Author: JUV Interpreter
Company: Bexar County Information Technology

Unknown God
Acts 17:22-31
For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

Attributes of God – Exo. 34:6 
Aseity (no need) Acts 17:25
Eternity Psalm 90:2
Goodness Rom. 2:4, Psalm 145:7
Righteousness Gen. 18:25, Rom. 1:17
Holiness Rev. 4:8
Transcendence Isa. 57:15
Immanence Deut. 4:7
Immensity 1 Kings 8:27
Immutable James 1:17
Almighty Gen. 18:24, Job 42:2, Jer. 32:27, Mar. 10:27
Ever-present Psalm 139:8
All-knowing Psalm 147:5
Grace 1 Pe. 2:2-3
Love 1 John 4:16
Truth Titus 1:2
Spirit John 4:24
Trinity Mat. 28:19, 1 John 5:7

Finding God, Fearing God, Hearing God, Choosing God, Knowing God
There is no complete knowledge of God – impossible
Isa. 40:28 no searching
Psalm 145:3 unsearchable
Rom. 11:33 unsearchable

1. Knowing God – as an intellectual objective of life (ancients understood, moderns don’t)
Acts 17:22-31 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Jeremiah 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me,

2. Knowing God – as a way of life (definition of, foundation of, motivation for, morality)
Jeremiah 9:3 And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:6 Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.Jeremiah 22:16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD.
3. Knowing God – as salvation
Jeremiah 24:7 And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.
Jeremiah 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Galatians 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
1John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

4. Knowing God – as the objective of salvation (what offends him, interests him, motivates him, delights him)
Php 3:8-11 That I may know him…
1Chronicles 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
John 8:55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
Rom. 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
2 Cor. 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Eph. 3:19  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Jealousy
Popular imagination of God is a passive, self-sacrificing, self-effacing, tolerant, enabling, gentlemanly grandfather figure, much like Santa Claus. His attitude is not resentful, not angry, not demanding, not judgmental, not preachy, not nit-picky and not jealous.

Jealousy understood:
Wiktionary: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/jealous
1. Suspecting rivalry in love; troubled by worries that one might have been replaced in someone's affections; suspicious of a lover or spouse's fidelity. [from 13th c.]
2. Protective, zealously guarding, careful in the protection of something one has or appreciates. [from 14th c.]
1611, KJV
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: —Exodus 34:14 
3. Envious; feeling resentful or angered toward someone for a perceived advantage or success, material or otherwise. [from 14th c.] [This is a deviation from the true meaning, but so common as to become an accepted use of the word, and even the most common modern use in speech.]
1891, Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray
I am jealous of everything whose beauty does not die.
1899, Mark Twain, The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg
The neighbouring towns were jealous of this honourable supremacy.
4. Suspecting, suspicious. [This is a metaphorical extension, invoking only one aspect of jealousy (the suspicion associated with it). It doesn’t really amount to a separate definition in my view.]
1823, Walter Scott, Quentin Durward
…he mentioned what had happened in the Franciscan convent near Namur, how the Bohemian had been expelled from the holy house, and how, jealous of his behaviour, he had dogged him to a rendezvous …where he overheard them arrange a plan for surprising the ladies who were under his protection.

Jealousy misunderstood:
https://www.pathwaytohappiness.com/relationship_jealousy.html
Overcoming Jealousy, and Control in Relationships
Jealousy and anger are emotional reactions to believing scenarios in your mind that are not true. By changing what you believe you change what your imagination is projecting and you can eliminate these destructive emotional reactions.  Even when there is justification for the reaction, jealousy and anger are not beneficial ways to deal with the situation and get what we want.
[In this article “jealousy” is confused with insecurity, a common fault in marital relationships, where one partner wants to exercise control over the other, finding fault with all other relationships, even non-romantic ones, and even family connections. This is a sloppy misuse of the word. In no way is God like this, nor is there any reasonable excuse for imposing such insecurity on another person.]

God’s Jealousy

Joshua 24:15-27 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.

Jealousy is from God
	God invented it, put it in us 
	Numbers 5:11-31 Law of jealousies
Jealousy is like God – God is jealous
	Ex. 34:14 name is Jealous
	God is romantic also, invented it, intervened often (Eve, Rebekah, Ruth, etc.),
Jealousy is about God – built into us so we can understand him
	God is preparing himself a bride
	Eze 16:8 thine was a time of love
	Eph. 5:25-28 Christ loved the Church
Jealousy presents God – God is courting you
	All of creation is a love letter to you, mockingbird’s song, etc.

Jealousy as natural built-in passion
	Not envy! Envy is about what is NOT yours, Jealousy is about what IS yours.
	Not insecurity! Not acceptable to use jealousy as an excuse to be selfish, self-centered, self-absorbed.
2 Cor. 11:2 Godly Jealousy
Numbers 5:11-31 Law of jealousies
Proverbs 6:34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
Song of Solomon 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

1. Jealousy as God’s right to your exclusive, fanatical devotion
	Images, False gods, misdirected devotion
Exodus 20:5 not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, 
Deuteronomy 5:9 not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God,
Exodus 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
Numbers 25:11 Phinehas was zealous for my sake, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.
Deuteronomy 4:15-24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
Deuteronomy 6:12-15 (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) 
Deuteronomy 29:15-29 the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man,
Deuteronomy 32:16 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.
1Kings 14:22-24 And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins
Psalms 78:58 they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.

2. Jealousy as God’s justifiable resentment over infidelity and failure to reciprocate
It should be reiterated that this jealousy is justified. Examples in nature abound, especially mammals fighting over the right to mate. Boys fighting over a girl, not appropriate for people, but not a mystery.
Ezekiel 8:3 and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.
Eze. 5:11 Wherefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish thee; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity.
2 Chr. 36:14 Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.
Eze 8:14  Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.
16 And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.
Jer. 7:18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.
Jer. 44:18 But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.
19 And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men?
25 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows.
Ezekiel 16:38 And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy.
1 Cor. 10:18-22 Offered in sacrifice to idols…to devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
Does our lack of reciprocity provoke God to jealousy? Our love of the world? Saints? Tradition? Mixture?
Critical for Christians to understand the nature of God here, for the churches have committed similar abominations as the ancient nation of Israel.

