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This is a follow-up to the question I posted last week. Thanks to those who commented.
How is the providence of God commonly defined?
Typically, the providence of God is defined as God working through natural means, as opposed to supernatural. We usually make a distinction between miracles and providence. Both are the work of God. But miracles require the setting aside of established natural law, while providence has God acting within the framework of natural law. Usually, when someone explains what the providence of God is, the explanation is usually something along these lines.
The two most common examples cited of God's providence in the Bible are probably the accounts of Joseph and Esther.
- Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, eventually went to Egypt, was wrongly imprisoned, later released and had ascended to a position of power with the ability to help his brethren during a severe famine. Joseph told his brothers, "God sent me before you to preserve life" (Genesis 45:5). This is often given as an example of God providentially preserving the family of Israel.
- Esther, like Joseph, ascended to a high position in a foreign government, becoming queen of the Persian empire. She was in the position to be able to help the Jewish people against the threat of destruction. Mordecai warned Esther and encouraged her to act. His question to Esther is often cited in discussions about providence - "And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14). Mordecai's question indicates to us that he believed Esther may well have been put in this place by God Himself in order to carry out His will.
A Caution:
We need to be a little bit careful when we talk about God's providence. The only time the word providence is used in the Bible is to refer to the work Felix did as governor (Acts 24:2). The Scriptures never use the word providence to refer to something that God does. This doesn't necessarily mean that the concept is wrong. After all, the New Testament doesn't specifically mention a church treasury, but we can go to different passages to show the concept (such as 1 Corinthians 16:1-2). But we should be cautious in talking about God's providence.
About the Examples Cited...
The common Bible accounts cited as examples of God's providence (Joseph, Esther, others), came at a time when God dealt directly with man. Can we say He still deals directly with man today?
The "Who Knows" Approach
In talking about God's providence, many people use what I call the "who knows" approach. This of course refers to Mordecai's statement, "who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?" Using the common definition of God's providence, we admit that we cannot pinpoint just what is providence and what is not. We just accept that it exists.
But on what basis do we accept that some things come by the direct working of God and some things do not? Are we going to say we just have faith that this is the way God operates? We know where (true) faith comes from - the word of God (Romans 10:17). What Scripture can we point to that shows us that God still works directly in the lives of men today?
On the other hand, we can point to Scriptures like Ecclesiastes 9:11 - "I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all."
Instead of thinking that maybe God somehow manipulated certain events in order for something to happen in our lives, should we maybe just figure it's coincidence?
What Has God Provided?
When we think of providence, it comes from the word provide. I believe it's good for us to be reminded of what God has provided. He has provided His word and His creation. Everything we need, both of a physical nature and a spiritual nature, is available to us when we properly use those things He has given us.
What else do we need? Nothing. So what are we expecting from God that He has not already provided for us?
These are just some things I've been thinking about. I purposely have several question marks in those comments. That's because I'm still studying this topic and letting these things roll around in my cluttered head. I hope I at least made sense. |
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Hope everyone's had a good start to their new year. I didn't have to go into work, which is always nice. Got some stuff done around here and this evening we were able to spend some time with some other couples from church, which we don't get to do often enough. Good start to the new year.
I updated Plain Bible Teaching for the month. I also posted a new year's related article on the PBT blog - The Passing of Time. Feel free to check out either of those.
As far as resolutions go, mine is to get into the habit of saying the year correctly. What do I mean? 2009 should not be pronounced "two thousand nine." It's "twenty oh nine." The year after will be "twenty ten." After all, when you see 1909, you don't say "nineteen hundred nine," you say, "nineteen oh nine." Aren't there more important things I could resolve to do? Sure. But I'll consider those as part of my continued improvement for any time, not just the new year.
Thanks to everyone who commented on my question about the providence of God in my previous post. If you haven't commented on that and you want to, please do. I'll put together some of the things I've been thinking about in regards to that topic and will probably post that in the next few days. |
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But first...
My little girl turned 2 today.
We had some family and friends over tonight for the occasion. We celebrated with hot dogs and chili. Oh, and cake too.
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Now...
Lately, I've been doing some thinking and studying about a particular topic and wanted to get some other perspectives on it. So here's the request:
In your own words, define the providence of God.
Feel free to use any Scriptures and even illustrations in your explanation. I'm really interested in hearing what other people have to say.
So I'm asking you, visitor to my blog, to tell me: what is God's providence? Even if you don't comment here often, or even if you just stumbled across this post and we don't know each other, I'm wanting as many different perspectives as I can get in hopes that it will help me in my study on the topic.
Don't want to leave a public comment here? That's fine. If you're a gold member, you can leave a private comment. Or, if you'd like, you can email me - andysochor [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
Thanks. |
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We made it back from Arkansas this evening.
Had a good time seeing everyone.
But it's also good to be home.
I've got my class and sermon for the morning done.
I'll finish the sermon for the evening in the afternoon.
Tired. Need to go to bed. |
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It's been a little while since I last posted. Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday. (I know I'm a week and a half late on thanking you. Sorry.)
Tomorrow I go to work. Then afterward I'm leaving for Arkansas with my father-in-law and brother-in-law. The women and children left today. I talked to Rachel earlier. They made it safely. We'll head down there and either get there late Monday night or, if we're too tired to drive the whole way, we'll stop for the night and get there in the morning. We'll get to visit with Rachel's family and will come home Saturday.
I'm taking my laptop so maybe if I have any free time, I can get some work done. We'll see. So much to do.
Hope you guys have a good week. Enjoy whatever time off you may have. Tis the season. :) |
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