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 Dear
bro. Turner:
What
is meant by the “providence of God,” and how or by what
means does this
operate? TF
Reply:
The
expression “providence of God” does not occur in the
scriptures, and the word “providence” is found only once
(Acts 24:2 KJ) where it refers to the “forethought” of Gov.
Felix — real or flattery — in correcting certain national
problems or “evils”. We do not mean to suggest there is no
“providence of God” but would caution those who glibly
assign all sorts of specifics to God’s intervention.
Arndt
and Gingrich (Lexicon) indicate the word “pronoia”
(forethought) was used frequently among the Greeks with
reference to the planning and concern of the gods; and translate
the word in Acts 24:2 as meaning, “foresight, care; make
provision for something, be concerned for or about something.”
Its only other use in the N. T. is in Rom. 13:14, “.....make
not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
A
kindred word, “pronoeo” is used three times in the N. P.: 1
Tim. 5:8 “If any provideth not for his own...” Rom.
12: 17 “Provide things honest..” (“Take thought for
things honorable” R.V.) and 2 Cor. 8: 21 “For we take thought
for things honorable...“ (RV) In Heb. 11:40 “God having
provided...” the word “provided” is from “problepo”
and means “to foresee”. It should be obvious that “providence”
refers primarily to “looking ahead” “planning” “forethought”
rather than to some “spur of the moment” intervention to
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alter the chain or natural events.
God
“thought ahead” in arranging natural and
spiritual laws, so as to show His care for us. (1 Pet 5:7) The
evil—doers are punished (Rom. 12:19) in God’s own good way
and time (Rom. 13: 3—4), and this was true in the days of
Roman persecution of Christians, as today. God “will not
suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able” to bear, but
makes “the way of escape.” (1 Cor. 10: 13 RV) Viewing this
as the “providence” of God, we must consider it as a part of
God’s “forethought” or “advance planning” in the very
nature of things, rather than a last minute door opening, by
some supernatural intervention.
God
chastens His children, for their good (Heb. 12:6-f), directs our
life-span (Jas. 4:13-16); in the light of which we are urged to
be humble. I pray for wisdom (Jas. 1:5....8) not knowing
how such wisdom will be given me, but believing that God has “looked-
ahead” and provided such benefits for his children.
Did
God simply “make some laws” and is now “doing nothing”? Such
questions betray our failure to grasp the timeless nature of God.
When we say God “thought ahead” we are using accommodative
language — God IS — and there is no past, present, future
with Him. What God “provided” (our past) He “provides”
(our present) and “will provide” (our future). There
is no separating the laws or provisions of God, from God
Himself. I know nothing of the “modus operandi” of God,
except as revealed in His word, whereby I believe, or TRUST, in
Him.
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