	Christianization of Roman Gods:
		Dionysius (also Bacchus)	St. Dionysius
		Bacchus (also Dionysius)	St. Bacchus
		Venus			St. Venera
		Artemis			St. Artemidos
		Helios			St. Elias
		Mars			St. Martin
		Brigid			St. Brigette
		Hermes			St. Hermes
Typical explanation by Roman Catholics
Pagan Gods and Saints of the Same Name  https://classroom.synonym.com/catholic-saints-and-pagan-gods-12085386.html
Sometimes a pagan God can be celebrated alongside -- or confused with -- a saint of the same name. This can lead to a belief that the Catholic Church has canonized a pagan god when it is merely a coincidence. St. Brigid of Ireland provides a terrific example. St. Brigid was a friend of Saint Patrick, and the Feast of Saint Brigid celebrates her, according to Catholic Online. The celebration, though, is often mistaken as a pagan celebration of the Celtic deity named Brigid. The deity Brigid did not become St. Brigid; a woman was named after the deity Brigid and later became a saint that happened to be named Brigid.

Notice that the mixture in the modern church, Roman, Greek and Protestant, is a product of many influences, such as ancient popular practices, devious Christian practices, sincere Christian substitution (making pagan culture acceptable), and simple compromise.
Apollo/Apollo, god of poetry (sun?)	
Aphrodite/Venus, goddess of love
Ares/Mars, god of battle	
Artemis/Diana, goddess of the hunt
Athena/Minerva, goddess of wisdom, art
Dionysus/Bacchus, god of wine
Eros/Cupid, god of love		
Gaia/Tellus, goddess of earth
Hades/Pluto, god of death
Hephaestus/Vulcan, god of fire
Hera/Juno, goddess of marriage
Heracles/Hercules, god of strength
Hermes/Mercury, messenger of the gods, god of travel
Janus, god of beginnings
Kronos/Saturn, god of harvest
Nike/Victoria, goddess of triumph
Poseidon/Neptune, god of the sea and earthquakes
Zeus/Jove or Jupiter, god of heaven, sky, storms

Romulus and Remus (founders of Rome) replaced by St. Peter and St. Paul

A Treatise on Relics, by John Calvin, translated 1854, https://books.google.com/books?id=jDcPAAAAIAAJ
The Two Babylons, by Alexander Hislop, 1853, https://www.cbcg.org/twobabylons.html
Hislop compares ancient Babylonian religion with modern Roman Catholicism and makes assumptions about their relationship. Some of these supposed links are probably erroneous, but many of his assumptions are compelling.
The Golden Bough, by James Frazer, 1922, https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Golden_Bough
	Written to undermine the Christian system by showing similar beliefs and practices in pagan mythology
Greek gods
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Roman_deities
Roman gods
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Greek_mythological_figures#Immortals
Roman Catholic saints
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_patron_saints_by_occupation_and_activity

3. Jealousy as God’s passion to protect his own
Jealousy against enemies of his own people
Ezekiel 39:25 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;
Joel 2:18 Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
Nahum 1:2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
Zechariah 1:14 So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
Zechariah 8:2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.

4. Jealousy as God’s motivation to restore
Psalms 79:5-6 How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?
Ezekiel 16:41 And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.
42 So will I make my fury toward thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry.
Hosea 2:5-20 Mother hath played the harlot…I will allure her…I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness:
Hosea 3:1-5 Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, 

5. Jealousy as God’s strategy to persuade Israel to seek him
Romans 10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
Romans 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Deu. 32:21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

Faithfulness of God
Deu. 7:9  (1-13) Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Related to Duty (diligence, determination, endurance) and Difficulty (challenge, unpleasantness)
not feelings, emotion, sentimentality,
not fancy, whim nor caprice, 
not impulse, urge, nor strong desire,

Psalm 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

Faithful: adjective
1. strict or thorough in the performance of duty: a faithful worker.
2. true to one's word, promises, vows, etc.
3. steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant: faithful friends.
4. reliable, trusted, or believed.
N/A:
5. adhering or true to fact, a standard, or an original; accurate:a faithful account; a faithful copy.
6. Obsolete. full of faith; believing.
Synonyms: true, devoted, staunch, constant, loyal, steadfast, firm,

Psalm 89:1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
8 O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?
24 But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.

As Creator (duty?)
1 Pe. 4:19 a faithful Creator,
Psalm 119:90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
As Judge
Rev. 19:11 Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war
Ps. 45:4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness;
Isa. 11:5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
As Witness
Jer. 42:5 The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not all things the LORD shall send thee to us.
Rev. 1:5 from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness,
Rev. 3:14 These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, 
As Counselor
Isa. 25:1 Counsels of old are faithfulness
Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Psalm 73:24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
Psalm 119:86 All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
Psalm 119:138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
Prov. 19:21  many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
Isa. 9:6 For unto us a child is born, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, Isa. 11:2 spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of counsel and might,
Isa. 28:29 This cometh from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.
Isa. 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, 
Acts 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Heb. 6:17 Wherein God, to shew unto the heirs the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
Rev. 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. Write: for these words are true and faithful.Rev 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
As Savior
Isa. 49:5 And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, 
7 Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
Isa. 54:9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
Jer. 33:20 Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season;21  Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.
25 Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth;26 Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.
Lam. 3:22  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
1 Cor. 1:8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called
2 Ti. 2:11  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.Heb. 10:23 for he is faithful that promised,
Heb. 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
As Protector/Provider
(in prayer, we tend to think in terms of current merit, or even the mood of God)
Psalm 143:1 A Psalm of David.  Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
1 Cor. 10:13 God is faithful, who will not suffer you  to be tempted above that ye are able; 
2 Ths. 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.	
Heb. 11:11 delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Rom. 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
As Priest / Advocate / Intercessor
(compared to the laziness, corruption, contempt from familiarity among leaders)
1 Sam. 2:35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do that which is in mine heart and in my mind:
Heb. 2:17 that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God
Heb. 3:2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
Heb. 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
1 Jn. 1:9 faithful and just to forgive,
1 Jn. 2:1,2 And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
As Father
Psalm 119:75 in faithfulness hast afflicted me
Prov. 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Psalm 89:32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
Heb. 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
God’s faithfulness is so preeminent in his self expression we need to consider his evaluation of us:
Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Fairness

