He seeks ways to bring us to Him
| And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us (Acts17:26-27) |
Paul is addressing Areopagus in Athens and his audience is largely pagan philosophers. He appeals to their religious lifestyle, addresses their pagan worship and seeks to answer their question of his new doctrine. Rather than quoting scripture directly, he appeals to nature and creation, to show that God is distinct from idols and sovereign over all creation.
In the previous verses Paul settles matters of creation buy referring to God as the one who made the world and all that is in it (vs24). He further breaks down all barriers of racial and ethnic differences by pointing all men to one common ancestor Adam. By doing so he captures all humankind to one order of existence. He also points out to God as the one who orders times of existence and geographical settings. Paul presents the sovereignty of God which is his power and authority over the events of the earth both past and present.
Paul's argument suggests that God is intimately involved in the flow of history and directs it towards his predestined will. This predestined will is that humanity might seek him and find him.
This predestined will is God's plan of redemption for humankind through our Lord Jesus Christ. The creation plan and geographical arrangement by God is meant to prompt or create a desire in humankind to seek him. God initiates the relationship with humanity, the Greek word zētein used in verse 27 also implies to desire. The fall of humankind through the disobedient of Adam in Genesis 3 took away his desire for God but now Paul presents an idea of God's plan to bring humanity back to him.
Though our search for God is impaired by sin God is still accessible to us. Though the words "seek" and "find" might bring an idea of distance but Paul still present God as not far from us. The sovereignty of God includes his omnipresent, He is both transcendent and near; accessible to all who truly seek him (Jer.29:13).
Nations exist so that people might turn to God, not away from him. He is not distant or unknowable, but desires to be found as per his predestined will. This is a call for us to continually seek God and his perfect will.
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Rev M Hlela Drakensburg Presbytery
