More texts in Judges showing the sovereignty of God everywhere (with comments along the way), which is what Calvinism at its truest and best is:
Judg. 6:1: "The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of YHWH, and YHWH gave them into the hand of Midian seven years." Was Midian ultimate here? Who is said to be acting?
Judg. 9:23-24: "And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech, that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers."
Now note that it is God who does the sending. Again he is the primary actor. Note also the purpose clause: "that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal. . . ." The sending of the evil spirit had an aim. And whose purpose was that? God's. What authority! He commands even the evil spirits and they obey him (cf. Mk. 1:27). Also note how many free agents in Judges 9 make choices and exercise their wills. The evil spirit, the men of Shechem, Abimelech, and more. Yet God acts and achieves his goal: Judg. 9:56-57. This is absolute dominion. This is Calvinism. And there I love to be.
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