THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD. 2 "The foresight and forethought of the infinite God who planned the creation of man and a world in which to place him.

THE PROVIDENCE OF THE PROVIDENCE OF GODGOD


2



"The foresight and forethought "The foresight and forethought of the infinite God who planned of the infinite God who planned the creation of man and a world the creation of man and a world in which to place him—in which to place him—

3



"a world in which He could "a world in which He could control the destiny of the control the destiny of the inanimate creation and direct inanimate creation and direct man to the consummation of His man to the consummation of His purpose." (Homer Hailey, purpose." (Homer Hailey, Prayer Prayer and Providenceand Providence, p. 123), p. 123)

4



"General providence" concerns "General providence" concerns God’s support, care and God’s support, care and supervision of His material supervision of His material creation from beginning to end. creation from beginning to end.

5



"Special providence" concerns "Special providence" concerns God’s support, care and God’s support, care and supervision of His spiritual supervision of His spiritual creation. creation.

6



God is able to provide for both God is able to provide for both His material and spiritual His material and spiritual creations, without violating creations, without violating either "the laws of nature" or either "the laws of nature" or the free will of man.the free will of man.

7

Providence and NatureProvidence and NatureProvidence and NatureProvidence and Nature

Nature Nature existsexists by the will of God. by the will of God.

Nature was Nature was organizedorganized by God. by God.

Nature is Nature is balancedbalanced by God. by God.

Nature is Nature is regulatedregulated by God. by God.

8

Providence and Free Will

Providence and Free Will

As the crown of creation, man As the crown of creation, man exists on two planes - physical exists on two planes - physical and spiritual. and spiritual.

As a result, man is subject to As a result, man is subject to both physical laws and spiritual both physical laws and spiritual laws.laws.

God uses man to achieve His God uses man to achieve His purposes.purposes.

9

Providence and Governments


God God ordainedordained civil government. civil government.

10

1 Peter 2:13-141 Peter 2:13-14

Therefore submit yourselves to Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do for the praise of those who do good. good.

11

1 Peter 2:15-161 Peter 2:15-16

For this is the will of God, that For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish silence the ignorance of foolish men-- as free, yet not using men-- as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. bondservants of God.

12

1 Peter 2:171 Peter 2:17

Honor all people. Love the Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. the king.

13

Acts 5:27Acts 5:27

And when they had brought And when they had brought them, they set them before the them, they set them before the council. And the high priest council. And the high priest asked them, asked them,

14

Acts 5:28Acts 5:28

saying, "Did we not strictly saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!"this Man's blood on us!"

15

Acts 5:29Acts 5:29

But Peter and the other apostles But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men." to obey God rather than men."

16

John 19:10John 19:10

Then Pilate said to Him, "Are Then Pilate said to Him, "Are You not speaking to me? Do You You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to crucify You, and power to release You?"release You?"

17

John 19:11John 19:11

Jesus answered, "You could have Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me no power at all against Me unless it had been given you unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the who delivered Me to you has the greater sin."greater sin."

18

Genesis 9:1Genesis 9:1

So God blessed Noah and his So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: "Be sons, and said to them: "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. earth.

19


"And the fear of you and the "And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be on every dread of you shall be on every beast of the earth, on every bird beast of the earth, on every bird of the air, on all that move on of the air, on all that move on the earth, and on all the fish of the earth, and on all the fish of the sea. They are given into the sea. They are given into your hand. your hand.

20

Genesis 9:3-4Genesis 9:3-4

"Every moving thing that lives "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the given you all things, even as the green herbs. But you shall not green herbs. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. blood.

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"Surely for your lifeblood I will "Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man. From the hand of every man's brother I will require the man's brother I will require the life of man. life of man.

22


"Whoever sheds man's blood, By "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made in the image of God He made man." man."

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God ordained civil government.God ordained civil government.In that statement God implicitly In that statement God implicitly authorized at least two branches authorized at least two branches of government - executive and of government - executive and judicial. judicial.

