DECREES

DECREES OF GOD

Decrees - 2 types from heaven above - a triune agreement before time began - predetermined by the Godhead

Causative  birth  Luke 22:22  "And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!"

Permissive  death  Matt. 18:7 "Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!"

 

 

DECREES A royal order. Decrees were proclaimed publically by criers (Jonah 3:5-7) designated "heralds" (Dan. 3:4) often throughout the territory of the monarch (1 Sam. 11:7; Ezra 1:1). Decrees were written and stored in archives for later reference (Ezra 6:1-2). Scripture attributes just decrees to divine wisdom (Prov. 8:15). Scripture also recognizes unjust decrees (Isa. 10:1). Some important decrees include: Cyrus' decree on rebuilding the Temple (Ezra 6:3-5); Esther's decree on the celebration of Purim (Esther 9:32); and the decree of Caesar Augustus which set the scene for the birth of Christ (Luke 2:1).

    As King of the earth, God issues decrees regulating the world of nature (the sea, Prov. 8:29; rain, Job 28:26) and of humanity (Dan. 4:24). God also decrees the reign of the Messianic King (Ps. 2:7).

    The KJV uses "decree" to describe the decision of the Apostolic Council (Acts 16:4) and of a human inward decision not to marry (1 Cor. 7:37). NIV refers to God's righteous decree of death for sinners (Rom. 1:32). NAS uses "decree" for God's law which led to disobedience and death (Col. 2:14, 20). NRSV uses "decree" to speak of God's eternal wisdom and plan for creation. Any translator using "decree" is interpreting the meaning of a more general Hebrew or Greek term, resulting in each translation using "decree" for several different words of the original language.