PONDERING... What are the decrees of God?

This is part of a catechism study we're doing on Sunday mornings.

What are the decrees of God?

The decrees of God are His eternal purpose according to the counsel of His own will, whereby for His own glory He has foreordained whatever comes to pass.

• Ephesians 1:11-12 ESV - "11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory."
• Romans 11:36 ESV - "36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."

BREAKDOWN

Decrees-

This is what is being defined by this answer, but it won't hurt to place Easton's definition here, as well. ""The decrees of God are his eternal, unchangeable, holy, wise, and sovereign purpose, comprehending at once all things that ever were or will be in their causes, conditions, successions, and relations, and determining their certain futurition." —Easton's Illustrated Dictionary

Or Pink's "The decree of God is His purpose or determination with respect to future things."- A.W. Pink, The Attributes of God.

Or Webster: "...predetermined purpose of God; the purpose or determination of an immutable Being, whose plan of operations is, like himself, unchangeable."-Webster's 1828 Dictionary of American English

Eternal Purpose-

Eternal means without beginning or end...literally forever. A purpose is a goal, or aim.

Counsel of His Own Will-

By the instruction of, or following the desires of His own will. They are what He wants.

For His Own Glory-

In order to point the world to Himself. This is not an act of pride, but benevolence (kindness). We need to see Him for who He is.

Foreordained-

To determine in advance

How does God execute His decrees?

God executes His decrees in the works of creation, and providence.

• Revelation 4:11 ESV - "11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.""
• Daniel 4:35 ESV - "35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?""

Creation

That which is made

Providence

I like this dictionary.com definition: Care or preparation in advance; foresight

(We will be addressing creation and providence in the weeks to come.)

SUMMARY:

God has worked everything out to happen the way He wants for the reason He wants, and nothing is outside of His plan. We might not understand this plan. We might not be able to see how it could possibly be from God. But it is.