Moral Decision Making in the Context of Providence

Moral decision-making is deeply intertwined with the concept of providence, which refers to God's care and governance over all creation ^[1]. The biblical basis for understanding providence includes passages that highlight God's involvement in the natural world, the lives of individuals, and the affairs of nations (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17; 1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7) ^[1].

The biblical wisdom literature, particularly Proverbs, emphasizes the importance of living a righteous life, which is considered more pleasing to God than ritual sacrifices (Prov. 21:3) ^[4]. This text underscores the significance of moral actions and decisions in the context of God's providence. According to Proverbs, doing justice and judgment is "chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice" (Prov. 21:3) ^[4]. The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, as represented by Matthew Henry, interprets this passage as emphasizing that living a good life is more acceptable to God than mere ritual observance ^[9].

The concept of providence also involves God's guidance and direction in the lives of believers. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as seen in John Gill's commentary, highlights the role of providence in ordering the ways of men (Prov. 16:9; 19:21) ^[3]. This understanding is reinforced by the idea that God's providence extends to the free actions of men, influencing their decisions and outcomes (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14, 15) ^[1].

In the New Testament, the book of Acts illustrates the interplay between human decision-making and divine providence. The story of Cornelius and Peter (Acts 10) demonstrates how God's providence guides the actions of individuals, preparing them for significant decisions and events ^[7]. According to Adam Clarke, this narrative showcases "an admirable display of the economy of Providence," where both Cornelius and Peter are guided by divine visions and the Holy Spirit ^[7].

The integration of moral decision-making with the concept of providence is further underscored by the understanding that believers should seek to discern God's will in their lives. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill, emphasizes the importance of proving what is acceptable to the Lord, suggesting that moral decisions should be guided by a desire to align with God's will (Eph. 5:9) ^[8].

In conclusion, moral decision-making in the context of providence involves understanding God's care and governance over all creation, living a righteous life, and seeking to discern God's will. The various Christian traditions represented in the sources emphasize the importance of aligning moral decisions with God's providence, whether through the lens of biblical wisdom literature or the narratives of the New Testament. The concept of providence remains a vital aspect of Christian moral decision-making, encouraging believers to trust in God's guidance and direction.

Sources:

^[1] Easton's Bible Dictionary — TIER 1 (factual/linguistic) ^[2] Proverbs — TIER 1 (factual/linguistic) ^[3] Torrey's Topical Textbook — TIER 1 (factual/linguistic) ^[4] Proverbs — TIER 1 (factual/linguistic) ^[5] Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) — TIER 2 (interpretive) ^[6] Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) — TIER 2 (interpretive) ^[7] Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) — TIER 2 (interpretive) ^[8] Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) — TIER 2 (interpretive) ^[9] Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) — TIER 2 (interpretive)

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; ”
Proverbs “Proverbs 1:3 (LITV) — to receive instruction in prudence, justice, and judgment, and uprightness;”
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”
Proverbs “Proverbs 21:3 (YLT) — To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.”
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”
Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 21:3: To do justice and judgment,.... The moral duties of religion, what is holy, just, and good, which the law requires; what is agreeably to both tables, piety towards God, and justice to men; that which is just and right between man and man; which, especially if done from right principles and with right views, is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice; not than any sacrifice; than the sacrifice of a broken heart, or the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, or of acts of goodness and beneficence, or of a man's whole self to the Lord; but than ceremonial sacrifice”
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”
Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:9: Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. There are many things that are acceptable to God, as the person of Christ, his righteousness, sacrifice, sufferings, death, and mediation; the persons of his people, their services, sufferings, sacrifices of prayer, and praise to him, and of bounty and liberality to the poor; their graces, and the exercise of them; and the actions of their lives and conversations, when they are becoming the Gospel, are according to the will of God, and are done in faith, and are directed to his glory: and these things which are acceptable to”
Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 21:3: Here, 1. It is implied that many deceive themselves with a conceit that, if they offer sacrifice, that will excuse them from doing justice, and procure them a dispensation for their unrighteousness; and this makes their way seem right, Pro 21:2. We have fasted, Isa 58:3. I have peace-offerings with me, Pro 7:14. 2. It is plainly declared that living a good life (doing justly and loving mercy) is more pleasing to God than the most pompous and expensive instances of devotion. Sacrifices were of divine institution, and were acceptable to God if they were offered in”

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