Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "overturning" in a biblical context often refers to the act of God reversing, disrupting, or transforming situations, kingdoms, or the plans of individuals. It signifies a divine intervention where the established order is altered according to God's sovereign will. This concept is prevalent throughout Scripture, illustrating God's authority over human affairs and His ability to bring about His purposes despite human intentions.
Biblical Instances:1.
Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The concept of overturning is frequently associated with God's judgment and His sovereign control over nations and rulers. In the book of Ezekiel, God declares His intention to overturn the kingdom of Judah as a consequence of their disobedience:
"A ruin, a ruin, I will make it a ruin! It will not be restored until the one to whom it belongs arrives; to him I will give it." (
Ezekiel 21:27).
This passage underscores God's authority to dismantle and reestablish kingdoms according to His divine plan.
2.
Reversal of Fortunes: Overturning can also refer to the reversal of fortunes, where God changes the circumstances of individuals or groups. In the account of Esther, Haman's plot to destroy the Jews is overturned, leading to his downfall and the elevation of Mordecai:
"On that day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her." (
Esther 8:1).
This narrative highlights God's providential care and His ability to protect and vindicate His people.
3.
Prophetic Fulfillment: The theme of overturning is also evident in prophetic literature, where God promises to overturn the current order to establish His kingdom. In the book of Daniel, the vision of the statue representing successive empires is ultimately overturned by a divine kingdom:
"In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever." (
Daniel 2:44).
This prophecy assures believers of the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over earthly powers.
4.
Moral and Spiritual Overturning: Overturning is not limited to political or physical realms but extends to moral and spiritual transformations. Jesus' ministry is marked by overturning societal norms and religious expectations, as seen in His cleansing of the temple:
"Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves." (
Matthew 21:12).
This act symbolizes the purification and reformation of worship, emphasizing the need for genuine devotion over ritualistic practices.
Theological Implications:The concept of overturning in the Bible serves as a reminder of God's omnipotence and His active role in history. It reassures believers that no matter how entrenched or formidable a situation may seem, God has the power to change it according to His will. This theme encourages faith and trust in God's ultimate plan, even amidst uncertainty and apparent chaos. It also calls for humility, recognizing that human plans are subject to divine revision and that God's purposes will prevail.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Overturn.
Library
TheOverturning which is visible on Every Hand.
... Chapter Six The Signs of the Redeemer's Return 5. TheOverturning which is
visible on every hand. "I will overturn, overturn, overturn...
But I do not Understand How He Can Imagine theOverturning of the...
... Chapter XXI. But I do not understand how he can imagine theoverturning
of the tower of? But I do not understand how he can imagine...
On the Holy Martyr, S. Babylas.
... evil spirits. What then was the return for this worship? Theoverturning
of cities, the bitterest famine of all famines. For ye...
A Message from God for Thee
... be broken down. So God goes onoverturning,overturning,overturning in
the sinner's heart till Christ comes in. After every hope...
The Author to the Reader.
... petulancy and confidence, damnable doctrines, to the perverting of the doctrine
of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to the subverting andoverturning of the...
The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... advocated there were many timid souls who felt that this method of study was an
attack upon the Bible, which could only issue in such anoverturning of belief...
Enduring to the End
... If Satan can succeed inoverturning the preachers of the Word, it is as if yon
broad-spreading tree should suddenly fall beneath the axe; prone in the dust it...
Growth in Christliness of Life.
... There must be a moral miracle, there must be a spiritual upsetting andoverturning,
before a carnal heart can begin to imitate the pure and spotless Son of God...
The Middle Colonies: the Jerseys, Delaware, and Pennsylvania --The...
... THE bargainings and conveyancings, the confirmations and reclamations, the setting
up andoverturning, which, after the conquest of the New Netherlands, had...
Methodius, Bishop, to those who Say: what Doth it Profit us that...
... Christ, the Son of God, by the command of the Father, became conversant with the
visible creature, in order that, byoverturning the dominion of the tyrants...
Thesaurus
Overturning (14 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Overturn. Multi-Version
Concordance
Overturning (14 Occurrences). Matthew 21:12 And
...Uproot (17 Occurrences)
... 1:10 See, this day I have put you over the nations and over the kingdoms, for uprooting
and smashing down, for destruction andoverturning, for building up and...
Uprooting (10 Occurrences)
... 1:10 See, this day I have put you over the nations and over the kingdoms, for uprooting
and smashing down, for destruction andoverturning, for building up and...
Trading (24 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the Temple and sent out all who were trading there,
overturning the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those...
Smashing (9 Occurrences)
... 1:10 See, this day I have put you over the nations and over the kingdoms, for uprooting
and smashing down, for destruction andoverturning, for building up and...
Planting (57 Occurrences)
... 1:10 See, this day I have put you over the nations and over the kingdoms, for uprooting
and smashing down, for destruction andoverturning, for building up and...
Offering (850 Occurrences)
... Mark 11:15 And they came to Jerusalem; and he went into the Temple, and sent out
those who were trading there,overturning the tables of the money-changers and...
Overturn (5 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To overpower; to conquer. 4. (n.) The act offoverturning, or the state
of being overturned or subverted; overthrow; as, an overturn of parties....
Overturns (3 Occurrences)
Overturneth (3 Occurrences)
Resources
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