Mystery of Providence and Human Dependence on God

The Mystery of Providence and Human Dependence on God

The concept of providence is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, emphasizing God's active involvement in the world and human affairs. Providence refers to God's foresight, preservation, and governance of all things through secondary causes ^[1]. This doctrine is supported by various scriptures, such as Psalms 18:35, 63:8, Acts 17:28, Colossians 1:17, and Hebrews 1:3, which highlight God's sustaining power and care over creation.

The scope of God's providence is vast, extending to the natural world, brute creation, and human affairs. It encompasses the preservation of creatures, provision for their needs, and the protection and guidance of the righteous ^[2]. For instance, Psalm 104:14, 135:5-7, and Acts 14:17 demonstrate God's providence in the natural world, while Matthew 6:26 and 10:29 illustrate His care for creation. Moreover, 1 Samuel 2:6, Psalm 18:30, and Luke 1:53 show how God's providence affects individuals.

The mystery of providence is closely tied to human dependence on God. According to Matthew Henry, "the best man is no better than God makes him; and every creature is that to us which it is the will of God that it should be" ^[8]. This understanding underscores the idea that human actions and outcomes are subject to God's sovereignty. Proverbs 16:33 and 20:24 emphasize that even seemingly casual or fortuitous events are directed by God's providence.

The biblical account of Cornelius and Peter in Acts 10 illustrates the intricate workings of providence. Adam Clarke notes that Cornelius's prayer and vision, as well as Peter's vision and subsequent actions, demonstrate an "admirable display of the economy of Providence" ^[7]. This narrative highlights the interconnectedness of human actions and divine guidance.

The doctrine of providence also intersects with the concept of mystery, as seen in the Pauline epistles. Ephesians 5:32 and Colossians 4:3 refer to the mystery of Christ and the church, while 1 Timothy 3:16 describes the mystery of godliness ^{[4, 6, 5]}. These passages underscore the profound and often incomprehensible nature of God's workings.

John Gill's commentary on Job 11:6 and Psalms 25:14 provides insight into the relationship between providence and the secrets of God. According to Gill, the "secrets of wisdom" include the doctrines of election, redemption, and justification, which are revealed to those who fear God ^{[10, 9]}. This perspective emphasizes the idea that God's providence is not only mysterious but also tied to His larger purposes of salvation.

The biblical wisdom literature, particularly Ecclesiastes, grapples with the complexities of providence. John Gill's commentary on Ecclesiastes 8:16 highlights the difficulties of understanding God's providential dealings, especially in the face of apparent injustices or uncertainties ^[11]. This struggle to comprehend providence is a recurring theme in biblical wisdom.

The early Christian historian Flavius Josephus reflects on the certainty of divine providence and prophecy, citing the example of Ahab and Jehoshaphat ^[3]. This account illustrates the conviction that God's providence is not only mysterious but also ultimately just and discriminating.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Providence — Literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes (Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). God's providence extends to the natural world (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17), the brute creation (Ps. 104:21-29; Matt. 6:26; 10:29), and the affairs of men (1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7; Prov. 21:1; Job 12:23; Dan. 2:21; 4:25), and of individuals (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53; James 4:13-15). It extends also to the free actions of men (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14, 15; ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Providence of God, The — Is his care over his works -- Ps 145:9. Is exercised in Preserving his creatures. -- Ne 9:6; Ps 36:6; Mt 10:29. Providing for his creatures. -- Ps 104:27,28; 136:25; 147:9; Mt 6:26. The special preservation of saints. -- Ps 37:28; 91:11; Mt 10:30. Prospering saints. -- Ge 24:48,56. Protecting saints. -- Ps 91:4; 140:7. Delivering saints. -- Ps 91:3; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 63:12. Bringing His words to pass. -- Nu 26:65; Jos 21:45; Lu 21:32,33. Ordering the ways of men. -- Pr 16:9; 19”
Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 15, section 19: that although Ahab hoped Jehoshaphat would be mistaken for him, and run the only risk of being slain in the battle, yet he was entirely disappointed, while still the escape of the good man Jehoshaphat, and the slaughter of the bad man Ahab, demonstrated the great distinction that Divine providence made betwixt them.] 44 (return) [ We have here a very wise reflection of Josephus about Divine Providence, and what is derived from it, prophecy, and the inevitable certainty of its accomplishment; and that when wicked men think they ”
Ephesians “Ephesians 5:32 (LEB) — (This mystery is great, but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.)”
I Timothy “I Timothy 3:16 (Geneva1599) — And without controuersie, great is the mysterie of godlinesse, which is, God is manifested in the flesh, iustified in the Spirit, seene of Angels, preached vnto the Gentiles, beleeued on in the world, and receiued vp in glorie.”
Colossians “Colossians 4:3 (Webster) — At the same time praying also for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:”
Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 10:17: While Peter doubted - the men - stood before the gate - In all this we find an admirable display of the economy of Providence. Cornelius prays, and has a vision which prepares him to receive instruction from Peter: Peter prays, and has a vision which prepares and disposes him to give instruction to Cornelius. While he is in doubts and perplexity what the full meaning of the vision might be, the messengers, who had been despatched under the guidance of an especial Providence, came to the door; and the Holy Spirit gives him information that his doubts should be all cle”
Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 20:24: We are here taught that in all our affairs, 1. We have a necessary and constant dependence upon God. All our natural actions depend upon his providence, all our spiritual actions upon his grace. The best man is no better than God makes him; and every creature is that to us which it is the will of God that it should be. Our enterprises succeed, not as we desire and design, but as God directs and disposes. The goings even of a strong man (so the word signifies) are of the Lord, for his strength is weakness without God, nor is the battle always to the strong. 2. W”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 25:14: The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him,.... The secret of his purposes with them; as his purpose according to election; his resolution to redeem his chosen ones by his Son; his design to call them by his grace; his predestination of them to the adoption of children, and eternal life; which are the deep things of God the Spirit of God reveals; and all which are made manifest to them in effectual calling; and the secret of his providences is with them; some are made known to them that fear the Lord before they come to pass; as the destruction of Sodom and Go”
Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 11:6: And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom,.... Either of sound doctrine, in opposition to his own doctrine he had such a vain opinion of; and then he would see, as he thought, that it was not so pure as he imagined it to be: the Gospel, and the doctrines of it, are the wisdom of God, the produce of it, and in which it is displayed; as in the doctrines of election to grace and glory, of redemption by Christ, of justification by his righteousness, and pardon by his blood; by which all the divine perfections are glorified, the justice and holiness of God, as well as”
Ecclesiastes (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ecclesiastes 8:16: When I applied mine heart to know wisdom,.... The nature and causes of things; the wisdom of God in his providence, and the grounds and reasons of his various dispensations towards the children of men: the Targum interprets it, the wisdom of the law; and to see the business that is done upon the earth; either the business of Providence, in dealing so unequally with the righteous and the wicked, before observed; and which is a business very afflictive and distressing for curious persons to look into, not being able to account for it: or the labour and toil of m”

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