Divine Providence and Human Wishes in Scripture
Divine Providence and Human Wishes in Scripture
The concept of divine providence is deeply intertwined with human wishes in Scripture, suggesting that God's sovereignty and human desires are not mutually exclusive. Divine providence refers to God's care and governance over all creation, guiding events according to His will [1].
Scripture illustrates that human wishes can be aligned with or contrary to God's providential plans. For instance, the Psalmist expresses a desire for God's merciful kindness, acknowledging that his afflictions are just, yet praying for mercy [6]. This reflects a biblical pattern where individuals pray for their desires while submitting to God's providential will.
In the New Testament, Paul expresses his desire to visit Rome, but conditions it on God's will, indicating an awareness of divine providence guiding his plans [2]. Similarly, the story of Esther highlights the interplay between human action and divine providence. Mordecai's exhortation to Esther to act courageously, suggesting that she was providentially placed in her position for a purpose, underscores this theme [7].
The biblical view of providence encompasses not just grand events but also the minutiae of life, including human decisions and desires. The casting of lots, as mentioned in Proverbs, is seen as being under God's direction, illustrating how even seemingly random events are part of His providence [5].
Theological traditions have grappled with the relationship between divine providence and human wishes. Some emphasize God's sovereignty in guiding human events, while others highlight human agency and responsibility. The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, represented by Matthew Henry, emphasizes trust in God's providence and the importance of prayer in aligning human wishes with God's will [4, 6].
The Dead Sea Scrolls, specifically the Thanksgiving Hymns, reflect a similar perspective, acknowledging human limitations and the sovereignty of God in determining the path of humanity [3]. This ancient Jewish text underscores the theme that human desires and plans are subject to God's providential guidance.
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; ”
- Romans “requesting, if by any means now at last I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you. -- Romans 1:10”
- Dead Sea Scrolls “Thanksgiving Hymns (Hodayot) (1st century BCE), section 2: before You? He is kneaded from dust, and his dwelling is the food of worms. He is but pinched-off clay, and his desire is for dust. What shall clay reply, that which is formed by hand? And what counsel can it understand?" "I know that righteousness does not belong to a man, nor perfection of way to a son of man. To God Most High belong all works of righteousness, and the way of man is not established except by the spirit which God has fashioned for him." "As for me, I know that no riches compare with Your truth, and I have no desire ap”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:173: Here, 1. David prays that divine grace would work for him: Let thy hand help me. He finds his own hands are not sufficient for him, nor can any creature lend him a helping hand to any purpose; therefore he looks up to God in hopes that the hand that had made him would help him; for, if the Lord do not help us, whence can any creature help us? All our help must be expected from God's hand, from his power and his bounty. 2. He pleads what divine grace had already wrought in him as a pledge of further mercy, being a qualification for it. Three things he pleads: - ”
- 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 119:76: Here is, 1. An earnest petition to God for his favour. Those that own the justice of God in their afflictions (as David had done, Psa 119:75) may, in faith, and with humble boldness, be earnest for the mercy of God, and the tokens and fruits of that mercy, in their affliction. He prays for God's merciful kindness (Psa 119:76), his tender mercies, Psa 119:77. He can claim nothing as his due, but all his supports under his affliction must come from mere mercy and compassion to one in misery, one in want. "Let these come to me," that is, "the evidence of them (clea”
- Esther (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Esther 4:14: Then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise - He had a confidence that deliverance would come by some means; and he thought that Esther would be the most likely; and that, if she did not use the influence which her providential station gave her, she would be highly culpable. And who knoweth whether thou art come - As if he had said, "Is it likely that Divine providence would have so distinguished thee, and raised thee from a state of abject obscurity, merely for thy own sake? Must it not have been on some public account! Did not he see what was coming? and ha”