, 22; 7].

Disregard for God's sovereignty can also manifest through practical actions and attitudes. This includes ignorance of God, which leads to error, idolatry, alienation from God, and sinful lusts ^[5]. Those who are ignorant of God may not keep His commands or live in sin [1 John 2:4, 3:6; Titus 1:16; 6]. Selfishness, characterized by seeking one's own interests rather than God's or others', is contrary to God's law and is hated by Him [Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39; Malachi 1:10; 8]. Furthermore, a superficial worship that uses pious language but lacks true commitment to God's word is also a form of disregard [Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8; Mark 7:6-7; 17]. Such actions imply a disbelief or disregard of God's government [Psalm 10:11; 9].

The consequences of such disregard are significant. Scripture indicates that there is "no respect of persons with God" [Romans 2:11], meaning that all who disregard His sovereignty will face judgment. The wicked, who choose ignorance of God, will face punishment [Psalm 79:6; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 6]. The prophet Jeremiah describes the shame and confusion that cover those who have sinned against the Lord, acknowledging their transgressions against God's law and their rejection of the Gospel [Jeremiah 3:25; 14].

Sources

Psalms “Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God, and didn’t keep his testimonies; -- Psalms 78:56”
Isaiah “transgressing and denying Yahweh, and turning away from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. -- Isaiah 59:13”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Rebellion Against God — Forbidden -- Nu 14:9; Jos 22:19. Provokes God -- Nu 16:30; Ne 9:26. Provokes Christ -- Ex 23:20,21; 1Co 10:9. Vexes the Holy Spirit -- Isa 63:10. Exhibited in Unbelief. -- De 9:23; Ps 106:24,25. Rejecting his government. -- 1Sa 8:7; 15:23. Revolting from him. -- Isa 1:5; 31:6. Despising his law. -- Ne 9:26. Despising his counsels. -- Ps 107:11. Distrusting his power. -- Eze 17:15. Murmuring against him. -- Nu 20:3,10. Refusing to hearken to him. -- De 9:23; Eze 20:8; Zec 7:11. Departing from him. -- Isa 59:13. Rebellion against governors appoi”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Blasphemy — In the sense of speaking evil of God this word is found in Ps. 74:18; Isa. 52:5; Rom. 2:24; Rev. 13:1, 6; 16:9, 11, 21. It denotes also any kind of calumny, or evil-speaking, or abuse (1 Kings 21:10; Acts 13:45; 18:6, etc.). Our Lord was accused of blasphemy when he claimed to be the Son of God (Matt. 26:65; comp. Matt. 9:3; Mark 2:7). They who deny his Messiahship blaspheme Jesus (Luke 22:65; John 10:36). Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost (Matt. 12:31, 32; Mark 3:28, 29; Luke 12:10) is regarded by some as a continued and obstinate rejection of the gospel,”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ignorance of God — Ignorance of Christ is -- Joh 8:19. Evidenced by Want of love. -- 1Jo 4:8. Not keeping his commands. -- 1Jo 2:4. Living in sin. -- Tit 1:16; 1Jo 3:6. Leads to Error. -- Mt 22:29. Idolatry. -- Isa 44:19; Ac 17:29,30. Alienation from God. -- Eph 4:18. Sinful lusts. -- 1Th 4:5; 1Pe 1:14. Persecuting saints. -- Joh 15:21; 16:3. Is no excuse for sin -- Le 4:2; Lu 12:48. The wicked, in a state of -- Jer 9:3; Joh 15:21; 17:25; Ac 17:30. The wicked choose -- Job 21:14; Ro 1:28. Punishment of -- Ps 79:6; 2Th 1:8. Ministers should Compassionate those in. -- ”
Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 59:13: In transgressing and lying against the Lord,.... The word of the Lord, as the Targum; they transgress the doctrine of Christ, as well as the law of God, and deny him the only Lord God, even our Lord Jesus Christ, his proper deity, his righteousness, and satisfaction, which is notorious in our days; so the Syriac version renders it, we have denied the Lord; the Lord that bought them: this is the case of many under a profession of Christ: and departing away from our God: from following him, from walking in his ways, from attending his worship, word, and ordinances;”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 13.16: of the power of God in confirmation of what he had said. The same goodness of God is now also displayed towards men, to whom he exercises such forbearance, when he might justly have been offended at them; for how shockingly do they insult God, when they doubt his truth? What do you leave to God, if you take that from him? And whatever may be our doubts, not only does he pardon us, but even aids our distrust, and not only by his word, but by adding miracles; and he exhibits them not only to believers, but also to the ungodly, which we may beh”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 7.18: impunity in contempt of this word, yet arrogate to themselves a chief rank among the worshippers of God. But as God does not manifest himself to men otherwise than through the word, so neither is his majesty maintained, nor does his worship remain secure among us any longer than while we obey his word. Therefore, unbelief was the root of defection; just as faith alone unites us to God. Hence flowed ambition and pride, so that the woman first, and then her husband, desired to exalt themselves against God. For truly they did exalt t”

Ask Your Own Question