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Examples of God's Provision and Guidance in Scripture

God's provision and guidance are demonstrated throughout Scripture through various examples, illustrating His active involvement in the lives of individuals and nations. This divine activity encompasses both direct intervention and the establishment of principles for human conduct.

One significant aspect of God's guidance is His revealed will, communicated through His commandments and instructions. The commandment itself is described as a "lamp," and instruction as a "light," guiding individuals in the "way of life" [9]. God provides wisdom and understanding through His revelation [14]. The Scriptures are considered "holy, just, and good," containing "righteous" testimonies that instruct in righteousness and promote godly living [15]. These divine instructions are not merely suggestions but are commands that God expects His people to follow, with promises of blessing for obedience [11].

Biblical narratives offer numerous instances of God's provision. For example, Noah and his family were preserved from the flood, an act of divine protection for those who remained faithful [7]. The midwives in Egypt, who feared God and refused to obey Pharaoh's command to kill male Hebrew infants, were blessed by God, who "dealt well with the midwives" and "built them houses" [6]. This demonstrates God's provision for those who honor Him even in difficult circumstances.

God's guidance is also evident in His overarching plan for salvation, often referred to as predestination or election. This doctrine, while complex and belonging to the "secret things" of God, asserts that God's eternal and sovereign purpose governs all events, particularly concerning salvation [2]. The book of Acts highlights this, noting that God's hand directs events to achieve His purposes [13]. This divine direction is seen in the Old Testament as well, where God's hand is recognized in the affairs of His people [13].

The Bible also presents numerous individuals who exemplify reliance on God's provision and guidance:

God's power and goodness are the foundation for trust in His provision and guidance. He controls natural forces and nations, and His word is a swift messenger that executes His purpose, bringing about providential wonders [16, 17]. The prophets, such as Isaiah, delivered God's instructions and teachings through the law [12]. They also serve as examples of enduring affliction with strength and patience [8].

God's counsel includes His instruction and will [10]. The concept of God's guidance is not merely about receiving commands but also about understanding His purposes and submitting to His sovereignty [1]. This submission is exemplified by Christ and is commanded for believers [1].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Predestination — This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events. This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we take the revealed word of God as our guid”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glorifying God — Commanded -- 1Ch 16:28; Ps 22:23; Isa 42:12. Due to him -- 1Ch 16:29. For his Holiness. -- Ps 99:9; Re 15:4. Mercy and truth. -- Ps 115:1; Ro 15:9. Faithfulness and truth. -- Isa 25:1. Wondrous works. -- Mt 15:31; Ac 4:21. Judgments. -- Isa 25:3; Eze 28:22; Re 14:7. Deliverance. -- Ps 50:15. Grace to others. -- Ac 11:18; 2Co 9:13; Ga 1:24. Obligation of saints to -- 1Co 6:20. Is acceptable through Christ -- Php 1:11; 1Pe 4:11. Christ, an example of -- Joh 17:4. Accomplished by Relying on his promises. -- Ro 4:20. Praising him. -- Ps 50:23. Doing all ”
  6. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Exodus 1:17 cross-references: Genesis 20:11, Genesis 42:18, Exodus 1:21, 1 Samuel 22:17, 2 Samuel 24:4, Nehemiah 5:15, Esther 3:3, Psalms 31:19, Proverbs 8:13, Proverbs 16:6, Proverbs 24:11, Ecclesiastes 8:12, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Daniel 3:16, Daniel 6:13, Hosea 5:11, Micah 6:16, Matthew 10:28, Luke 12:5, Acts 4:18, Acts 5:29”
  7. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Genesis 7:1 cross-references: Genesis 6:9, Genesis 6:18, Genesis 7:7, Genesis 7:13, Job 5:19, Psalms 33:18, Psalms 91:1, Proverbs 10:6, Proverbs 10:9, Proverbs 11:4, Proverbs 14:26, Proverbs 18:10, Isaiah 3:10, Isaiah 26:20, Ezekiel 9:4, Ezekiel 14:14, Zephaniah 2:3, Matthew 24:37, Luke 17:26, Acts 2:39, Philippians 2:15, Hebrews 11:7, 1 Peter 3:20, 2 Peter 2:5”
  8. James “James 5:10 (BBE) — Take as an example of pain nobly undergone and of strength in trouble, the prophets who gave to men the words of the Lord.”
  9. Proverbs “Proverbs 6:23 (Rotherham) — For, a lamp, is the commandment, and, the instruction, a light, and, the way of life, are the reproofs of correction:”
  10. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 107:11: 107:11 God’s counsel includes his instruction and will.”
  11. Hosea (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hosea 10:12: 10:12 Using metaphors from agriculture, God set forth his requirements for his people and a promise of blessing if they did what he commanded (see 6:6; 8:7). Even as Hosea announced God’s judgment, he offered Israel the chance to repent and receive God’s blessing.”
  12. Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 8:20: 8:20 God gave instructions and teachings through the law and through his prophets, such as Isaiah (see 8:16).”
  13. Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 4:28: 4:28 God’s hand had been directing events all along in order to achieve his purpose. A similar awareness of God’s hand guiding the affairs of his people is found in the Old Testament (cp. Ezra 7:6, 9, 28; 8:18, 31; Neh 2:8, 18; Eccl 9:1; Ezek 8:1; Rom 8:28; 1 Pet 5:6).”
  14. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 2:6: For--God is ready (Jam 1:5; Jam 4:8). out of his mouth--by revelation from Him.”
  15. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:134: Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous,.... The Scriptures are holy, just, and good; and what is contained in them are according to godliness; are for instruction in righteousness, and teach men to live soberly, righteously, and godly; and very faithful; or "true" (u): all the sayings in them are true and faithful sayings; for they are the sayings of God that cannot lie; the promises in them are faithfully performed by him that made them; they are all yea and amen in Christ. The words may be rendered, "thou hast commanded righteousness in thy test”
  16. Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 147:15: God's Word, as a swift messenger, executes His purpose, for with Him to command is to perform (Gen 1:3; Psa 33:9), and He brings about the wonders of providence as easily as men cast crumbs.”
  17. Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 65:6: God's great power and goodness are the grounds of this confidence. These are illustrated in His control of the mightiest agencies of nature and nations affecting men with awe and dread (Psa 26:7; Psa 98:1, &c.), and in His fertilizing showers, causing the earth to produce abundantly for man and beast.”
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