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God ordained civil government.God ordained civil government.The executive branch would have The executive branch would have the twofold responsibility of the twofold responsibility of investigating any and all investigating any and all suspicious deaths and of executing suspicious deaths and of executing those convicted of murder. those convicted of murder.

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God ordained civil government.God ordained civil government.The judicial branch would be The judicial branch would be responsible for determining the responsible for determining the likely guilt of murder suspects.likely guilt of murder suspects.

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God ordained civil government.God ordained civil government.

God God influencesinfluences* civil * civil governments.governments.

Inasmuch as all civil governments Inasmuch as all civil governments are ruled by some man or group of are ruled by some man or group of men, God can easily influence civil men, God can easily influence civil governments by influencing those governments by influencing those who rule them.who rule them.

* * "to produce an effect without "to produce an effect without using force."using force."

27




God influences civil God influences civil governments.governments.

He can also influence civil He can also influence civil governments by influencing those governments by influencing those who are governed. who are governed.

28





By influencing Pharaoh’s butler, By influencing Pharaoh’s butler, for example, He influenced for example, He influenced Pharaoh. Pharaoh.

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And by influencing Pharaoh, He And by influencing Pharaoh, He influenced all of Egypt. influenced all of Egypt.

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God sets up rulers and puts down God sets up rulers and puts down rulers.rulers.

31

Daniel 2:20Daniel 2:20

Daniel answered and said: Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. and might are His.

32


"And He changes the times and "And He changes the times and the seasons; the seasons; He removes kings He removes kings and raises up kingsand raises up kings; He gives ; He gives wisdom to the wise And wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have knowledge to those who have understanding." understanding."

33

Romans 9:17Romans 9:17

For the Scripture says to For the Scripture says to Pharaoh,Pharaoh, "For this very purpose "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all My name may be declared in all the earth."the earth."

34





Pharaoh was responsible for his Pharaoh was responsible for his actions. actions.

35

Exodus 8:32Exodus 8:32

But Pharaoh hardened his heart But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would at this time also; neither would he let the people go.he let the people go.

36





God God usesuses civil governments. civil governments.He used Egypt to put fear into He used Egypt to put fear into Canaan. Canaan.

37

Joshua 2:1Joshua 2:1

Now Joshua the son of Nun sent Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, "Go, to spy secretly, saying, "Go, view the land, especially view the land, especially Jericho." So they went, and Jericho." So they went, and came to the house of a harlot came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there. named Rahab, and lodged there.

38


And it was told the king of And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, "Behold, men Jericho, saying, "Behold, men have come here tonight from have come here tonight from the children of Israel to search the children of Israel to search out the country."out the country."

39


So the king of Jericho sent to So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, "Bring out the Rahab, saying, "Bring out the men who have come to you, who men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for have entered your house, for they have come to search out all they have come to search out all the country."the country."

40


Then the woman took the two Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, men and hid them. So she said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were did not know where they were from. from.

41


"And it happened as the gate "And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not Where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for know; pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them."you may overtake them."

42


(But she had brought them up to (But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.)laid in order on the roof.)

43


Then the men pursued them by Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate. they shut the gate.

44

Joshua 2:8-9Joshua 2:8-9

Now before they lay down, she Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, came up to them on the roof, and said to the men: "I know and said to the men: "I know that the Lord has given you the that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. fainthearted because of you.

45


"For we have heard how the "For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. you utterly destroyed.

46


"And as soon as we heard these "And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. earth beneath.

47


"Now therefore, I beg you, "Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the Lord, since I swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to you also will show kindness to my father's house, and give me my father's house, and give me a true token, a true token,

48


"and spare my father, my "and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death."deliver our lives from death."

49





God uses civil governments.God uses civil governments.God promised to bless Jeroboam if God promised to bless Jeroboam if he would simply do the right thing. he would simply do the right thing.

