Providence
From Eco-Bible 1
These are notes for an incomplete "Concept" page.
- Information is being added as the Bible Pages are added. In the end, everything will be compiled, further information added (as necessary), broken links connected, etc.
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The normal way God works in the world, accomplishing his purposes. At times, God can work the timing of unexpected events in such a way that it is "miraculous." (The word "miracle" refers to a demonstration of power. Though God can demonstrate his power by working contrary to the laws of nature, which he created, he normally does it by working with them in "extreme" and unexpected ways.
Even the "mundane" aspects of life are a demonstration of providence, since they are accomplishing his will (even when we don't understand the significance of things). Most of the Scripture passages include here will be the "miraculous" demonstrations of providence.
- See also: Miraculous Events. This page would include supernatural works of God, as well as those that seem to be "borderline" between providential and miraculous. (The Bible doesn't concern itself with breaking God's works into two distinct categories. So sometimes it's difficult to know which page to list them on.)
- Some of the Ecological Judgments (and similar) are not listed here... see those pages.
- Providence is also one of the means by which God blesses/curses a nation that honors/dishonors him - see Blessings with Obedience / Curses with Disobedience.
Important consideration - We cannot see the whole picture, so we cannot fully understand the purpose of providence in any specific situation. God has told us the outcome - that all will be for the glory of God and the good of his people. But at the present, there will be many times in which we cannot make sense of it. The wise person will reflect on these words from an old hymn:
- “Blind unbelief is sure to err,
- And scan His work in vain;
- God is His own interpreter
- And He will make it plain.”
- See also: A "Frowning" Providence.
Scripture Pages that Link to Here
- Preparation for the Flood: God closed them in (shut the door), the same day the flood started. The text does not say how, whether by natural or supernatural means. It could be that a "providential" method was used, such as a strong wind or a sudden shift of the earth's surface (as the ground began to break up). Also, we do not know the design of the door - which could make the "how" obvious.
- The destruction of the cities on the plain (Sodom, etc.) - This ecological disaster could possibly be explained in part by natural causes, considering that the region was known for bitumen (a petroleum-based product) - Genesis 14:10. Perhaps a severe earthquake and an explosion were partly responsible for it. Sulfur is mentioned in this passage.
- Regardless of the potential explanations for this disaster, the ultimate cause is related to their moral conduct. God providentially determined when the devastation would happen - and that it would coincide with the need for judgment.
- In all likelihood... When Lot's wife lingered behind the others, she just "happened" to end up in the path of the sulfur compounds that were raining down on everything, and her body was encrusted by them. (The body itself did not have to change its chemical structure.)
- A demonstration of how God providentially accomplishes his purposes. When Ishmael (and his mother) were dying of thirst, God provided in a land scarce of water. The location where the two stopped was next to a hidden well. The well would have been already there, but Hagar didn't see it until God "opened her eyes."
- God blesses Issac, because of the promise he (God) had made to Abraham. God used the events and circumstances that occurred, to result in these blessings.
- In Philistine country, God blesses Isaac with crops and herds; others are jealous and make him leave.
- While Living in a Dry Land, God blesses him with wells of water. (The timing was wonderful, too - example: Gen 26:32.)
Genesis 30 & 31 (selected verses)
- God - Providentially Using Superstitious Practices, in Order to Accomplish His Purposes.
ADD the passage about Joseph? - "You meant it for harm, but God meant it for good."
- Baby Moses - Providential preparation for Israel's future deliverance out of Egypt! When his parents put him in the basket, they were trusting God. God would providentially protect their son. Pharaoh's daughter would adopt him!
- God uses a WIND to divide the Red Sea; the people pass over. He uses a natural cause in a very unexpected way - an expression of Providence.
- God returns the water when Moses stretches out his hand over the sea again. (All God needed to do was to "turn off" the wind, and everything that followed would "naturally" occur.) SEE MORE INFO. AT THE PASSAGE.
- When God performs a providential miracle, the entire event occurs at the exact moments that fit with precision with all the other activities going on. At the very moment Moses did what he did, God providentially did what he did. Even the timing of everything was a demonstration of God's power.
- Israel's response to the Red Sea providential miracle: Praise to God.
- During the years of the land's Sabbath and the Jubilee (when you are not to plant/harvest), God will provide sufficient food. God will also provide safety throughout the land.
- A fire judgment of unknown origin (whether a bolt of fire supernaturally from the sky, or a firestorm providentially brought by God).
- A providential miracle – quails blown in by the wind.
- God dealt with Egypt, using many signs and wonders (miraculous and/or providential events ... he will do the same with the nations in Canaan.
- OBEDIENCE: Deu 28:8 Yahweh will command the blessing on you in your barns, and in all that you put your hand to; and he will bless you in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
- DISOBEDIENCE: Deu 28:20 Yahweh will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke, in all that you put your hand to do, until you are destroyed, and until you perish quickly; because of the evil of your doings, by which you have forsaken me.
- When Israel returns and obeys God, God will bless all that they do. This will include: "Yahweh your God will make you plenteous in all the work of your hand, ... etc."
- When the ark of the covenant was taken to the edge of the Jordan River, the water piled up in a heap. It stayed that way until the ark was taken out of the riverbed on the other side. The exact means by which this happened is not described.
- God, by means not described, identified Achan as the one who stole things that belonged to God.
- God confused/routed the enemy by Israel's surprise attack; then sent hailstones to kill them off (i.e., the majority of them). (He also used miraculous displays of power - stopping the sun and moon.)
