So far we have noticed the way in which ancient Hebrew writers used the term elohim and bene elohim in Genesis and Job. Now, let’s look at a couple of passages in the book of Psalms. These were written after Genesis but they provide a window into the culture and theology of the biblical authors and the original audience.
1 God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: 2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
Psalm 82:1-2; 6-7 (ESV)
6 I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; 7 nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.
This is a good place to see the concept of the divine council in scripture. Notice, God (singular) is “in the midst” of the gods (plural). And he is not happy with the gods. Why? Because they have failed to administer justice and rescue the weak (vss. 2-4). Verses six and seven are astonishing. The gods, “sons of the Most High” will die like men! God is judging corrupt elohim after the events of the tower of Babel (Deut. 32:8, Gen. 11:8).
5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones! 6 For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD, 7 a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him?
Psalm 89:5–7 (ESV)
The heavens can’t praise God’s wonders unless they are the abode of an assembly of holy ones. Then they are the ones who praise his wonders (vs. 5). The Lord is being compared to other beings in the skies/heavens (vs. 6). There is a council comprised of “holy ones” (vs. 7).
The Divine Council
Here is a definition from The Lexham Bible Dictionary.
DIVINE COUNCIL A term used by Hebrew Bible scholars for the heavenly host, the assembly of divine beings who administer the affairs of the cosmos under Yahweh, the God of Israel. All ancient Mediterranean cultures had some conception of a divine council, including Israel. However, Israelite religion’s divine council was distinct. The structure of the Israelite divine council has implications for understanding God and the unseen world in biblical theology.
Michael S. Heiser, “Divine Council,” ed. John D. Barry et al.
Why does God need a divine council? He doesn’t. But it is his way of allowing heavenly beings to participate in his rule and reign. This concept of participation will become very important when we get to Genesis 1:26 and even into the New Testament. The idea of God inviting participation in his purposes is an important foundational concept in biblical interpretation and theology.
An Example From 1 Kings 22
Ahab, king of Israel, asked Jehoshaphat, king of Judah to go to war with him against the king of Syria. Jehoshaphat said yes but wanted to inquire of the Lord before going into battle. Ahab brought false prophets in who predicted victory. Jehoshaphat asked if there was a prophet of the Lord that they could ask. Ahab said yes, Micaiah, but I hate him because he never prophesies good things about me. After a little drama between the false prophets, king Ahab, and Micaiah, the truth comes out. Micaiah prophesies that Ahab and Jehoshaphat would be defeated and he shares what he saw take place in heaven.
19 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left; 20 and the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said one thing, and another said another. 21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, saying, ‘I will entice him.’ 22 And the LORD said to him, ‘By what means?’ And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’
1 Kings 22:19-22 (ESV)
Notice what is going on here. God asks those around him who will entice Ahab to go into battle so that he may die. There is a discussion. Then a “spirit” volunteers. God said how will you do it. An explanation is given and God gave the go ahead. Looks like a council meeting, doesn’t it? The next few verses describe Ahab’s death in battle.
There are concepts in scripture that overlap with the “divine council”. Ancient people expected kings to have a council, extended families who participated in the affairs of the kingdom, subjects, messengers, throne room guardians, and even armies. All of these concepts are related to Yahweh and his rule in scripture. But the thing we should grasp going forward is that God was not alone in heaven when he created the earth and everything in it.
Questions
- What does Deuteronomy 32:8 have to do with Genesis 11:8?
- Why do you think the idea of participation with God’s purposes is important?
- What stands out to you the most in the 1 Kings 22 passage about Ahab, Jehoshaphat, the false prophets and Micaiah?
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