Matthew 20:11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

What it means to be fair
Modern sense is often “equality.”  Or equal treatment. Equality is the foundation of modern sense of justice.
All under the same law, and judged by the same standards (including royalty and clergy)
One man, one vote. (incredibly “unfair” in one sense, novices having same authority as experienced)
Equal pay for equal work.
Equal income, rich must pay their “fair share.” (not an equal share, but the idea is it isn’t wrong to take from the rich because of inequality.)
Equal outcomes, laws intended to force a result, e.g. affirmative action, “federal promise program” (not arresting youths to prevent consequences), etc. This is where a focus on “equality” is demonstrably not always “fair.”

Equality is the reason behind:
Women’s liberation, within reason commendable, but fanatical includes the “right to abortion,” the inclusion of women as police, firefighters, combat troops, etc., the sexual revolution, the practical outcome of destruction of marriage,
Homosexual Marriage and Transgender “rights”
Political leftism, redistribution of wealth

We also include the concept of “reasonable”.

Oxford English Dictionary 1933
Fairness of conduct: free from bias, fraud or injustice. Equitable, legitimate. Not taking undue advantage. Disposed to concede a reasonable claim.
Fairness of conditions: Affording an equal chance of success.

Merriam Webster Online
a : marked by impartiality and honesty : free from self-interest, prejudice, or favoritism 
a very fair person to do business with
b (1) : conforming with the established rules : ALLOWED 
(2) : consonant with merit or importance : DUE .- a fair share
Synonyms: fair, just, equitable, impartial, unbiased, dispassionate, objective:  mean free from favor toward either or any side. Fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests.

Dictionary.Com
1. Fair, impartial, disinterested, unprejudiced refer to lack of bias in opinions, judgments, etc. Fair implies the treating of all sides alike, justly and equitably: a fair compromise.

Whether fairness is the appropriate objective
Fairness, or equality is not the only valuable criteria in life. Consider:
Righteousness. Justice is not always fair. But justice is always more important than fairness.
Function. For things to function they can’t be equal. (Equality in a very narrow focus is essential, not in the larger picture). Right hand / left hand. 
Need. 
Value.

God’s unfairness
Examples:
Wealth
Health
Gender
Intelligence
Heritage
Freedom
Opportunity
Gospel

Accusations of unfairness:
Death penalty under Moses’ law for: Adultery, Sabbath breaking, Homosexuality, Cursing parents, Stubborn disobedience in children, False prophecy, Consulting mediums, etc.
Bond-service,  (called slavery by modern Bibles)
Racism
Election
Hell
Gender roles

Ezekiel 18:25,29, 33:17,20 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?

Outcomes that we have no control over are almost always unfair, and there is no one to blame but God.

However:
His unfairness is actually unproven, evidence is lacking, many things we do not know.
Job 40:8 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
Romans 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
His unfairness is often (or by faith we can say always) mercy. 
Psalm 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
God’s reasons are not petty. When we are unfair our reasons are not often noble.

God’s fairness
God often is depicted as righteous and just, but never as “fair” (different meaning in the Bible). But consider when he is described as something similar to our sense of fairness:

Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Equal
Psalm 17:2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
Matthew 20:12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Corinthians 8:14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
Colossians 4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
Equity
Psalm 98:9 Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
Psalm 99:4 The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Prov. 1:3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
Proverbs 2:9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
Isaiah 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
Isaiah 59:14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.
Malachi 2:6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.
Impartiality
Malachi 2:9 Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.
1 Timothy 5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
James 2:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Not Accepting Persons
Job 13:10 He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.
Job 34:19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
Psalm 82:2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
Proverbs 18:5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Galatians 2:6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:

God’s Joy
(Happiness, Gladness, Joy, Rejoicing, Mirth, Merriness)

Gladness: umbrella term, general felicity
Joy: foundational, springs from within, inner, long-term contentment, survives temporal sadness
Happiness: rooted in circumstance (the hap)
Merriness: induced by celebration, festivals, wine (mirth, making merry)

“Smile” not found in the Bible
Numbers 6:25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

Eccl. 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Rev. 4:11 For thy pleasure were created
Gen. 1:31 Very good

God rejoicing:
Psalm 104:31 The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Rejoices with his people
Deuteronomy 30:9 And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:
Psalms 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Isaiah 62:5 For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
Isaiah 65:18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
Isa. 65:19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
Jeremiah 32:41 Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.
Zeph. 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Jesus rejoicing
Heb. 1.9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Luke 10:17-24 Jesus rejoiced in spirit, I thank thee
Luke 15:5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Luke 15:9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Luke 6:21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

God giving laughter
Genesis 17:17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
(Genesis 18:12 Sarah laughing in unbelief)
Genesis 21:6 And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
Neh. 12:43 God had made them rejoice with great joy
Job 8:21 [Bildad] Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.
Psalm 16:11 in thy presence is fullness of joy
Psalms 126:2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
Isaiah 35:10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Isaiah 51:3 For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

