Shownotes
Welcome to Day 2731 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – The Divine Council Worldview and the Nations: A Biblical Perspective
Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2731 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2731 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God’s Word. John’s lessons can be found on his website theologyinfive.com . Today’s lesson is titled The Divine Council Worldview and the Nations:<#0.25#> A Biblical Perspective. The Divine Council Worldview, championed by scholars like Dr. Michael Heiser, offers a fascinating lens through which to interpret the biblical narrative. This worldview posits that Yahweh, the God of Israel, presides over a council of lesser divine beings who were assigned to govern the nations. This podcast explores the key aspects of how this worldview explains the relationship between the divine council and the nations.The Disinheritance of the Nations
A pivotal moment in the Divine Council Worldview is the incident of the Tower of Babel, described in Genesis Eleven verses one through nine. Humanity’s attempt to build a tower reaching the heavens was seen as an act of rebellion against Yahweh. In response, Yahweh confused their language, causing them to scatter across the earth. According to this worldview, this event led to the disinheritance of the nations, as articulated in Deuteronomy thirty-two verse eight and nine. The passage suggests that the Most High divided the nations and assigned them to be governed by lesser divine beings, while retaining Israel as His own portion. “When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race, he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court.[a] “For the people of Israel belong to the Lord; Jacob is his special possession. ” (Deuteronomy thirty-two, verses eight and nine)Psalm 82: Judgment of the Gods
Psalm eighty-two is a critical text for understanding the Divine Council Worldview. In this Psalm, Yahweh stands in the divine assembly and judges the ‘gods’ for their failure to administer justice and righteousness among the nations. These divine beings are condemned for their negligence and are warned of their eventual demise. God presides over heaven’s court; he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings: “How long will you hand down unjust decisions by favoring the wicked? I say, ‘You are gods; you are all children of the Most High. But you will die like mere mortals and fall like every other ruler.’” (Psalm Eighty-two, verses one and two, and six and seven)The Vision of Daniel 10
The Book of Daniel provides further insights into the Divine Council Worldview. In Daniel 10, a vision reveals a spiritual battle involving the ‘prince of Persia’ and the ‘prince of Greece,’ interpreted as spiritual entities or fallen divine beings associated with these nations. The archangel Michael, referred to as ‘your prince,’ is associated with Israel, suggesting a guardian role for the divine beings over specific nations. But for twenty-one days, the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. Daniel Ten, verse thirteen.The Nations in the New Testament
The Divine Council Worldview extends into the New Testament, where the defeat of these rebellious divine beings and the reclaiming of the nations is a central theme. The Great Commission in Matthew Twenty-Eight verses nineteen and twenty seen as a directive to reclaim the nations for Yahweh through the spread of the gospel. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Paul’s writings also reflect this spiritual battle against these powers and principalities. Ephesians six, verse twelve emphasizes the struggle against these spiritual forces. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.The Ultimate Redemption
The Divine Council Worldview holds that the eschatological vision includes the restoration of all nations under Yahweh’s rule. Revelation twenty-one verses twenty-four through twenty-six describes the nations walking by the light of the New Jerusalem, indicating a future where the divided nations are united in worshiping Yahweh.The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city.
Conclusion
The Divine Council Worldview provides a rich and complex understanding of the biblical narrative, particularly concerning the nations. It suggests that Yahweh’s judgment at Babel led to the disinheritance of the nations and their governance by lesser divine beings, who ultimately failed in their duties. This failure set the stage for the ultimate redemption and reunification of the nations under Yahweh through the work of Christ and the mission of the Church. This perspective invites believers to see the cosmic scope of God’s redemptive plan, encompassing all nations and peoples.Discussion Question
- The Role of the Divine Council: How does the concept of the Divine Council and its governance over the nations influence our understanding of the biblical narrative and Yahweh’s sovereignty? What implications does this have for interpreting events in the Old Testament, such as the disinheritance of the nations at Babel?
- Theological Implications: In what ways does the Divine Council Worldview challenge or support traditional Christian views on the nature of spiritual beings and their roles? How do passages like Psalm 82 and Daniel 10 reshape our understanding of spiritual warfare and the cosmic struggle described in the Bible?
- Reclaiming the Nations: Considering the New Testament emphasis on the Great Commission and the reclaiming of the nations for Yahweh, how should modern Christians approach missions and evangelism? What does this worldview suggest about the ultimate reconciliation and unity of all nations under God’s rule as described in Revelation?
Transcripts
Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2731 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.
Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God’s Word. John’s lessons can be found on his website theologyinfive.com . Today’s lesson is titled The Divine Council Worldview and the Nations: A Biblical Perspective.
The Divine Council Worldview, championed by scholars like Dr. Michael Heiser, offers a fascinating lens through which to interpret the biblical narrative. This worldview posits that Yahweh, the God of Israel, presides over a council of lesser divine beings who were assigned to govern the nations. This podcast explores the key aspects of how this worldview explains the relationship between the divine council and the nations.
The Disinheritance of the Nations
A pivotal moment in the Divine Council Worldview is the incident of the Tower of Babel, described in Genesis Eleven verses one through nine. Humanity’s attempt to build a tower reaching the heavens was seen as an act of rebellion against Yahweh. In response, Yahweh confused their language, causing them to scatter across the earth. According to this worldview, this event led to the disinheritance of the nations, as articulated in Deuteronomy thirty-two verse eight and nine. The passage suggests that the Most High divided the nations and assigned them to be governed by lesser divine beings, while retaining Israel as His own portion.
“When the Most High assigned lands to the nations,
when he divided up the human race,
he established the boundaries of the peoples
according to the number in his heavenly court.[a]
“For the people of Israel belong to the Lord;
Jacob is his special possession.
” (Deuteronomy thirty-two, verses eight and nine)
Psalm 82: Judgment of the Gods
Psalm eighty-two is a critical text for understanding the Divine Council Worldview. In this Psalm, Yahweh stands in the divine assembly and judges the ‘gods’ for their failure to administer justice and righteousness among the nations. These divine beings are condemned for their negligence and are warned of their eventual demise.
God presides over heaven’s court;
he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:
“How long will you hand down unjust decisions
by favoring the wicked?
I say, ‘You are gods;
you are all children of the Most High.
But you will die like mere mortals
and fall like every other ruler.’” (Psalm Eighty-two, verses one and two, and six and seven)
The Vision of Daniel 10
The Book of Daniel provides further insights into the Divine Council Worldview. In Daniel 10, a vision reveals a spiritual battle involving the ‘prince of Persia’ and the ‘prince of Greece,’ interpreted as spiritual entities or fallen divine beings associated with these nations. The archangel Michael, referred to as ‘your prince,’ is associated with Israel, suggesting a guardian role for the divine beings over specific nations.
But for twenty-one days, the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. Daniel Ten, verse thirteen.
The Nations in the New Testament
The Divine Council Worldview extends into the New Testament, where the defeat of these rebellious divine beings and the reclaiming of the nations is a central theme. The Great Commission in Matthew Twenty-Eight verses nineteen and twenty seen as a directive to reclaim the nations for Yahweh through the spread of the gospel.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s writings also reflect this spiritual battle against these powers and principalities. Ephesians six, verse twelve emphasizes the struggle against these spiritual forces.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
The Ultimate Redemption
The Divine Council Worldview holds that the eschatological vision includes the restoration of all nations under Yahweh’s rule. Revelation twenty-one verses twenty-four through twenty-six describes the nations walking by the light of the New Jerusalem, indicating a future where the divided nations are united in worshiping Yahweh.
The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city.
Conclusion
The Divine Council Worldview provides a rich and complex understanding of the biblical narrative, particularly concerning the nations. It suggests that Yahweh’s judgment at Babel led to the disinheritance of the nations and their governance by lesser divine beings, who ultimately failed in their duties. This failure set the stage for the ultimate redemption and reunification of the nations under Yahweh through the work of Christ and the mission of the Church. This perspective invites believers to see the cosmic scope of God’s redemptive plan, encompassing all nations and peoples.
Discussion Question
1. The Role of the Divine Council: How does the concept of the Divine Council and its governance over the nations influence our understanding of the biblical narrative and Yahweh’s sovereignty? What implications does this have for interpreting events in the Old Testament, such as the disinheritance of the nations at Babel?
2. Theological Implications: In what ways does the Divine Council Worldview challenge or support traditional Christian views on the nature of spiritual beings and their roles? How do passages like Psalm 82 and Daniel 10 reshape our understanding of spiritual warfare and the cosmic struggle described in the Bible?
3. Reclaiming the Nations: Considering the New Testament emphasis on the Great Commission and the reclaiming of the nations for Yahweh, how should modern Christians approach missions and evangelism? What does this worldview suggest about the ultimate reconciliation and unity of all nations under God’s rule as described in Revelation?
Join us next time on Theology Thursday, where our lesson will cover THE PROFOUND MEANING OF “THE NAME” OF THE LORD
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