Divine Council and Cosmic Redemption: God's Plan Unfolds

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Word is Trustworthy and Worthy of Lifelong Study

God’s Word is not only trustworthy but also deep, inviting us to continually learn, be challenged, and even have our assumptions corrected as we grow in faith. We are encouraged to approach Scripture with humility, knowing that while we can grasp its essentials, its fullness will take a lifetime and more to comprehend. This posture of lifelong learning means we should test what we are taught, even by those we trust, and allow God’s Word to shape and reshape our understanding. The journey of faith is not about having all the answers, but about trusting the One who does and letting His Word guide us, even into uncomfortable or unfamiliar territory. [02:46]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV):
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Reflection:
What is one area of your understanding of God or Scripture that you have resisted re-examining? Will you ask God to help you approach His Word with fresh humility and openness this week?

Day 2: God’s Plan for the Nations—From Scattering to Blessing

When humanity resisted God’s command at Babel, He scattered the nations, but His ultimate purpose was not punishment but blessing. God’s strategy, seen in Genesis 11 and 12, was to choose Abraham and his descendants as a conduit of grace, so that through them all peoples on earth would be blessed. Even in judgment, God’s heart is to draw the nations back to Himself, using His people as a means of restoration and hope for the world. [11:49]

Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV):
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Reflection:
How can you intentionally be a conduit of God’s blessing to someone from a different background or culture this week?

Day 3: God’s Blessing Is Meant to Draw All Nations to Him

God’s desire is to bless His people not for their own sake alone, but so that His ways and salvation would be known among all nations. As Psalm 67 reveals, the flourishing of God’s people is meant to provoke curiosity and longing in others, leading them to seek the God who blesses so abundantly. Our enjoyment of God and obedience to His ways is a testimony that can draw others to Him, making our lives a living invitation to the nations to know and revere the Lord. [17:40]

Psalm 67:1-3, 6-7 (ESV):
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
...
The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us.
God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!

Reflection:
In what practical way can you let God’s blessing in your life point someone else toward Him today?

Day 4: The Reality of Spiritual Realms and the Divine Council

Scripture reveals that there is a spiritual realm with various spiritual beings—some faithful, some rebellious—who have influence over nations and peoples. Passages like Deuteronomy 32, Psalm 82, and Daniel 10 show that God assigned spiritual beings to the nations, but many of these beings became corrupt, seeking worship for themselves rather than pointing people to the true God. Yet, God’s plan has always been to reclaim the nations and bring all people back to Himself, culminating in Christ’s victory over every power and authority. [37:14]

Deuteronomy 32:8-9 (ESV):
When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance,
when he divided mankind,
he fixed the borders of the peoples
according to the number of the sons of God.
But the Lord’s portion is his people,
Jacob his allotted heritage.

Reflection:
How does knowing there is a spiritual battle behind the scenes change the way you pray for your city, nation, or the world?

Day 5: Christ’s Victory Unites and Reclaims All Nations

Through Jesus, God has triumphed over every spiritual power and authority, making a way for all people—regardless of background—to be united in Him. The gospel is not just about personal salvation, but about the cosmic restoration of all things, reversing the division of Babel and bringing together Jews and Gentiles as one body in Christ. In Him, we are called to participate in this mission, empowered by His authority to proclaim the good news to every nation, knowing that Christ has already disarmed the powers that once held the nations captive. [43:28]

Colossians 2:13-15 (ESV):
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Reflection:
What is one step you can take this week to join in Christ’s mission of reconciliation—whether through prayer, sharing your faith, or serving someone outside your comfort zone?

Sermon Summary

Tonight, we explored the profound and sometimes unsettling reality of the spiritual world as revealed in Scripture, particularly focusing on the concept of the “divine council” and the three spiritual rebellions in Genesis 1–11. We began by affirming the trustworthiness of God’s Word, even when it leads us into unfamiliar or challenging territory. The journey started with the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, where humanity’s pride led to the scattering of nations and the confusion of languages. Yet, even in judgment, God’s ultimate purpose was to bless all nations, a plan that unfolds through His calling of Abraham and the promise that through his descendants, all peoples would be blessed.

We examined how the Old Testament uses terms like Elohim, Adonai, and Yahweh, and how the word “Elohim” can refer to both the one true God and to other spiritual beings. This led us to Deuteronomy 32, where the most reliable ancient manuscripts suggest that when God divided the nations, He did so “according to the number of the sons of God” (Elohim), not the sons of Israel. This points to a spiritual reality: God assigned spiritual beings to oversee the nations, while He took Israel as His own special possession.

Psalm 82 and Daniel 10 further reveal that these spiritual beings, or “gods,” were given authority but many rebelled, seeking worship for themselves rather than pointing the nations back to Yahweh. This rebellion in the spiritual realm mirrors the rebellion of humanity on earth. Yet, God’s plan was never thwarted. Through Christ, the ultimate seed of Abraham, God is reconciling all things—both in heaven and on earth. The New Testament reveals that Jesus has triumphed over all spiritual powers and authorities, disarming them by the cross and uniting Jew and Gentile into one body.