We are commanded to rejoice,
Deuteronomy 12:7 And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.
Deu. 12:12 And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God,
De. 12.18 But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto.
Deu. 14.26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,
Deuteronomy 16:11 And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, 
(Deu. 16.14,15, 27.7, 28.47, 1 Cro. 13.8, 15.16, 16.10, 2 Cro. 15.14,15, 30.26, etc.)
1 Chr. 16:10 glory ye, let the heart rejoice that seek the Lord
Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Psalm. 2.11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Meetings with joy
Solemn days are not joyless days (solemn means yearly, established, formal, or “serious” as in “important”, etc., but not grave, subdued, quiet, reserved, or “serious” in the sense of “somber”):
Num. 10:10 days of gladness and solemn days
Deut. 16:15 solemn feast surely rejoice
Meetings were expected to be joyous by design, including music, instruments, drums, songs, harmony, shouting, dancing, praise:
1 Chr. 6:32 ministered before the tabernacle with singing
1 Chr. 15:16 appoint brethren, instruments, lifting up the voice with joy
1 Chr. 23:5 David made instruments to praise with
1 Chr. 25:6 cymbals, psalteries, harps for the service of the house of God
2 Chr. 5:13 trumpeters and singers were as one, voice with trumpets and cymbals praised (harmony)
2 Chr. 15:14-15 all Judah rejoiced at the oath
2 Chr. 29:30 sang praises with gladness
Ezra 3:10-11 sons of Asaph with cymbals to praise the Lord, and they sang together by course…
Neh. 12:46 in the days of David and Asaph there were singers, and songs of praise
Psalm 9.2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.Psalm 42.4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
Psalm 100:1,2 Make a joyful noise, come before his presence with singing
Psalm 149:3 let them praise with dance, sing, harp
Psalm 150:3-4 timbrel, dance, strings, organs, cymbals, etc.

God’s intention for us to rejoice, about life, about salvation
Ecclesiastes 2:24  nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labour.
Ecclesiastes 2:26 For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy:
Ecclesiastes 3:12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works;
Ecclesiastes 5:18 good for one to enjoy the good of his labour  all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
Ecclesiastes 8:15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, drink, and be merry: 
Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
Ecclesiastes 9:9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity,
1Timothy 6:17 nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
Luke 10:20 in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

God expecting cheer in our daily living
Rom. 12:8 he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
2 Co. 9:7 Every man as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Acts 2:46 continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness 

Humor
There is significant difference between humor and joy
1 Cor. 1:25 The “foolishness” of God (relatively speaking)

Laughter itself not understood, humor not well defined, not much agreement on causation,

Humor, the faculty of perceiving what is ludicrous or amusing. (or funny, comical, jocular, hilarious, silly, farcical, laughable, tickling, etc.) (notice dictionaries use synonyms to define it, but don’t actually define it).

Alfred North Whitehead, “The total absence of humor from the Bible is one of the most singular things in all literature.”
Incongruity, inconsistency:
G.K. Chesterton: Humour, in the modern use of the term, signifies a perception of the comic or incongruous of a special sort;
Voltaire said, commenting on the judicial murder of Byng, “In England they kill one Admiral to encourage the others,”
Cap: Navy:  the beatings will continue until morale improves.
Max Eastman, humour is based in incongruity and surprise. (Can God be surprised?)

False expectation with surprise:
Charlie Chaplin, She steps right over the banana peel, Chaplin suggested, and she falls down an open manhole!  The Comic Muse built a false expectation and, like Eastman’s surprised child, we laugh when it is pulled away and some greater unforeseen possibility occurs. (Can God have false expectations?)
Peter McGraw  says 'humour only occurs when something seems wrong, unsettling, or threatening, but simultaneously seems okay, acceptable or safe'.
This is also the explanation of “tickling”.
Plato: the ridiculous is an ignorance in the weak, who are thus unable to retaliate when ridiculed.

Merriness, induced joy, making merry, producing laughter, perceiving irony, 
Prov. 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Prov. 15:15 merry heart hath a continual feast
Prov. 17:27 merry heart doeth good like a medicine

Warnings against Humor
Seriousness in life:
Eccl. 7:3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
Isa. 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Luke 6:25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
1 Ths. 5.6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, 
Tit. 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
James 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
1 Peter 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

Laughter of foolishness
Ecclesiastes 11:9 let thy heart cheer thee in thy youth: but know that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
Proverbs 29:9  If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
Ecclesiastes 2:2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
Ecclesiastes 7:6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
Ephesians 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Proverbs 15:21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
Proverbs 10:23  It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
Proverbs 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

Negative Humor:
Prov. 26:18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
Leviticus 19:14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.
Deuteronomy 27:18 Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Matthew 9:24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.Mark 5:40 And they laughed him to scorn. Luke 8:53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.

Using Humor as a distraction from contemplation and reality
Isa. 22:11,13 God call to weeping, behold joy, gladness, slaying oxen, eating flesh, drinking wine,
1 Cor. 15:32 if the dead rise not, let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
(Merriness often associated with drunkenness)

God has a sense of humor
(not just rejoicing in good things, but sarcasm, irony, satire, exaggeration, etc.)

1. God’s image placed within man
perceiving nature’s oddities: giraffe, elephant, platypus, ostrich, 
Laughter is unexplainable in “evolutionary” terms.  Artificial Intelligence cannot duplicate it. Spock on Star Trek.

2. God’s word describing himself
A. Exaggeration:
Mat. 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.(funny, but applicable to our debt).

