The Providence of God in History and Human Affairs
The providence of God refers to His care and governance over all creation, including the natural world, the brute creation, and human affairs [1]. This concept is rooted in biblical teachings, with passages such as Psalm 104:14, Acts 14:17, and Psalm 135:5-7 illustrating God's providential care over the natural world. The providence of God extends to the affairs of men, influencing the course of human events and the lives of individuals (1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7; Prov. 21:1; Job 12:23; Dan. 2:21; 4:25) [1].
In the view of John Gill, God's providence is exercised in preserving His creatures, providing for them, and prospering His saints (Ps. 36:6; 104:27,28; 136:25; 147:9; Mt. 6:26; Ge. 24:48,56) [2]. This understanding is echoed in the writings of Matthew Henry, who notes that God's providence orders and directs events that may seem casual or fortuitous to humans (Prov. 16:33) [4].
The biblical account of Joseph's life in Genesis 41 illustrates God's providence in action, as He advances Joseph to a position of power and uses him to maintain Jacob's family during a time of famine. Matthew Henry observes that "the eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the earth, and direct the affairs of the children of men for the benefit of those few whose hearts are upright with him" [5].
The concept of providence is closely tied to the idea of God's sovereignty over human affairs. According to Adam Clarke, the book of Numbers presents a "series of astonishing providences and events" that demonstrate God's holiness, justice, benevolence, and mercy [6]. The Psalmist also reflects on God's providential care, recalling His works of creation and providence to strengthen faith (Ps. 77:11) [3].
In the Reformed tradition, the providence of God is understood as an expression of His sovereign will, guiding human events toward His intended purposes. This understanding is reflected in the writings of John Gill, who notes that God's providence is exercised in bringing His words to pass and ordering the ways of men (Nu. 26:65; Jos. 21:45; Lu. 21:32,33; Pr. 16:9; 19:21) [2].
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”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 77:11: I will remember the works of the Lord,.... His works of creation and providence, his government of the world, and particularly his regard for his own people, and his preservation of them, especially the people of Israel, whom he had not cast off, nor would and so might serve to strengthen his faith, that he would not cast him off for ever: and in like manner, what God has done for his people in a way of grace, in their redemption by Christ, and in a work of grace upon their souls, may be improved to the removing of doubts and fears, and unbelief, and for the strength”
- 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”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 41 (introduction): Two things Providence is here bringing about: - I. The advancement of Joseph. II. The maintenance of Jacob and his family in a time of famine; for the eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the earth, and direct the affairs of the children of men for the benefit of those few whose hearts are upright with him. In order to these, we have here, 1. Pharaoh's dreams (Gen 41:1-8). 2. The recommendation of Joseph to him for an interpreter (Gen 41:9-13). 3. The interpretation of the dreams, and the prediction of seven years of plenty and seven years of fami”
- Numbers (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Numbers 36:13: These are the commandments, etc. - See these different terms analyzed and explained, Lev 26:15 (note). Thus ends the book of Numbers, containing a series of astonishing providences and events. Scarcely any piece of history in the sacred writings is better calculated to impress the mind of a serious reader with a sense of the goodness and severity of God. In every transaction his holiness and justice appear in closest union with his benevolence and mercy. From such a Being what have the wicked not to fear! From such a Father and Friend what have the upright not to ”