Understanding Providence in a Fallen World
Understanding Providence in a Fallen World
The concept of providence is rooted in biblical teachings, describing God's active involvement in the world, guiding and sustaining all things [1]. In a fallen world, the doctrine of providence addresses the complexities of God's sovereignty amidst human sin and suffering.
According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, providence encompasses God's foresight, preservation, and governance of all things through secondary causes, extending to the natural world, brute creation, and human affairs [1]. This understanding is supported by various biblical passages, such as Psalm 104:14, Acts 14:17, and Colossians 1:17.
In the view of Nonconformist/Puritan theologian Matthew Henry, providence is evident in the narrative of Joseph, where God's guidance and provision are seen in the midst of adversity (Genesis 41). Henry notes that providence is at work in both the advancement of Joseph and the maintenance of Jacob's family during a time of famine [2]. Similarly, Methodist/Wesleyan commentator Adam Clarke observes that providence is displayed in the encounter between Peter and Cornelius, where prayer, vision, and circumstance converge to facilitate the spread of the gospel (Acts 10:17) [3].
The biblical wisdom literature also sheds light on providence. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, representing a Presbyterian tradition, interpret Ecclesiastes 3:11 as indicating that God has given humanity the capacity to understand the world as reflecting His wisdom, although human understanding is limited [5].
In the face of uncertainty and suffering, the prophet Habakkuk exemplifies a posture of watchful waiting, seeking to understand God's ways and respond in faith (Habakkuk 2:1). Matthew Henry's commentary on this passage highlights the importance of attentive listening to God's voice and observing the steps of His providence [4].
The book of Ezekiel presents a vivid depiction of God's providential government, with the wheels within wheels symbolizing the intricate and dynamic nature of divine sovereignty (Ezekiel 1:15-21). Matthew Henry's exposition on this passage underscores the steadiness of God's government in the midst of earthly turmoil [6].
The book of Revelation further unfolds the mystery of providence, revealing the ultimate triumph of God's purposes in the world. Matthew Henry's commentary on Revelation 5:1 and 21 (introduction) notes that the designs and methods of divine providence are predetermined and fixed, with the ultimate goal of bringing about a new heaven and a new earth [7, 8].
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; ”
- 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”
- 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”
- Habakkuk (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Habakkuk 2:1: Here, I. The prophet humbly gives his attendance upon God (Hab 2:1): "I will stand upon my watch, as a sentinel on the walls of a besieged city, or on the borders of an invaded country, that is very solicitous to gain intelligence. I will look up, will look round, will look within, and watch to see what he will say unto me, will listen attentively to the words of his mouth and carefully observe the steps of his providence, that I may not lose the least hint of instruction or direction. I will watch to see what he will say in me" (so it may be read), "what the Spi”
- Ecclesiastes (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ecclesiastes 3:11: his time--that is, in its proper season (Psa 1:3), opposed to worldlings putting earthly pursuits out of their proper time and place (see on Ecc 3:9). set the world in their heart--given them capacities to understand the world of nature as reflecting God's wisdom in its beautiful order and times (Rom 1:19-20). "Everything" answers to "world," in the parallelism. so that--that is, but in such a manner that man only sees a portion, not the whole "from beginning to end" (Ecc 8:17; Job 26:14; Rom 11:33; Rev 15:4). PARKHURST, for "world," translat”
- 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”
- Revelation (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Revelation 5:1: Hitherto the apostle had seen only the great God, the governor of all things, now, I. He is favoured with a sight of the model and methods of his government, as they are all written down in a book which he holds in his hand; and this we are now to consider as shut up and sealed in the hand of God. Observe, 1. The designs and methods of divine Providence towards the church and the world are stated and fixed; they are resolved upon and agreed to, as that which is written in a book. The great design is laid, every part adjusted, all determined, and every thing pas”
- Revelation (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Revelation 21 (introduction): Hitherto the prophecy of this book has presented to us a very remarkable mixture of light and shade, prosperity and adversity, mercy and judgment, in the conduct of divine Providence towards the church in the world: now, at the close of all, the day breaks, and the shadows flee away; a new world now appears, the former having passed away. Some are willing to understand all that is said in these last two chapters of the state of the church even here on earth, in the glory of the latter days; but others, more probably, take it as a representation of”