B. God’s illustrations:
Prov. 11:22  As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
Prov. 27:14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
Prov. 22:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

C. Jesus’ imagery:
Matthew 23:24  Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. (Galma and Gamla)
Luke 6:41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
Matthew 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

D. Satire, ridicule, Sarcasm,  in the Bible?
Judges 10:14 Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.
Jer. 2:28 where are thy Gods thou hast made thee? Let them arise if they can save thee.
Job 12:2 No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.Job 13:5 O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.
Job 16:2 I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.
Isa. 44:8 Is there a God beside me? Yea, there is not God; I know not any
16 he burneth part thereof in the fire, he roasteth roast, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm,
17 And the residue therof he maketh a god; he falleth down unto it and prayeth, Deliver me
25 frustratethe the liars, maketh diviners mad; turneth wise men backward, maketh their knowledge foolish
Isa. 47:12 Stand now with thine enchantments, if so be thou shalt be able to profit,
13 Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, monthly prognosticators, stand up and save thee.
John 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

E. God laughing (not joy, but sarcasm, irony, etc.)
Psalms 2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Psalms 37:13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
Psalm 52:6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:7 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
Psalms 59:8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
Proverbs 1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

3. God’s inspired lives and stories
sense of humor on display, poetic justice, sarcasm, irony, ridicule
Inspired Stories in the Bible:

The blind man’s mud pie		John 9:6

Babel’s confusion			Gen. 11
Cain afraid of murderers		Gen. 4:13,14
Sons of Sceva, casting out devils	Acts 19:13-16
Chaldean magicians and astrologers	Dan. 2:3-12
Sosthenes beaten			Acts 18:17
Haman’s exaggerated frustrations	Esther 3:5,6
Rowing against the wind		Mark 6:45-51
Zacharias’ family			Luke 1:59-63
Jacob’s wedding night		Gen. 29:25
Aaron’s excuse			Ex. 32.24
Elijah mocking Baalites		1 Kings 18:26-28
Jehosaphat and Ahab		1 Kings 22:30
One more night with the frogs:	Exodus 8:8-10
Balaam arguing with his donkey	Numb. 22:28,29
Sodomites blinded without knowing it	Gen. 19:11
Forty hungry Jews			Acts 23:21
The second captain			2 Kings 1:11,12
Philistines and the Ark		1 Sam. 5

Sovereignty of God
Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Some definitions on line:
God orders everything, controls everything, and rules over everything.
Dr. R.C. Sproul said, “There is no maverick molecule if God is sovereign.”
The sovereignty of God is not merely that God has the power and right to govern all things, but that He does so, always and without exception. In other words, God is not merely sovereign de jure (in principle), but sovereign de facto (in practice).
Miguel Cervantes (in Don Quixote): "Leave it to God, Sancho," said Don Quixote, "for all will be and perhaps better than you think; no leaf on the tree stirs but by God's will."
Charles Spurgeon: I believe that every particle of dust that dances in the sunbeam does not move an atom more or less than God wishes.
Heidelberg Catechism: The almighty…upholds heaven and earth,…and so governs them…that health and sickness, riches and poverty, yea, all things, come not by chance, but by his fatherly hand.
God is never to be measured by what seems fair to human judgment.
God is not accountable to anyone, nor owes anything to anyone, certainly not a chance to repent or believe, so he grants salvation to some, even predestinates salvation to some, and completely overlooks others at his sole discretion.

Opponents claim good comes fromGod, and evil comes from the Devil
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.Ecclesiastes 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
Yet God claims to do both
Deut. 32:39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Job 2:10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.Gen. 50:20 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.
Psalm 105:17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
Proverbs 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
Lam. 3:37-38 Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?
Amos 3:6 shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?
Acts 4:27-28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
Luke 12:22-26 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them:

A practical application of sovereignty: 
God makes decisions in your life without your consent, without consulting you, without regard for your wishes. You cannot resist him, change him, thwart him, deceive him, avoid him, ignore him,

Power:
Job 9:12 Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?
Job 23:13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
Job 40:2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
Job 40:8 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
Pleasure:
Job 23:13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
Psalms 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.Psalms 135:6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:Ephesians 1:11 being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Daniel 4:35 he doeth his will in heaven, and among inhabitants of earth: none can stay his hand, or say, What doest thou?
Right:
Job 40:8 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
Isaiah 29:16 shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or the thing framed say, He had no understanding?
Isaiah 45:9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou
10 Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?
Jeremiah 18:6 O Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand.
Romans 9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
20 Nay but, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter power, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
Matthew 20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

Bible nuance
Irresistable – yet allows people to resist him
Immutable – yet allows people to change his mind
Unaccountable – yet makes himself accountable to us

Things God Cannot Do
God is sovereign, but the Bible points out things God cannot do. This is not a contradiction. What he cannot do is what would lessen himself, weaken himself, undermine himself, contradict himself.
God cannot lie
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation,
God cannot be tempted
James 1:13 for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
God cannot change (or learn, discover, grow, evolve)
James 1:17 cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent:
Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
1 Samuel 15:29 the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.
God cannot fail (be mocked)
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
God cannot deny himself
2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Fearsomeness of God
Job 23:13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. 
15 when I consider, I am afraid of him.
Conflict in Job is about the sovereignty of God, Job claiming that God did something to him for no discernible reason. His friends insisted that God doesn’t do such things, but that God only does good to the righteous, and evil to the wicked, so that Job’s trials must be because of his sin.

We lack a sense of his majesty, his power, his perfection, his purity. We act unaware of his willingness to try us, burden us, to punish 
We lack a sense of our own vulnerability, unworthiness, unfitness, incompetence. 

Ezekiel 1:28 the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
Daniel 10:8 Therefore I saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
Revelation 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. 
Joshua 5:14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

Jeremiah 5:22 Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?
James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Psalms 119:120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
Psalms 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:29 For our God is a consuming fire.Psalms 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.Psalms 76:11 Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
Psalms 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.Proverbs 23:17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.Proverbs 24:21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
Isaiah 66:2 but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Romans 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

Accountability of God

Job 33:13 [Elihu] Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
Job 36:23 [Elihu] Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?

Does a Creator have any obligation to his creation? Technically no. 
But does an employer have any duty toward an employee? 
Does an adoptive parent have any accountability to adopted child? 
Accountability on God’s part is because of his promises, his purposes, his own plans. 
He is accountable to himself. He holds himself accountable. 
And he justifies himself to mankind.

