Role of Providence in Human Life and Experience
Divine providence refers to God's continuous activity of preserving and governing all things through secondary causes [1]. This concept emphasizes that nothing occurs by chance, but rather everything is guided by God's will and counsel [2].
The scope of God's providence is understood to be comprehensive, extending to various aspects of existence. It encompasses the natural world, as seen in passages like Psalm 104:14 and Acts 14:17, which speak of God providing vegetation and fruitful seasons [1]. The brute creation also falls under divine care, with examples such as Psalm 104:21-29 and Matthew 6:26, where God feeds the birds of the air [1]. Furthermore, providence governs the affairs of humanity, including nations and individuals. This is supported by scriptures like 1 Chronicles 16:31, Psalm 47:7, and Daniel 2:21, which describe God as ruling among the nations and changing times and seasons [1]. Even the free actions of individuals are considered within the purview of providence, as suggested by Exodus 12:36 and Psalm 33:14-15 [1].
One significant aspect of providence is its operation through "second causes" [1]. This means that while God is the ultimate orchestrator, events unfold through natural processes, human decisions, and other intermediate factors. For instance, in the story of Joseph, God's providence is seen in his advancement and the subsequent preservation of Jacob's family during a famine, achieved through Pharaoh's dreams and Joseph's interpretation [6]. These events, though seemingly ordinary, are understood as directed by God for specific purposes [6].
The concept of providence also addresses situations that appear to be random or accidental to human perception. Matthew Henry, commenting on Proverbs 16:33, states that "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" [2]. This perspective suggests that even when lots are cast to decide a matter, God's hand is involved in the outcome [2].
In human experience, providence is often recognized in unexpected turns of events or in the alignment of circumstances. For example, Adam Clarke describes an "admirable display of the economy of Providence" in the parallel visions of Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10 [3]. Cornelius's prayer leads to a vision preparing him for Peter, while Peter's prayer leads to a vision preparing him to instruct Cornelius. While Peter is still pondering his vision, messengers, guided by "especial Providence," arrive, and the Holy Spirit clarifies the situation for him [3]. This illustrates how seemingly separate events converge under divine direction.
Another example of providence in individual lives is seen in the story of Esther. Mordecai suggests to Esther that her elevated position as queen might not be merely for her own sake, but for a public purpose, asking, "who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14) [4]. This implies that her "providential station" was part of a larger divine plan for the deliverance of her people [4].
Providence is also understood to work through the diverse conditions and temperaments of people. Matthew Henry notes on Proverbs 29:13 that God "serves the designs of his providence by persons of very different tempers, capacities, and conditions in the world," including both the poor and the rich [7]. These individuals, despite their differences, interact in ways that contribute to God's overarching plan [7].
The nonconformist tradition, as exemplified by Matthew Henry, frequently highlights God's active governance in the world. In his commentary on Ezekiel 1:15-21, Henry observes that "the glory of God appears not only in the splendour of his retinue in the upper world, but in the steadiness of his government here in this lower world" [5]. The "wheels" in Ezekiel's vision are interpreted as representing God's control over earthly affairs [5].
The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition also emphasizes God's active involvement. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on 2 Corinthians 13:14, speaks of "the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ" as encompassing "all the favor and beneficence that come from and through the Redeemer of the world; as the Lord, the ruler and governor of all things" [8]. This highlights Christ's role in the ongoing governance and distribution of divine blessings, which aligns with the concept of providence. Clarke further connects this to "the love of God," which induced creation and the formation of humanity in God's image [8].
The concept of providence is distinct from fatalism. While God's will is supreme, human actions and choices are still considered significant. The idea that God uses "second causes" implies that human agency is part of the divine plan, not negated by it [1]. For instance, Mordecai's challenge to Esther to act on behalf of her people suggests that her choice was meaningful within God's providential design [4].
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 (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”
- 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”
- 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”
- Ezekiel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ezekiel 1:15: The prophet is very exact in making and recording his observations concerning this vision. And here we have, I. The notice he took of the wheels, Eze 1:15-21. The glory of God appears not only in the splendour of his retinue in the upper world, but in the steadiness of his government here in this lower world. Having seen how God does according to his will in the armies of heaven, let us now see how he does according to it among the inhabitants of the earth; for there, on the earth, the prophet saw the wheels, Eze 1:15. As he beheld the living creatures, and was c”
- 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”
- 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 ”
- 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 13:14: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ - All the favor and beneficence that come from and through the Redeemer of the world; as the Lord, the ruler and governor of all things; as Jesus, the Savior of all men by his passion and death; as Christ, the distributer of all that Divine unction which enlightens, comforts, harmonizes, and purifies the mind. May this most exalted, glorious, and all-sufficient Savior, be ever with you! And the love of God - God, your Maker, in that infinite love which induced him to create the world, and form man in his own image and in hi”