![]() ![]() God's choices and decisions are fully consistent with his eternal wisdom, goodness, justice, fairness, and love. Since it is true that mere human choices are made according to what the person is, it goes without saying that God's choices are made in accordance with who God is. If we adjust our choices to God's choices (line our wills up with his will), we will have the fullest of God's blessings. What human beings should ideally do is choose what is right and pleasing to God ( Isa 56:4 ). David chose to build a temple for God, but was told by God, "Solomon your son is the one who will build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him" ( 1 Chron 28:6 ). Indeed, we often do not know what to choose ( Php 1:22 ) and often our choices are wrong and need to be overridden by God. God also makes choices and by a large margin, the term "choose" is used in Scripture to refer to the choices of God rather than human choices. A good tree bears good fruit, a brackish spring pours forth brackish water, and the pig returns to wallowing in the mire. Our choices are seen to be consistent with what we are. We may choose life or death ( Deut 30:19 2 Kings 18:32 ) we may choose to serve (or not to serve) God ( Joshua 24:15 ). Sometimes the choice thrust on us is of the utmost consequence. We choose husbands or wives ( Gen 6:2 ), working companions ( Acts 15:40 ), where to live ( Gen 13:11 ), and our way of life, whether good or bad ( 1 Peter 4:3 ). With respect to human beings, it covers all human decisions. In the Scriptures the term "choose" is used of both God and human beings. After Judah had fallen because of her sin in 586 b.c., the prophet Zechariah proclaimed forgiveness, saying God would again "choose" (show favor to) Jerusalem ( 2:12 ), and he was told "Proclaim further: This is what the Lord Almighty says: My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem'" ( 1:17 ). In that preference is expressed, the idea of bestowing favor or blessing is often present. It also involves the will, in that a determination is made, a preference expressed that one seeks to bring to reality. The term "elect" means essentially "to choose." It involves discriminatory evaluation of individuals, means, ends, or objects with a view to selecting one above the others, although not necessarily passing negative judgment on those others.
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