“Lord swears by himself”
Hebrews 6:13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
Hebrews 6:16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
Genesis 22:16 By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son,Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return
Jeremiah 22:5 But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.
Jeremiah 49:13 For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation
Jeremiah 51:14 The LORD of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men
Amos 6:8 The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, 
Psalms 105:9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;

“Lord justified” in judgment in the eyes of men
Romans 3:4 it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Psalms 51:4 Against thee only have I sinned, that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Romans 3:19 that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Isaiah 5:3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.
Isaiah 5:4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? 
Jeremiah 2:5 Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, 
Micah 1:2 Hear, all ye people; and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.
Micah 6:3 O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me.
Psalms 50:7 Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.Psalms 81:8 Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;
Malachi 2:14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, 
Malachi 3:5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers,
Psalms 50:4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
Psalms 50:6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.Revelation 16:5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, because thou hast judged thus.

Resistability of God
Romans 9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

Numbers 14:11 How long will this people provoke me? how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs I have shewed?
Deuteronomy 9:7 Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness:
Deuteronomy 9:24 Ye have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you.
Isaiah 1:2 I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
Isaiah 63:10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
Isaiah 65:2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good
Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Deuteronomy 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, that it might be well with them!
Deuteronomy 32:29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!Psalms 81:13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!
Isaiah 48:18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river
Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, how often would I have gathered thy children, and ye would not!

Mutability of God
(God is immutable)
Job 23:13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
James 1:17 Every good gift cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: 
1Samuel 15:29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.
Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Hebrews 6:17 Wherein God, willing to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

“may be”
Jeremiah 36:3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.
Ezekiel 12:3 Therefore, remove by day in their sight: it may be they will consider, though they be a rebellious house.
Luke 20:13 Then said the lord, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.
2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance

“Lord repented”
Deuteronomy 32:36 LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone
Judges 2:18 for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.1Samuel 15:35 the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
2Samuel 24:16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil,
Psalms 90:13 Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.Jeremiah 18:8 If that nation turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.Jeremiah 26:3 If so be they turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do 
Jeremiah 26:13 obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced 
Jeremiah 26:19 the LORD repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? 
Jeremiah 42:10 I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.
Amos 7:3 The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.Amos 7:6 The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.
Joel 2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
Jonah 3:9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
   10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

Also the concept of prayer
Exodus 32:12 Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.Exodus 32:14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
Numbers 14:13 And Moses said unto the LORD, Then the Egyptians shall hear it
17 And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying,19 Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy
20 And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:
Deuteronomy 32:27 Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the LORD hath not done all this.

Permissiveness of God
(forbearance, liberality, indulgence, empowerment,  freedom-granting,  independence-fostering, choice-presenting)

Genesis 2:16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

God is known for his commandments
Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Matthew 23:4 they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they will not move them

Freedom from the Law of Moses
Mat. 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Acts 15:10 why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Galatians 2:4 false brethren unawares brought in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, might bring us into bondage:
Galatians 4:9 how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:13 ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Romans 14:14 there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

Freedom as objective of Salvation
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Freedom as eternal inheritance
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?  34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.  35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.  36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Galatians 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

True Freedom
Paradoxical freedom – servitude  / Joseph was a servant, but the freest man in Egypt
1 Cor. 7: 22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
1Peter 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

Space to choose
Some imagine God hovering, in your face, opposing, hindering
Psalms 50:21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, the heart of  men is fully set in them to do evil.
Isaiah 57:11  have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?
Acts 14:16 Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Romans 1:28 they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those 
Revelation 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.2Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward

Choice
One qualification of the doctrine of election – God really gives choices.
Deuteronomy 30:19 I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life
Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; 
2Samuel 24:12 Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
Proverbs 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
Isaiah 7:15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
Philippians 1:22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Luke 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Liberality of God (extravagance, generosity)
James 1.5 giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not
  17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, 
Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
1 Cor. 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? 
1Chronicles 29:14 for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
Deuteronomy 8:17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.  18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, 

Longsuffering of God
Numbers 14:18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
Psalms 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
Jeremiah 15:15 O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me; take me not away in thy longsuffering: 
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Romans 2:4 despisest thou his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Romans 3:25 to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Romans 9:22  What if God, to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath
1Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
1Peter 3:20 when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing
2Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward
2Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; 

Divisiveness of God
Gen 1:1-19 (3) And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
The first four days of creation emphasize God dividing (3-light, 6-waters, 9-sea/land, 14-times/seasons).

In Praise of Unity
Argument goes that unity is more important than doctrine (truth, gospel). The following show division is wrong if it is over vainglory, pride, material things, names (denominations), envy, doubtful disputations and to draw away disciples for personal advancement. On the other hand, unity is wrong if by coercion, compromise, silence or simply in appearance.
Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!Eph. 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.Eph. 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God
John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
  22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
  23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me
1 Cor. 1:10 that ye all speak the same thing, that there be no divisions among you; be joined in same mind and same judgment.
1 Cor. 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal?
1 Cor. 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.1 Cor. 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
2 Cor. 13:11 Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Romans 15:6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Phil. 1:27 that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Phil. 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.   3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Jude 1:19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
1 Cor. 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
James 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

