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The God Who Is
Chapter 12
PREDESTINATION
Predestination, also known as "The Decrees of God," is the second work of God. By the word "predestination" we mean "the predetermined plan of God that marks out His purpose in all things for all times." The Westminster Shorter Catechism defines it as God's "eternal purpose, according to the counsel of His own will whereby, for His own glory, He hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass."
Some well-meaning people say they do not believe in predestination, yet the Bible uses the word four times in addition to using many sister words such as "foreordained." The Bible teaches that God has indeed "foreordained whatsoever comes to pass."
Its Biblical Basis
We want to examine what the Bible teaches about predestination. First, we will examine the Biblical foundation for the doctrine. Then, we will look at predestination as it relates to salvation. Third, we will look at the blessedness of the doctrine, and will close with reasons that reverence is due God on account of this doctrine. To ignore the doctrine of predestination is to detract from the nature and the work of God.
The Famine Sent Upon Egypt
The doctrine of predestination extends to all things. In Genesis chapter 41, beginning in verse 28, we read, "This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharoah: `What God is about to do he showeth unto Pharoah. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: and there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; and the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of the famine following; for it shall be very grievous.
"`And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharoah twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.'" Note first, that it was God, and not the Devil, who brought the famine upon Egypt. Note second, "the thing," i.e. the famine, is "established" by God. It is therefore certain and shortly to be.
The Enslavement of Joseph
In Genesis chapter 50, beginning in verse 15, we read, "And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, `Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.' And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, `Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father.'
And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, `Behold, we be thy servants.' And Joseph said unto them, `Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.'" It was not the Devil who enslaved Joseph, but God; and He did it in order to save the lives of many people.
God can bring good out of intended evil. He brought famine upon Egypt to effect His own will. He caused His people to be enslaved in Egypt, and Joseph to be jailed; but it was all designed to bring about His purpose.
The Declaration of God
In Isaiah chapter 46, beginning in verse 9, we read, "Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, `My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:' calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it." Note that God has declared the end from the beginning; that it is He who has purposed it; and that it is He who will bring it to pass.
The Fall of A Sparrow
Jesus said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father," i.e. without His effecting it (Matthew 10:29). Two sparrows may be of little significance to men, but "one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father." God has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
The Way of A Man
In Proverbs chapter 16, note verse 9: "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps." Men may make their plans, but they will never be carried out unless God intends for them to be carried out. All things operate according to the plan God has set in motion. There is no such thing as Fate, or Chance, or Luck. We can lay down at night and sleep because, "The lot," or the die, "is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD" (verse 33).