It’s amazing, I think this is the first time I’ve read this post from almost 20 years ago.
My understanding of doctrine has grown to the point that I actually understand and agree with what Mike says. God’s Sovereignty, Election, and Grace are foundational.
But I do find in the Church today most pastors even if they teach the Bible they don’t “choose” to preach about these doctrines.
I was also struck but the opening verse from Job…
13 But He is unique and who can turn Him?
And what His soul desires, that He does. Job 23:13 (LSB)
Or in the KJV..
Job 23:13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
I looked up the verse in old John Gill’s commentary looking to see if he made any comment about the Soul of God. It did see an unusual term. I need to think about that more. But perhaps it’s integral to what we see in the Creation of Man:
Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Part of our being made in his image and likeness.
Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Anyway Gill’s comment is useful, but doesn’t specify define a soul…
and what his soul desireth, even that he doth: that is, what he himself desireth earnestly and vehemently; he has done all things in creation according to the good pleasure of his will; and he does all things in providence according to the counsel of it, and as seems best in his sight; and so he does all things in grace, chooses whom he will, predestinates to the adoption of children according to the good pleasure of his will: redeems whom he pleases, and calls by his grace, and brings to glory whomsoever he will be gracious to; see Psa 115:3.
Psa 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
He hath done whatsoever he pleased; in creation, in providence, and in grace: he hath made what creatures he pleased, and for his pleasure; and he does according to his will, and after the counsel of it, in heaven and in earth; and is gracious to whom he will be gracious; saves and calls men, not according to their works, but according to his own purpose and will; whose counsel shall stand, and he will do all his pleasure; he is the most high God, and a sovereign Being; all that he wills are possible to him, and easily done by him, and which Heathens themselves own (x).
(x) θεοι δε τε παντα δυναται, Homer. Odyss. 10. v. 306. “Facile est omnia posse Deo”, Ovid. de Arte Amandi, l. 1.
I highlighted a few words…most of these define God’s will and sovereignty.
Rainbow Trout 