50

1 Kings 11:371 Kings 11:37

"So I will take you, and you shall "So I will take you, and you shall reign over all your heart desires, reign over all your heart desires, and you shall be king over and you shall be king over Israel. Israel.

51

1 Kings 11:38a1 Kings 11:38a

"Then it shall be, if you heed all "Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in My that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, My commandments,

52

1 Kings 11:38b1 Kings 11:38b

"as My servant David did, then I "as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to for David, and will give Israel to you."you."

53





God uses civil governments.God uses civil governments.But Jeroboam did not do the right But Jeroboam did not do the right thing. thing.

54

1 Kings 12:25-261 Kings 12:25-26

Then Jeroboam built Shechem in Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim, and the mountains of Ephraim, and dwelt there. Also he went out dwelt there. Also he went out from there and built Penuel. And from there and built Penuel. And Jeroboam said in his heart, "Now Jeroboam said in his heart, "Now the kingdom may return to the the kingdom may return to the house of David:house of David:

55

1 Kings 12:271 Kings 12:27

"If these people go up to offer "If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the sacrifices in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah."king of Judah."

56

1 Kings 12:281 Kings 12:28

Therefore the king asked advice, Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and made two calves of gold, and said to the people, "It is too said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!"from the land of Egypt!"

57

1 Kings 12:29-301 Kings 12:29-30

And he set up one in Bethel, and And he set up one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. Now the other he put in Dan. Now this thing became a sin, for the this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before people went to worship before the one as far as Dan. the one as far as Dan.

58

1 Kings 12:311 Kings 12:31

He made shrines on the high He made shrines on the high places, and made priests from places, and made priests from every class of people, who were every class of people, who were not of the sons of Levi. not of the sons of Levi.

59

1 Kings 12:321 Kings 12:32

Jeroboam ordained a feast on Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast that was in month, like the feast that was in Judah, and offered sacrifices on Judah, and offered sacrifices on the altar. the altar.

60

1 Kings 12:321 Kings 12:32

So he did at Bethel, sacrificing So he did at Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made. to the calves that he had made. And at Bethel he installed the And at Bethel he installed the priests of the high places which priests of the high places which he had made. he had made.

61

1 Kings 12:331 Kings 12:33

So he made offerings on the So he made offerings on the altar which he had made at altar which he had made at Bethel on the fifteenth day of Bethel on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in the month the eighth month, in the month which he had devised in his own which he had devised in his own heart. heart.

62

1 Kings 12:331 Kings 12:33

And he ordained a feast for the And he ordained a feast for the children of Israel, and offered children of Israel, and offered sacrifices on the altar and sacrifices on the altar and burned incense. burned incense.

63





God uses civil governments.God uses civil governments.So God used the kingdom of Israel So God used the kingdom of Israel as an example to other nations. as an example to other nations.

64

Isaiah 9:8-9Isaiah 9:8-9

The Lord sent a word against The Lord sent a word against Jacob, And it has fallen on Israel. Jacob, And it has fallen on Israel. All the people will know-- All the people will know-- Ephraim and the inhabitant of Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria-- Who say in pride and Samaria-- Who say in pride and arrogance of heart:arrogance of heart:

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"The bricks have fallen down, "The bricks have fallen down, But we will rebuild with hewn But we will rebuild with hewn stones; The sycamores are cut stones; The sycamores are cut down, But we will replace them down, But we will replace them with cedars." Therefore the Lord with cedars." Therefore the Lord shall set up The adversaries of shall set up The adversaries of Rezin against him, And spur his Rezin against him, And spur his enemies on, enemies on,

66

Isaiah 9:12Isaiah 9:12

The Syrians before and the The Syrians before and the Philistines behind; And they Philistines behind; And they shall devour Israel with an open shall devour Israel with an open mouth. For all this His anger is mouth. For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still. stretched out still.

67


For the people do not turn to For the people do not turn to Him who strikes them, Nor do Him who strikes them, Nor do they seek the Lord of hosts. they seek the Lord of hosts. Therefore the Lord will cut off Therefore the Lord will cut off head and tail from Israel, Palm head and tail from Israel, Palm branch and bulrush in one day. branch and bulrush in one day.