We also saw how Pentecost in Acts 2 reverses Babel, as the nations are brought together in Christ, and how Paul in Acts 17 and Ephesians 6 acknowledges the ongoing spiritual battle against these powers. Ultimately, God’s desire is for all nations to seek Him, and in Christ, the way is open for every people to be reconciled to the one true God. This understanding deepens our appreciation for the scope of the gospel and the cosmic victory of Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Word is trustworthy and invites us to wrestle with its depths, even when it challenges our assumptions. Lifelong learning and humility are essential as we allow Scripture to correct, clarify, and expand our understanding. We must be willing to test what we’ve been taught and let God’s Word speak for itself, even when it leads us into unfamiliar theological territory. [02:46]
2. The division of nations at Babel was not merely a punishment but part of a redemptive strategy. God scattered humanity, assigning spiritual beings to the nations, yet His ultimate goal was to bless all peoples through Abraham’s line. This reveals a God who disciplines but always with the purpose of restoration and blessing, using even human rebellion as a stage for His grace. [11:49]
3. The spiritual realm is more complex than a simple dichotomy of God versus Satan. Scripture reveals a divine council—spiritual beings entrusted with authority over nations, some of whom rebelled and became corrupt. This helps make sense of passages about “princes” over nations (like Persia and Greece) and deepens our understanding of spiritual warfare as involving multiple layers of authority and rebellion. [35:39]
4. Christ’s victory is cosmic in scope, not just personal or individual. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus disarmed not only Satan but all rebellious spiritual authorities, reclaiming the nations and uniting all peoples in Himself. The gospel is the means by which God is reconciling both the earthly and heavenly realms, fulfilling His promise to bless all nations through Abraham. [43:28]
5. Our mission as God’s people is rooted in this cosmic story. We are called to participate in God’s plan to draw all nations back to Himself, empowered by Christ’s authority over every spiritual power. Understanding the spiritual dynamics at play should fuel our commitment to the Great Commission and deepen our awe at the scope of God’s redemptive work. [46:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:46] - Trustworthiness and Depth of God’s Word
[03:58] - Elohim, Adonai, and Yahweh: Understanding the Names
[07:02] - Elohim: Singular or Plural?
[08:53] - Are There Really Other Gods?
[10:03] - The Tower of Babel and God’s Strategy
[11:49] - God’s Scattering and Blessing Through Abraham
[15:08] - Psalm 67: God’s Blessing as a Witness
[17:40] - The Purpose of Blessing: All Nations
[19:40] - Deuteronomy 32: Dividing the Nations
[22:54] - Sons of God vs. Sons of Israel
[26:32] - The Divine Council and Spiritual Authority
[32:00] - Daniel 10: Princes of Persia and Greece
[35:39] - The Divine Council: Theory and Implications
[38:09] - Ephesians: The Mystery and Spiritual Warfare
[43:28] - Colossians: Christ’s Triumph Over Powers
[46:21] - Pentecost: Reversing Babel
[48:59] - Acts 17: Paul’s Message to the Nations
[51:45] - Multiple Rebellions and Spiritual Geography
[54:26] - Wrestling with Implications and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 11:1–9 (ESV) – The Tower of Babel — 2. Deuteronomy 32:7–9 (ESV)
> Remember the days of old;
> consider the years of many generations;
> ask your father, and he will show you,
> your elders, and they will tell you.
> When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance,
> when he divided mankind,
> he fixed the borders of the peoples
> according to the number of the sons of God.
> But the Lord’s portion is his people,
> Jacob his allotted heritage.
3. Psalm 82 (ESV)
> God has taken his place in the divine council;
> in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
> “How long will you judge unjustly
> and show partiality to the wicked?
> ...
> I said, “You are gods,
> sons of the Most High, all of you;
> nevertheless, like men you shall die,
> and fall like any prince.”
> Arise, O God, judge the earth;
> for you shall inherit all the nations!

Observation Questions

In Genesis 11, what was the main reason the people wanted to build the tower, and how did God respond to their plan?
According to Deuteronomy 32:8–9, when God divided the nations, what does the text say about how He assigned them, and who did He claim as His own?
In Psalm 82, who is God addressing, and what is He accusing them of doing wrong?
The sermon mentioned that the word “Elohim” can refer to both the one true God and to other spiritual beings. How does the context help us know which is meant?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon suggests that the scattering at Babel was not just a punishment but part of God’s redemptive plan. How does the calling of Abraham in Genesis 12 show God’s desire to bless all nations, even after judgment?
In Deuteronomy 32 and Psalm 82, spiritual beings are given authority over nations but many rebel. What does this reveal about the complexity of the spiritual realm and God’s relationship to these beings?
The sermon describes Christ’s victory as “cosmic in scope.” How does the New Testament (for example, Colossians 2:15) show that Jesus’ work on the cross affects both the earthly and spiritual realms?
The idea of a “divine council” may be new or challenging. Why is it important, according to the sermon, to let Scripture challenge our assumptions and be open to learning new things about God’s Word?

