Dr. Couch, you often write about the absolute sovereignty of God found in Scripture. Is John 12:39-41 also a sovereignty passage?
ANSWER: Yes, indeed! John quotes Isaiah 53:1 to show that Israel was judicially blinded and would not trust in their own Messiah. For God "has blinded their eyes, and He hardened their heart; lest they see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, and be converted, and I heal them." John then adds that Isaiah saw the glory of God, and he spoke of Him. Some say that John is saying Isaiah saw the glory of Christ, Israel's Messiah, and thus spoke of Him! Many in Israel were blinded because of wanting the approval of men. Nevertheless, the blinding is a judicial work of God. People do not come to the Lord just by accident. Their sinful depravity keeps them from accepting Him. The Holy Spirit must do His sovereign work or no one would be saved!
You cannot escape the sovereignty of God in the Bible. He is in charge of His creation. And because of total depravity, no one will come to the Lord apart from His absolute sovereign work.
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
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