Relationship Between God's Sovereignty and Providence
The Relationship Between God's Sovereignty and Providence
God's sovereignty refers to his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure [2]. This concept is closely tied to the doctrine of providence, which denotes God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes [1]. In essence, God's sovereignty is the foundation for his providential care over his creation.
The biblical basis for understanding God's sovereignty and providence can be seen in various passages. For instance, Psalm 103:19 states that "The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all" [5]. This verse highlights God's sovereignty over all creation. Similarly, Proverbs 16:33 notes that "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord," illustrating God's providential care even in seemingly random events [4].
The relationship between God's sovereignty and providence is further elucidated in the context of his care for his people. According to Matthew Henry, God's providence "orders and directs those things which to us are perfectly casual and fortuitous" [4]. This understanding is echoed in the writings of John Gill, who notes that God's providence is exercised in preserving, providing for, and protecting his creatures [6].
The scope of God's providence is comprehensive, extending to the natural world, the brute creation, and the affairs of men and individuals [1]. It also encompasses the free actions of men, as seen in Exodus 12:36 and 1 Samuel 24:9-15 [1]. This comprehensive providence is a manifestation of God's sovereignty, demonstrating his control over all aspects of creation.
In the view of Nonconformist/Puritan theologians like Matthew Henry, the two kingdoms of providence and grace are closely intertwined. Henry notes that "all our temporal affairs being in a necessary subjection to divine Providence, and all our spiritual and eternal concerns in a necessary dependence upon divine grace" [3]. This perspective highlights the integral relationship between God's sovereignty and providence in the lives of believers.
The Baptist/Reformed tradition, represented by John Gill, also emphasizes the connection between God's sovereignty and providence. Gill's commentary on Genesis 28:13 underscores God's role in ordering and directing all things in providence for the glory of his name and the good of his people [6].
The interplay between God's sovereignty and providence has significant implications for understanding the Christian life. As Matthew Henry observes, God's providence serves the designs of his purposes by persons of very different tempers, capacities, and conditions in the world [7]. This observation highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of God's providential care.
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; ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sovereignty — Of God, his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Rom. 9:15-23; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 4:11).”
- Zechariah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Zechariah 6 (introduction): The two kingdoms of providence and grace are what we are all very nearly interested in, and therefore are concerned to acquaint ourselves with, all our temporal affairs being in a necessary subjection to divine Providence, and all our spiritual and eternal concerns in a necessary dependence upon divine grace; and these two are represented to us in this chapter - the former by a vision, the latter by a type. Here is, I. God, as King of nations, ruling the world by the ministry of angels, in the vision of the four chariots (Zac 6:1-8). II. God, as Kin”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 16:33: Note, 1. The divine Providence orders and directs those things which to us are perfectly casual and fortuitous. Nothing comes to pass by chance, nor is an event determined by a blind fortune, but every thing by the will and counsel of God. What man has neither eye nor hand in God is intimately concerned in. 2. When solemn appeals are made to Providence by the casting of lots, for the deciding of that matter of moment which could not otherwise be at all, or not so well, decided, God must be eyed in it, by prayer, that it may be disposed aright (Give a perfect lo”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 103:19: Here is, I. The doctrine of universal providence laid down, Psa 103:19. He has secured the happiness of his peculiar people by promise and covenant, but the order of mankind, and the world in general, he secures by common providence. The Lord has a throne of his own, a throne of glory, a throne of government. He that made all rules all, and both by a word of power: He has prepared his throne, has fixed and established it that it cannot be shaken; he has afore-ordained all the measures of his government and does all according to the counsel of his own will. He ha”
- Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 28:13: And behold, the Lord stood above it,.... Ordering, directing, and overruling all things in Providence, for the glory of his name and the good of his people; and may signify, as the ladder may be a figure of Christ, that Jehovah the Father, is above him, as man and Mediator, and makes himself known in and by him, and delivers out all his blessings and promises through him, both temporal and spiritual, and such as follow: and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: their covenant God and Father in Christ, who had made promises unto them,”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 29:13: This shows how wisely the great God serves the designs of his providence by persons of very different tempers, capacities, and conditions in the world, even, 1. By those that are contrary the one to the other. Some are poor and forced to borrow; others are rich, have a great deal of the mammon of unrighteousness (deceitful riches they are called), and they are creditors, or usurers, as it is in the margin. Some are poor, and honest, and laborious; others are rich, slothful, and deceitful. They meet together in the business of this world, and have dealings with ”