Survey is not a new method. Much of Deuteronomy is a survey. It is Moses’ rehearsal of wilderness events and teachings leading up to final preparations for the Promised Land. Much of the prayer of Nehemiah 9 is a review of God’s dealings with Israel. Stephen’s sermon in Acts 7 traces God’s choice of leaders from Abraham to Jesus. Stephen is Spirit-inspired and his message is so effective that he is killed for it. Paul begins his message in Acts 13:16-41 with a similar approach, a survey starting at the exodus.
In this course, we survey God’s initiatives, not man’s. Because God is God, and we are not, there is much more to God’s choices than we can comprehend. The principle of Isaiah 55:9 is about God’s unfathomable mercy, but its broad truth touches on every revealed subject.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9).
God has His own reasons for the choices He makes about human roles. Of this we can be certain: God is not a respecter of persons. He shows no partiality (Deuteronomy 10:17; Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9). His reasons for roles are good and valid. They are wise and meaningful. That remains true whether we fully comprehend them or not.