God Dividing Humanity
Gen. 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Gen. 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed
Gen. 11:6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do:
  7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.  8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
Acts 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations, and hath determined the bounds of their habitation;Lev. 11:45 For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.  47 To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not Exodus 34:12 Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, lest it be a snare in the midst of thee:
  16 And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring Deu. 7:3 Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.
  4 For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods:
Joshua 23:12 Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:
Ezra 10:11 Now make confession unto the LORD God, and do his pleasure: separate from the people, and from the strange wives.
Neh. 10:30 And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons:
Neh. 13:1 they read in the book of Moses, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;
  3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
  23 In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:  24 their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but the language of each people.  25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.
Christ’s Purpose and Effect
Mat. 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.  35 I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.  36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Luke 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
  51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
  52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.  53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat. 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.Mat. 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
John 7:12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay
John 7:43 So there was a division among the people because of him.
John 9:16 This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
John 10:19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
Acts 14:4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
Purpose of Judgment
Isaiah 52:1 O Jerusalem, the holy city: henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
Joel 3:17 shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
Mat. 3:12 he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff 
Luke 3:17 and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.Mat. 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Luke 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
Mat. 13:41 send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;Mat. 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
Mat. 25:32 before him shall be gathered all nations: shall separate them one from another, as shepherd divideth sheep from goats:
Rev. 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie
Rev. 22:15 without are dogs, sorcerers, whoremongers, murderers, idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

God Calling to Personal Separation
Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Prov. 4:14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.Prov. 4:15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
Prov. 9:6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.Psalm 26:4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.Psalm 26:5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
Jer. 15:17 I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand
1 Tim. 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.James 1:27 Pure religion is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Eph. 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Heb. 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

God Calling to Outward Formal Separation
Mat. 10:14 whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart, shake off the dust of your feet.Mark 6:11 whosoever shall not receive you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them
Luke 9:5 whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.Luke 10:10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,Luke 10:11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you:
Acts 13:51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
2 Cor. 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness
  17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; 
Isaiah 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean
Rev. 18:4 saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
  11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Judgment in the Church
Mat. 18:17 if he neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: if he neglect to hear the church, let him be as an heathen and a publican.
Romans 16:17 mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
1 Cor. 5: 3 For I verily have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,  4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,  5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
  9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:  11 not to keep company, if any brother be a fornicator, covetous, idolater, railer, drunkard or an extortioner; with such no not to eat.
  13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
2 Thes. 3:6 that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly
  14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.  15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
1 Tim. 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:  11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Disputing

Against personal strife and vain-glory
Mark 9:33 and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?  34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.Romans 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
Philippians 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
  14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
James 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

Contention over truth
Acts 6:9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue disputing with Stephen.Acts 9:29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.Acts 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with themActs 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them,Acts 17:17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily 
Acts 19:8 spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.Acts 19:9 when divers believed not, spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed, separated the disciples, disputing dailyGal. 1:8 though an angel from heaven preach any other gospel than that which we have preached, let him be accursed.
Gal. 2:5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
  14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all,
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.Jude 1:3 exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Rebuking Sin
Deuteronomy 13:11 And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.Deuteronomy 17:13 And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.Deuteronomy 19:20 And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.Deuteronomy 21:21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
Acts 5:3 Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Acts 5:11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.Gal. 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
Eph. 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.1 Tim. 1:20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
1 Tim. 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
2 Tim. 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Titus 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

Contingency of God
 (overlaps Sovereignty/mutability and Permissiveness)

Acts 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Romans 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

God says “may be”
Exodus 13:17 for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:Jeremiah 26:3 If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.
Jeremiah 36:3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.
Jeremiah 36:7 It may be they will present their supplication before the LORD, and will return every one from his evil way: for great is the anger and the fury that the LORD hath pronounced against this people.
Ezekiel 12:3 Therefore, remove by day in their sight: it may be they will consider, though they be a rebellious house.
Luke 20:13 Then said the lord, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.
Mat 21: 37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance
(Jesus) Mark 11:13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon:

God says “O that”
Deuteronomy 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!Deuteronomy 32:29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! Psalms 81:8 Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;
  11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.
  13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!
  15 The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.Isaiah 48:18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river
Jeremiah 44:4 Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.

God’s will thwarted
Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children together, and ye would not!Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children together, and ye would not!
Luke 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,Luke 19:42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
Jeremiah 11:7 For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.

God understanding risk
Mal. 3:10 prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not pour you out a blessing, there shall not be room enough to receive it.
1Kings 17:13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Lam. 3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. 27  It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. 28 He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. 29 He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.

God invented faith
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house;

Attempts to cause faith
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 5:34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
John 10:38 though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

(How faith is caused - begotten)
2 Corinthians 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;
1 Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
1 Cor. 15:11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
2 Tim. 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
Heb. 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
Heb. 13:7 have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow,

God granting alternatives
Deuteronomy 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
Deuteronomy 11:26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;
Genesis 18:21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
Deuteronomy 32:41 If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; 
1Kings 3:14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
1Kings 6:12  Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:
1Kings 9:4 And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:5 Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.6  But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them:
1 Kings 11:38 And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.
2Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Nehemiah 1:8 Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:Nehemiah 1:9 But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.
Jeremiah 5:1 Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.
Jer. 12:16 And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.17 But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 18:8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.Jeremiah 18:10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.
Jeremiah 22:5 But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.
Jeremiah 42:10 If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.
John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Revelation 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Judgmentalness of God

Luke 6: 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Judgmental:
1. Dictionary.com:	Tending to make moral judgments
2. Tending to judge people quickly
3. Someone who forms lots of harsh or critical opinions
4. Synonyms: critical, censorious, negative, condemnatory, finding fault, exaggerating criticism
This is not the plan of salvation (Mat. 25:31->)
This is not about determining right and wrong, or judging actions as right or wrong.
Speaking about judging persons personally, as pharisees tended to do

A. Reasons we should not be judgmental
1. Glass house – we are vulnerable to criticism
2. Ignorance – we are wrong often, don’t know the heart
3. Guilt – inappropriate, our right to criticize is forfeited if we do the same
4. Hypocrisy – ulterior motives, putting up a front
Isaiah 65:5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose
5. Control issues
6. Lacking perspective – judging a person overall over a narrow fault
7. Scope – we tend to find fault with everybody, criticism is contagious
8. Careless, impatient – we are too quick

B. God is opinionated, critical, focusing on the negative, harsh, vocal in his complaints, nit-picky, disapproving
Doesn’t seem like it – to lost, because he gives room; to saved, because he made a way
He is holier-than-thou!
1. He is not vulnerable to criticism
2. He is not ignorant of heart
3. He is not guilty
4. He has the high moral ground
5. He is in control
6. He has an eternal perspective
7. He judges everybody
Josh 24:19 he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.8. He judged before we were born

C. God’s attitude – lists of complaints
Psalm 7: 11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.Isaiah 1:13,14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth:
Proverbs 21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: (even when sincere)
1 Cor. 6:9,10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Eph. 5:3-5 no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
2 Tim. 3:2-4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Rev. 21:8 fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars
Rev. 22:15  murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

D. Tread softly with God – humility helps, mercy helps
Eze. 16:52 who art thou that judgest another?James 1:19 let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:James 2:12,13 he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy;
James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters,
James 4:6 God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble
James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren.
James 4:12 who art thou that judgest another?

