‘Over and against their polytheistic ancient Near Eastern neighbors, ancient Jews emphasized that there is one sovereign Lord over all creation who rules all of history. They thus tended to view God as a supreme ancient Near Eastern monarch king who had ultimate authority over all subordinate angelic and earthly rulers. As a good monarch king, Yahweh takes responsibility (though not moral culpability) for all that transpires within his “court” (the world), including events he himself abhors. Because of this, I argue, biblical authors often depict Yahweh as actively doing what he merely allows. I’ve been impressed with the remarkable number of texts that make this point more or less explicit. Exodus 12 is perhaps the best paradigmatic illustration of this point, for in verse 12 Yahweh says he will slay the firstborn of every household that doesn’t have blood over the door post while in verse 23 he says he will not prevent “the destroyer” from slaying the firstborn of these households.’
source: Gregory Boyd, “Ezekiel 20:25-26 and the Condescending God” (reknew).
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