Sovereignty matters iain hepburnoutlook com Sovereignty The quality

Sovereignty matters

• iain. hepburn@outlook. com

Sovereignty The quality or state of being the sovereign, having supreme power or authority. • When it comes to God, this idea of a ruler with whom the authority resides. He is therefore often called a King or King of kings: You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob! (Psalm 44: 4)

Sovereignty • The paraphernalia of monarch is also attributed to him: • A throne (Psa. 9: 4; 11: 4; 93: 2; Isa. 66: 1 cf. Heb. 8: 1) • A sceptre (Psa. 2: 9; 45: 6 cf. Heb. 1: 8) • A crown (Isa. 28: 5) • The crown is also a reference to the royal status of the people (Eze. 16: 12; Zec. 9: 16), or that they are a crown on the head of God (Isa. 62: 3). • It is also specifically seen to be on the head of the Messiah/ Christ (Psa. 132: 8; Rev. 14: 14).

Sovereignty • With the monarchy comes authority ‘El-yon ( )עליון • Meaning… ‘the ascended one’ • Often rendered ‘Most High’ • (Gen. 14: 18; Psa. 57: 2; 73: 11; 78: 35; 107: 11). For you, YHWH, are El-yon over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. (Psalm 97: 9)

Jeremiah 29: 11 God as a weaver?

Jeremiah 29: 11 • (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. • (MSG) I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. • (GNB) I alone know the plans I have • Take 5 minutes and discuss with for you, plans to bring you the person next to you the prosperity and not disaster, plans differences between the to bring about the future you hope translations and what impact if for. any these differences could make.

Jeremiah 29: 11 • (ESV) For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. • (KJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. • Take 5 minutes and discuss with the person next to you what differences have been added with the inclusion of the ESV and the NKJV. • (LXX) και λογιουμαι εφ υμας λογισμον ειρηνης και ου κακα του δουναι υμιν ταυτα • (Translation) And I will make an inventory over you, a record of peace and certainly not harm to give you this (i. e. peace).

Jeremiah 29: 11 • The Hebrew text says: יהוה - נאם - המחשבת אשר אנכי חשב עליכם - כי אנכי ידעתי את מחשבות שלום ולא לרעה לתת לכם אחרית ותקוה (IH) For I know the texture that I have weaved over you, says YHWH a tapestry of shalom and not of evil to give you an expected end.

Word six: מחשבת Texture/ tapestry For I know the texture that I have weaved over you… a tapestry (intricate cloth). Meaning in use • The word can be used to infer cunning or intricacy • More natural rendering = weaving. • Weaving the intention in Exodus (26: 1; 35: 33, 35). 1 "Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skilfully embroidered into them. (Exodus 26: 1) • The use of the term as a noun can be seen in Exodus 35: 35 (cf. 35: 33): 35 He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of workman or skilled designer. (Exodus 35: 35)

Word six: מחשבת Texture/ tapestry For I know the texture that I have weaved over you… a tapestry (intricate cloth). • Impact = provides a suitable metaphor of the weaver and the texture in his hands as he makes his tapestry. • Underlines the intent in the Hebrew that here we have no mere plans. • A helpful analogy to understand the sovereignty of God.

Word seven: שלום An end to suffering • Shalom– Normally rendered ‘peace’ better understood being complete: 17 my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what it is to be complete. (Lamentations 3: 17) • It is an antonym to suffering and as a contrast to evil (Psa. 34: 14).

Word seven: שלום An end to suffering Meaning in use • A common term (used 236 times), it can mean: • • • Being well having been sick (Gen. 29: 6; 2 Ki. 5: 22), A sense of good accord between people (Gen. 37: 14; 1 Sa. 20: 7) The peace found in death (Gen. 15: 15; 2 Ki. 22: 20; 2 Ch 34: 28 Prince of Shalom (Isa. 9). End of suffering/ post-judgement (Psa. 37: 11, 37; Eze. 34: 25; 37: 26). In the context of the exile brought about through the failures of the people, the promise of Shalom is striking and beautiful.

Word eight: תקוה Expected/ ‘expecting’ • The word is often used to describe an ‘expecting’, though usually desperate and often in vain. It has connotations of pregnancy. Meaning in use • The word is used 34 times (Job x 12) and at a literal level means a thread or cord (such as Jos. 2: 18, 21). • More commonly used to convey a sense of desperate longing (Job 6: 8; Psa. 9: 18; 62: 8) • Vain hope (Job. 8: 13; 14: 19; 27: 8; Pro. 10: 28; Eze. 37: 11). • A form of expectation (Pro. 24: 14). • Used to specifically describe the hope in pregnancy or childbearing (Rth. 1: 12; Jer. 31: 17).

Word eight: תקוה Expected/ ‘expecting’ Meaning in use • It is also used to specifically describe the hope in pregnancy or childbearing (Rth. 1: 12; Jer. 31: 17). 12 Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a man. If I should say I have the chance of expecting, even if I should have a man this night and should bear sons (Ruth 1: 12) 17 There is hope for your future, declares the LORD, and your children shall come back to their own country. (Jeremiah 31: 17)

Word nine: אחרית At the end • Rendered in my translation as ‘end’ it combines with the sense of expectancy to show that there is to be a time of pain that will end. Meaning in use • Occurring 61 times it is strictly speaking the ‘utmost point’: If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea… (Psalm 139: 9)

Word nine: אחרית At the end Meaning in use • It is as the ‘end’ of something, used to describe: • The salvation of God saving people even if they cry out at the very last moment (Deu. 4: 30). • The end of a set period of time such as a year (Deu. 11: 12). • The last days of a persons’ life (Gen. 49: 1; Num. 23: 10; Job 8: 9; 42: 12; Pro. 5: 4, 11). • End of a nation (Num. 24: 14, 20; Deu. 31: 29; 32: 20; Eze. 38: 8). • The judgement of God (Psa. 37: 37, 38; 73: 17; 109: 13; Jer. 12: 4; Amo. 8: 10). • The last / latter days (Isa. 2: 2; 46: 10; Jer. 23: 20; 30: 24; 48: 47; 49: 39; Eze. 38: 16; Hos. 3: 5; Mic. 4: 1). • It also lends itself to being used to describe an eternal destination (Pro. 24: 14, 24).

Conclusions on God as a weaver • Sovereignty needs to understood alongside the concept of Shalom and Acaereeth • We have here a sovereign God who uses his authority and power to wipe away every tear. To provide hope to the hopeless and an end more glorious than we can possibly imagine.

Word ten: יהוה שמה YHWH is there • From the word for ‘there’ ( ) שם for once it is not the Hebrew that is difficult! • The simple provides something special when used alongside the relational name of God is striking. • It is found in Ezekiel 48: 35 in connection to the New Jerusalem: 35 The circumference of the city shall be 18, 000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, YHWH is There. " (Ezekiel 48: 35)

Word ten: יהוה שמה YHWH is there Why would we include this term in a discussion of sovereignty? Why is it an important Hebrew word?

Word ten: יהוה שמה YHWH is there And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. " (Revelation 21: 3 -4) 3