5 They arose at twilight to go to the camp of the Arameans; when they came to the outskirts of the camp of the Arameans, behold, there was no one there.
6 For the Lord had caused the army of the Arameans to hear a sound of chariots and a sound of horses, even the sound of a great army, so that they said to one another, "Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us."
7 Therefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents and their horses and their donkeys, even the camp just as it was, and fled for their life.
I would like to show you a beautiful example of the lack of free will. In the passage above I’m sure that the Arameans thought they were making a “free-will” decision to flee their camp just as those who think they made the “free-will” decision to accept Christ.
However, regarding the Arameans, the problem is the Scripture is clear that the Lord caused the Army to hear what wasn’t there which in turn caused them to flee. From a purely secular standpoint, did the Arameans make a “free-will” decision? Of course they did. Just as Joseph’s brothers did what they wanted to do when they sold Joseph into slavery. But it is clear in both situations they did exactly what God wanted them to do. I know the Arminian will say that God had foreknowledge of their actions. I don’t argue that at all. I contend He had foreknowledge because He ordained their fearful flight to occur (and Joseph’s sale into slavery - Genesis 50:20). How can I say that with certitude? I just apply the principles found in God’s Word to that situation. Proverbs 16:9 clearly says that God directs the steps of man. God was directing the steps of the Arameans.
In the true sense of “free will” did the Arameans have it? No. But the Sovereign of the Universe made them think they had free will.
Regarding the Arminians, the problem is the Scripture is just as clear that the Lord causes people today to do what He wants them to do. Just because we live in the age of Grace does not negate passages in the Old Testament like Proverbs 16:9. The Lord STILL works in the lives of ALL men to accomplish His plan for each and every single human being on the face of the earth. If they are not chosen He directs their lives to accomplish His will not only in their lives but in the lives of those they touch - their future is appointed/destined and it is ALL for His Glory (Romans 9:22-23, 1 Peter 2:8).
If a man is already saved, God’s Word is clear in this regard as well. Actions taken against believers by the lost or other believers has been laid out and planned by God (1 Thessalonians 3:3, Philippians 1:29, 2:13).
God has it rigged, there is no “free will” in our lives. We are SLAVES to sin, or SLAVES to righteousness (Romans 6:17-18) and slaves have no free will. We became a child of God not because we chose Him (John 15:16), but because He chose us - and He did it LONG before we were ever born (Ephesians 1:4) and long BEFORE we had done anything good (accept Jesus) or bad (reject Jesus). Romans 9:11
In the true sense of “free will” do people today have it? No. But the Sovereign of the Universe makes many think they do.
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