Application Questions

The sermon encouraged us to be lifelong learners and to let Scripture correct or expand our understanding. Is there a part of the Bible or a teaching about God that you’ve found challenging or uncomfortable? How have you responded to it?
God’s plan at Babel included both discipline and a strategy for blessing all nations. Can you think of a time when God used a difficult or confusing situation in your life to bring about something good or redemptive?
The spiritual world is more complex than just “God vs. Satan.” How does knowing about the divine council and spiritual authorities change the way you think about spiritual warfare or prayer?
Christ’s victory is not just personal but cosmic. In what ways does this bigger picture of the gospel affect how you see your own faith and your role in God’s mission?
The sermon said our mission is rooted in this cosmic story and that we are called to participate in God’s plan to draw all nations to Himself. What is one practical way you can be part of God’s mission to reach people from different backgrounds or nations?
The sermon mentioned that understanding the spiritual dynamics at play should fuel our commitment to the Great Commission. What is one step you can take this week to be more intentional about sharing your faith or praying for the nations?
The pastor shared that it’s okay to wrestle with hard questions and not have all the answers. Is there a question about God, the Bible, or the spiritual world that you’re currently wrestling with? How can the group support you as you seek understanding?

Sermon Clips

So, it seems like maybe there's a divide and conquer strategy going on. It's like, okay, if you can't do it this way, if you're not going to obey me, let me kind of maybe drive you to your knees or weaken you in some way, but I'm going to have this people that are going to actually be my missionary people, my conduit of grace to draw you back. So, I want you to see God scatters them, but his ultimate desire is to bless them. Right? I mean, you agree with me on that? He scatters them, but his ultimate purpose is he wants to be able to bless them. So, he has some kind of strategy going on. [00:13:16] (36 seconds) #DivineDivideAndBless

What God had done in Genesis 11 with the division of the nations, he has a strategy to kind of pick them, pick them off one by one, it seems like, and bring them back by blessing. And the idea of that blessing is illustrated in a variety of places, but in Psalm 67, it's really explicitly illustrated. [00:18:44] (26 seconds) #NationsUnitedInBlessing

If what is happening in Deuteronomy 32 says that when God, when the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he set up boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. By the way, it would be a little strange. Tell me, why would it be strange if this was sons of Israel? If this is referring back to Genesis 11? Yeah. Well, we, there's not even that at that point. Yeah. So it doesn't make sense. God didn't say, well... God didn't say, well...I mean, someone could say, well, prophetically, he was looking into the future, so he did it. But that's not what the text is implying. [00:24:41] (49 seconds) #SonsOfElohimMystery

So I'm making the case that when God does Genesis 11, when he divides the nations, he divides them according to the sons of God, to the Elohim, to the sons of Elohim. Now, who are the sons of Elohim? [00:26:40] (24 seconds) #ChristUnitesAllNations

Here's the good news right is that God's ultimate purpose was to bless all the nations right and who's the ultimate seed is Christ and what the New Testament is about is about all of this authority Christ says all authority on heaven and on earth is mine and so now in Christ there's this union that when it when Paul talks about this mystery this mystery is how all of this division comes together in Christ so that's the good news of where it gets back to. [00:38:12] (34 seconds) #ReversingGenesis11

I'm suggesting to you that the spiritual realm is not simply Satan and demons. It is Satan and other spiritual beings that are fallen, that this, they're not just Satan and demons, but they're Satan, and there's something called Shadim, which is the name for the ones that are more like, have geographical authority. It's, I think, I think that's in Deuteronomy 32, I think is that reference to that word. It's a Hebrew word. I just put it in English. So here, Paul is saying, we're dealing with a whole spiritual realm out there. We're not just dealing with, yes, we are dealing with demons, and we are dealing with Satan, but we're also dealing with these other spiritual forces, these rulers, and these principalities, these kinds of things that are at a higher level. [00:41:34] (58 seconds) #EndOfSpiritualSlack

It seems that what Paul is saying there is that in the past, God was saying, I'm cutting you some slack because I put the prince of Persia over you and I put the prince of Greece over you and I'm cutting you some slack. But now Jesus has come and that slack is no longer there. I forgave your ignorance because you were doing your thing. But now it is over in this man that I've appointed in Jesus. [00:50:42] (25 seconds) #GeographicalSpiritualAuthority

All throughout the old testament the new testament as well there is this geographical concept that that there's a god of this place there's a god and you know what uh you know there's times that david didn't want to go here because he wasn't sure he had the authority going into that new territory when naaman the leper was healed what did he do do you remember how he wanted to worship god naaman the syrian the dirt because god the god who he healed me is the god of this place and so i want to take some of that dirt back with me um i'm not saying that they had all their theology right but i'm just saying there's this understanding of these uh geographies uh but now in christ is like no the one true god is bringing people back reconciling people in all of this again the implications uh you know it's something we'll be unpacking for a long time [00:55:45] (55 seconds)

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