Deep Understanding of God

Psalm 139: 1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.  O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.6  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Key to understand God, not by intelligence, or science, or nature, but by taking him at his word
Jer. 9:23-24 let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me,

Clinical understanding versus experiential understanding
Women assume men can’t understand childbirth pain, Jews think Gentiles can’t understand their thinking after the holocaust, etc.
But we understand somewhat, because we also go through similar things.
But how can God understand temptation? weakness? fear? Yet he does, he proves it in his dealings with us.
But remember, understanding us doesn’t automatically mean he sympathizes with us.

1. Sin
Deut. 15:9 Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand;
Psalm 49:10-13 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever,
psalm 94:9-11 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear?

2. Weakness
Gen. 6:3 My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh:
Psalm 78:38,39 he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away,
Psalm 103:14-16 he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.1 Cor. 10:13 God … who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able;

3. Fear
Judges 7:3 Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead.
Jer. 1.8, 17 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee
Eze 2:6-8 be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words,
Isa. 51:7 fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings
Isa. 51:12 who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die
Mat. 10:24-26 Fear them not therefore:

4. Confusion
Exodus 23:3 Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.Eccl. 7:16,17 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise:
Prov. 25:16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee
Prov. 30:8 give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:Mat. 6:1-4 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them

5. Risk
Mal. 3:10 prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven,
1 Kings 17:13 Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first
John 5:34 but these things I say, that ye might be saved.John 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works:

Eternal Perspective of God

Deuteronomy 32:40 For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.

Inscrutability of God
Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Romans 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Job 26:14 Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?
Ecclesiastes 3:11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Psalms 145:3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.
Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

Making himself known
Jer. 9: 23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Colossians 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
Matthew 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

God helps our ignorance
Romans 8: 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
From Everlasting
Psalms 41:13 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.
Psalms 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
Psalms 93:2 Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.
Proverbs 8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
Psalms 102:12 But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
Psalms 104:31 The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.

Eternal compared to our brief existence
2Samuel 7:19 And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?
Psalm 90:4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
 9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.
 10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Lamentations 5:19 Thou, O LORD, remainest for ever; thy throne from generation to generation.
James 4: 13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Job 7:6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
 7 O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.
Job 9:25 Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.
 26 They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
Job 14: 1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
 2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
Psalm 39:5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity.
Psalm 89:47 Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?
1 Pet. 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

Patience of God
Psalms 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Romans 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
2Thessalonians 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ,
Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, 

Permanence of God’s thinking
Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
Ecclesiastes 1:4  One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
Jeremiah 31:36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
Ecclesiastes 3:14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
Isaiah 30:8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
1Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Genesis 13:15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
Exodus 12:14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
Exodus 31:17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
Leviticus 25:23 The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.
Deuteronomy 18:5 For the LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for ever.
Joshua 4:7 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
Joshua 14:9 And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.
1Samuel 3:14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
2Samuel 7:13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
2Samuel 7:16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
2Kings 5:27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.
1Chronicles 15:2 Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.
Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalms 33:11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Psalms 105:8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
Psalms 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Psalms 132:14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Matthew 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Jude 1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
Revelation 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever:
Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Revelation 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Everlasting things
Habakkuk 3:6 He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.
Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness,
2Thessalonians 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
Isaiah 26:4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
Isaiah 60:20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.
Psalms 24:7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Psalms 112:6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
Isaiah 61:7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
2Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
1Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

God wants things to last
Exodus 19:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever.
Joshua 4:24 That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.
Deuteronomy 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
1Chronicles 29:18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:
Hebrews 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
1John 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
Jeremiah 32:39 And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
2John 1:2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

Perspective Affects the way God thinks about:
Time
Exodus 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Psalm 90:4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
2 Pet. 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Trouble
2 Cor. 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Isa. 54:8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
Rom. 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
1 Pet. 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
1 Pet. 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
1 Pet. 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Value
Psalms 102:26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
Isaiah 34:4 And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.
Isaiah 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
Isaiah 54:10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Hebrews 1:11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
 12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
1Corinthians 7:31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
1Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
Psalms 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Psalms 147:10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
Psalms 147:11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Objective
Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
2Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
Psalms 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
1John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Self-Esteem of God

Craftsmanship, Artistry of God
Ecclesiastes 7:13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

Attentiveness of God

Fatherhood - God’s emphasis on fatherhood, parenthood, nature

Collective-mindedness  God’s view of the group, collective judgments

Criteria (Sake) How God chooses

Unknown Jesus
Casting out of the Temple	Mat. 21:12-14
Blind leading the blind	Mat. 15:12-14
Woe unto you			Mat. 23:13-36
Not peace but a sword		Mat. 10:34
Looked on them with anger	Mar. 3:1-6
Except ye repent, perish	Luke 13:1-5
Hate his father, mother	Luke 14:25-27
I know ye not			Mat. 7:21, Luke 13:22-28
Woe unto you rich		Luke 6:22-36
Of your father the devil	John 8:42-45
Without are dogs 		Rev. 22:12-17
Tell that old fox		Luke 13:32