Question: What does the Torah say about “G-d is Sovereign?” Is G-d in Control of Everything? Where do I find this answer?

Answer: Yes, God is Sovereign! This is clear from the fact that God created all things in Genesis. We also know this because God acts in human lives and gives us commandments (both Jews and non-Jews have commandments) that he expects us to keep. Only a being with sovereignty could give us commands and punish us for not fulfilling those commands. Unlike human kings who have their authority from other human beings; God’s sovereignty comes from no-one. God’s act of creating us, which is an act of undeserved kindness, makes God, by default, our King. We owe everything to God; God owes nothing to us.

Although God is sovereign there is one area where God allows us to be “sovereign”. The Sages of Israel say that everything is in the hands of heaven except the fear of heaven. This means, God decides how much money we have, where we will live, who our parents are – everything in our lives is decided by God. The one thing that is not decided by God is whether or not we will choose to obey God, and draw close to him, or to disobey God, and draw away from him. This is a decision each individual human being makes. This is what is called “free will”.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any more questions.

Shalom,
Adam