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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Overruling</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/o/overruling.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/esther/8-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/o/overruling.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Overruling</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/o/overruled.htm" title="Overruled">◄</a> Overruling <a href="/topical/o/overrun.htm" title="Overrun">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div><b>Definition and Concept</b> <br>Overruling, in a biblical context, refers to the divine act of God intervening in human affairs to bring about His sovereign will and purpose. This concept underscores the belief in God's ultimate authority and control over all creation, including the actions and decisions of individuals and nations. Overruling is often seen as God's way of redirecting events to align with His divine plan, even when human intentions may be contrary.<br><br><b>Biblical Examples</b><br><br>1. <b>Joseph and His Brothers</b> <br>One of the most prominent examples of overruling in the Bible is the account of Joseph. His brothers sold him into slavery, intending harm, but God used their actions for a greater purpose. In <a href="/genesis/50-20.htm">Genesis 50:20</a> , Joseph tells his brothers, "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." This illustrates how God can overrule human intentions to fulfill His redemptive plan.<br><br>2. <b>Pharaoh's Hardened Heart</b> <br>In the account of the Exodus, God overruled Pharaoh's resistance to let the Israelites go. Despite Pharaoh's hardened heart, God used the situation to demonstrate His power and deliver His people. <a href="/exodus/9-12.htm">Exodus 9:12</a> states, "But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had told Moses." This shows God's sovereignty in using even the obstinacy of rulers to achieve His purposes.<br><br>3. <b>The Crucifixion of Jesus</b> <br>The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of divine overruling. Human authorities intended to eliminate Jesus, but God used their actions to bring about salvation for humanity. <a href="/acts/2-23.htm">Acts 2:23</a> declares, "He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross." This event highlights how God's plan can prevail through human actions, even those meant for evil.<br><br><b>Theological Implications</b><br><br>The concept of overruling emphasizes God's omnipotence and omniscience. It reassures believers that, despite the presence of evil and suffering in the world, God is actively working to bring about His good purposes. <a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28</a> affirms this truth: "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."<br><br><b>Practical Application</b><br><br>For believers, the doctrine of overruling provides comfort and hope. It encourages trust in God's sovereignty, even in difficult circumstances. Understanding that God can overrule human plans and intentions helps Christians to remain steadfast in faith, knowing that God's purposes will ultimately prevail. This trust in divine overruling fosters a sense of peace and assurance in the midst of life's uncertainties.<br><br><b>Conclusion</b><br><br>While the concept of overruling is deeply rooted in the sovereignty of God, it also calls believers to align their lives with His will, seeking to be instruments of His purpose rather than obstacles. Through prayer, obedience, and faith, Christians participate in God's overarching plan, confident that He is able to bring good out of any situation.<a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>1. (<I>p. pr. & vb. n.</I>) of Overrule.<p>2. (<I>a.</I>) Exerting controlling power; as, an overruling Providence.<a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/macduff/the_faithful_promiser/13th_day_providential_overruling.htm"><span class="l">Providential <b>Overruling</b>.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> 13TH DAY. Providential <b>Overruling</b>. "He is Faithful that Promised." <b>...</b> Providential<br> <b>Overruling</b>. My soul! be still! thou art in the hands of thy Covenant God. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../macduff/the faithful promiser/13th day providential overruling.htm</font><p><a href="/library/white/the_story_of_prophets_and_kings/chapter_43_the_unseen_watcher.htm"><span class="l">The Unseen Watcher</span></a> <br><b>...</b> While nations have rejected God's principles, and in this rejection have wrought<br> their own ruin, yet a divine, <b>overruling</b> purpose has manifestly been at work <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 43 the unseen watcher.htm</font><p><a href="/library/calvin/the_institutes_of_the_christian_religion/chapter_17_use_to_be.htm"><span class="l">Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> be observed, first, that the Providence of God is to be considered with reference<br> both to the past and the future; and, secondly, that in <b>overruling</b> all things <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 use to be.htm</font><p><a href="/library/various/the_wonders_of_prayer/introduction_to_first_edition.htm"><span class="l">Introduction to First Edition.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> it realizes the hand of God in his personal dealings with him, how near He is, or<br> how clearly he feels the presence of that tremendous <b>overruling</b> Spirit which. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../various/the wonders of prayer/introduction to first edition.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_50_1904/an_instructive_truth.htm"><span class="l">An Instructive Truth</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Child of God, will you, for a moment, reflect upon the <b>overruling</b> power of<br> God even in the case of the most mighty and wicked of men? <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/an instructive truth.htm</font><p><a href="/library/pink/the_divine_inspiration_of_the_bible/chapter_seven_the_wonderful_unity.htm"><span class="l">The Wonderful Unity of the Bible Attests Its Divine Authorship</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The more one really studies the Bible the more one is convinced that behind the<br> many human mouths there is One <b>overruling</b>, controlling Mind. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../pink/the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter seven the wonderful unity.htm</font><p><a href="/library/newton/messiah_vol_2/sermon_xxix_gifts_received_for.htm"><span class="l">Gifts Received for the Rebellious</span></a> <br><b>...</b> sufferings to them; and they were afterwards indebted to him for their lives,<br> subsistence, honour and comfort; God in a wonderful manner <b>overruling</b> their evil <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxix gifts received for.htm</font><p><a href="/library/mcgarvey/a_commentary_on_acts_of_the_apostles/acts_ix.htm"><span class="l">Acts IX</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The child was being educated, under the eye of an <b>overruling</b> Providence,<br> for a future unthought of by either himself or his parents. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts ix.htm</font><p><a href="/library/mcfadyen/introduction_to_the_old_testament/daniel.htm"><span class="l">Daniel</span></a> <br><b>...</b> It is like them in its passionate belief in the <b>overruling</b> Providence of God and<br> in the sure consummation of His kingdom; but in its peculiar symbolism, imagery <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/daniel.htm</font><p><a href="/library/schaff/the_person_of_christ/his_childhood_and_youth.htm"><span class="l">His Childhood and Youth.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> the journey of the magi from the distant East; the dim light of astrology; the<br> significant night-vision of Joseph; and God's providence <b>overruling</b> every event <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/...//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/his childhood and youth.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/o/overruling.htm"><span class="l"><b>Overruling</b> (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Overrule. 2. (a.) Exerting controlling power; as, an <b>overruling</b><br> Providence. Multi-Version Concordance <b>Overruling</b> (2 Occurrences). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/o/overruling.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/o/overrun.htm"><span class="l">Overrun (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/o/overrun.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/n/necessity.htm"><span class="l">Necessity (22 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 4. (n.) That which makes an act or an event unavoidable; irresistible force;<br><b>overruling</b> power; compulsion, physical or moral; fate; fatality. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/n/necessity.htm - 13k</font><p><a href="/topical/o/overruled.htm"><span class="l">Overruled (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/o/overruled.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/r/religion.htm"><span class="l">Religion (23 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> destiny, to whom obedience, service, and honor are due; the feeling or expression<br> of human love, fear, or awe of some superhuman and <b>overruling</b> power, whether <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/r/religion.htm - 101k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/dispersion.htm"><span class="l">Dispersion (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> This, in the <b>overruling</b> providence of God, ultimately contributed in a great degree<br> toward opening the way for the spread of the gospel into all lands. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/dispersion.htm - 44k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/prophecy.htm"><span class="l">Prophecy (37 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> intermediate prophecies also which hold an important place in the great chain of<br> events which illustrate the sovereignty and all-wise <b>overruling</b> providence of <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/prophecy.htm - 55k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/sign.htm"><span class="l">Sign (181 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Most common of all were the local altars and mounds consecrated in simple and sincere<br> fashion to a belief in God's ruling and <b>overruling</b> providence (Joshua 4:1 <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/sign.htm - 46k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/providence.htm"><span class="l">Providence (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> view of human freedom, while the Essenes were believers in absolute fate; the Pharisees,<br> avoiding these extremes, believed in both the <b>overruling</b> providence of <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/providence.htm - 44k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/anem.htm"><span class="l">Anem (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> to him, not because it is a record of events that actually happened, but because<br> he sees in it the ever-present guidance and <b>overruling</b> determination of God <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/anem.htm - 101k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://clyx.com/term/overruling.htm">Overruling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Overruling (2 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/esther/8-5.htm">Esther 8:5</a></span><br />She said, "If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing seem right to the king, and I am pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the king's provinces.<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/ezekiel/16-30.htm">Ezekiel 16:30</a></span><br />How feeble is your heart, says the Lord, seeing that you do all these things, the work of a loose and <span class="boldtext">overruling</span> woman;<br /><span class="source">(BBE)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/o/overruling.htm">Overruling</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pekah.htm">Pekah (11 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/overrunning.htm">Overrunning (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/overruling.htm">Overruling (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/looted.htm">Looted (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fill.htm">Fill (126 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/defenses.htm">Defenses (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bithynia.htm">Bithynia (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/citadels.htm">Citadels (15 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/colossae.htm">Colossae (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/africa.htm">Africa (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fortresses.htm">Fortresses (45 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/strongholds.htm">Strongholds (44 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/plundered.htm">Plundered (44 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pull.htm">Pull (32 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/amorites.htm">Amorites (82 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/moabites.htm">Moabites (26 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/empire.htm">Empire (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/macedonia.htm">Macedonia (23 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh (245 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/jehu.htm">Jehu (63 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/cyprus.htm">Cyprus (12 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab (162 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/overran.htm">Overran (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/roman.htm">Roman (26 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a 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