- The Lord exalts the lowly and lowers the exalted. (He often uses providential circumstances to accomplish this in the present life. At other times, it will occur at the Day of Justice.)
- God used loud, unexpected thunder to confuse the attacking Philistine army, thus allowing Israel (unprepared for war) to easily defeat them.
- Because of Israel's wickedness in asking for a king, God sent thunder and rain to destroy their wheat harvest. (The issue involved their desire to be like the neighboring pagan nations, and to trust in a king, rather than trusting God.)
2 Samuel 5:22-25 & 1 Chronicles 14:13-16
- David was to approach the Philistine army near the "mulberry" or "balsam" trees (translations vary... this word is not found elsewhere).
- God would cause "the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees," which would indicate that he "has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines." At that point, David's army was to attack, and victory would be theirs.
- The audible sound, which corresponded to God's "going out before them," could have been caused by wind rustling through the leaves. Most likely, it would have covered-up any sound made by David's army; so his attack on them would be a total surprise.
1 Kings 8:35-40 & 2 Chronicles 6:26-31
- Comment: Understanding "Providence" helps us understand how God can bring environmental judgments; and then bring blessings once there has been genuine repentance by the people. It helps us understand why focusing on the problems themselves won't solve them.
- The curse against re-fortifying Jericho was fulfilled, with the death of the builder's firstborn and lastborn sons (and any sons that may have been born between these two).
- The army was to dig trenches; God would fill them. (Torrential rains in the mountains could result in flash floods in the valley.) This would accomplish two things: 1) it would sustain these three armies (= God would bring water); 2) it would devastate the Moabite army (= they would mistake the water for blood, and walk into an ambush)!
- God blinded the Syrians, so they didn't recognize where they were...
- Providence = the most likely explanation for what happened in this passage. (See the passage for more details.)
- In the space of a few minutes, Job lost everything he had. Satan did this, but it was with God's permission. Later, Satan would also afflict Job with a serious skin disease. God would use all this to accomplish good in Job's life.
- God sends rain...
- God uses the storm both to judge and to bless. (Twice mentioned here.)
- God uses the daylight to providentially restrain the deeds of the wicked, who often try to do their evil when nobody can see them!
- Hail and snow: described as examples of God's providential use of creation to accomplish his purposes. On more than one occasion, Israel saw this demonstrated (at least the use of hail)!
- Various weather-related events - God providentially controls them all.
- This entire passage (including the chapters that follow) are filled with examples of how God interacts with creation (described symbolically).
- This section focuses on God's wisdom and power, and is a good illustration of how Providence works. God providentially rules over these creatures, accomplishing his purposes.
- God providentially provides food for the wild animals. In this present world system, with the judgment that came because of sin, this includes animals that kill other animals for food, or that eat animals that have died.
- The animals do instinctively what God created them to do.
- (Implied in these verses) - Psa 33:18-19 Behold, Yahweh's eye is on those who fear him (rather than trusting in their own resources), on those who hope in his loving kindness; to deliver their soul from death, to keep them alive in famine.
- This whole chapter is a reflection on the way God providentially interacts with creation.
- All creatures are dependent on God for their very existence. God will use the "laws of nature" (which he created) to accomplish it. This is providence in action. (Also included are comments about "A "Frowning" Providence" - how providence works in a world that has been corrupted by human sin. This is temporary, until sin is forever removed from the earth.)
- God providentially prepared things, so that Abraham's offspring would be spared from the famine (Genesis 45:7), even using the evil deeds of Joseph's brothers (Genesis 50:20).
- A number of examples of God's protection and/or deliverance of Israel are given. These were providential and/or miraculous demonstrations of God's power.
- Deliverance and blessings for those who call upon God (and who repent, if necessary). Many of the acts of deliverance, shown in these examples, are providential in nature.
- Yahweh "causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth; who makes lightnings with the rain; who brings forth the wind out of his treasuries." (Psa 135:7)
- He also "struck many nations, and killed mighty kings, ... and gave their land for a heritage, a heritage to Israel, his people." (Psa 135:10-12)
- Psalm 139:13-16 - A description of God's watchful care over the formation of the unborn's body - a demonstration of his providential power.
- As with many other passages in Scripture, we read here about God's providential control over creation.
- Pro 16:3 Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.
- However, your deeds need to be consistent with God's will. Don't try to sin and think that God will help you! (Other verses explain why things might not seem to work this way - such as when God is doing something better in your life, or when there is sin in your life, etc.)
- The main way that God accomplishes his purposes in this world. (We won't understand these purposes until eternity arrives.)
- Ecc 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can't find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end. (See Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 for more comments.)
- Providence would also be one of the ways God accomplishes this: Ecc 3:18 I said in my heart, "As for the sons of men, God tests them (i.e., makes them aware), so that they may see that they themselves are like animals (i.e., they are mortal and will die).
- We cannot predict the future. The "love or hatred" comes equally to both the righteous and the wicked. This refers to those types of things that come by means of God's "providence."
- Things that can disrupt life (#1): Time and chance. Both of these may seem random to us. But people who belong to God know that such things are all part of God's grand and providential purpose of accomplishing good in the lives of those who love him (Romans 8:28).
- They reinforced their defenses, but refused to look to the God who was sending this judgment!
- In v. 11, God reminds him of his providential role in what was happening.
- This passage describes God's providential role in blessings - safety, security, offspring, etc.
- The victory over the Philistines wasn't because of Saul's decisions, but because of God's providential activity – a response to Jonathan's trust in God.
- There are many instances in which God providentially sent devastating hail as a form of judgment.
Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.
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