68


The elder and honorable, he is The elder and honorable, he is the head; The prophet who the head; The prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail. For teaches lies, he is the tail. For the leaders of this people cause the leaders of this people cause them to err, And those who are them to err, And those who are led by them are destroyed. led by them are destroyed.

69


Therefore the Lord will have no Therefore the Lord will have no joy in their young men, Nor have joy in their young men, Nor have mercy on their fatherless and mercy on their fatherless and widows; For everyone is a widows; For everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer, And hypocrite and an evildoer, And every mouth speaks folly. every mouth speaks folly.

70


For all this His anger is not For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is turned away, But His hand is stretched out still. stretched out still.

71


For wickedness burns as the For wickedness burns as the fire; It shall devour the briers fire; It shall devour the briers and thorns, And kindle in the and thorns, And kindle in the thickets of the forest; They shall thickets of the forest; They shall mount up like rising smoke. mount up like rising smoke.

72


Through the wrath of the Lord of Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts The land is burned up, And hosts The land is burned up, And the people shall be as fuel for the people shall be as fuel for the fire; No man shall spare his the fire; No man shall spare his brother. brother.

73


And he shall snatch on the right And he shall snatch on the right hand And be hungry; He shall hand And be hungry; He shall devour on the left hand And not devour on the left hand And not be satisfied; Every man shall eat be satisfied; Every man shall eat the flesh of his own arm. the flesh of his own arm.

74


Manasseh shall devour Ephraim, Manasseh shall devour Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; and Ephraim Manasseh; Together they shall be against Together they shall be against Judah. For all this His anger is Judah. For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still. stretched out still.

75


"Woe to those who decree "Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, Who write unrighteous decrees, Who write misfortune, Which they have misfortune, Which they have prescribedprescribed

76


"To rob the needy of justice, And "To rob the needy of justice, And to take what is right from the to take what is right from the poor of My people, That widows poor of My people, That widows may be their prey, And that they may be their prey, And that they may rob the fatherless. may rob the fatherless.

77


"What will you do in the day of "What will you do in the day of punishment, And in the punishment, And in the desolation which will come from desolation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for afar? To whom will you flee for help? And where will you leave help? And where will you leave your glory? your glory?

78


"Without Me they shall bow "Without Me they shall bow down among the prisoners, And down among the prisoners, And they shall fall among the slain." they shall fall among the slain." For all this His anger is not For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is turned away, But His hand is stretched out still.stretched out still.

79




God influences civil God influences civil governments .governments .

God uses civil governments.God uses civil governments.God used both Rome and Israel to God used both Rome and Israel to bring His eternal purpose to its bring His eternal purpose to its final consummation. final consummation.

80

Acts 4:24Acts 4:24

So when they heard that, they So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is earth and the sea, and all that is in them, in them,

81

Acts 4:25Acts 4:25

"who by the mouth of Your "who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: 'Why servant David have said: 'Why did the nations rage, And the did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? people plot vain things?

82

Acts 4:26Acts 4:26

'The kings of the earth took 'The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.'Lord and against His Christ.'

83

Acts 4:27-28Acts 4:27-28

"For truly against Your holy "For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to purpose determined before to be done."be done."

84





God uses civil governments. God uses civil governments. But God does not cause nations to But God does not cause nations to do evil.do evil.

85

Jeremiah 18:7Jeremiah 18:7

"The instant I speak concerning "The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, down, and to destroy it,

86

Jeremiah 18:8Jeremiah 18:8

"if that nation against whom I "if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. thought to bring upon it.

87

Jeremiah 18:9-10Jeremiah 18:9-10

"And the instant I speak "And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it."I said I would benefit it."

88

Proverbs 14:34Proverbs 14:34

Righteousness exalts a nation, Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any But sin is a reproach to any people. people.

89





God uses civil governments.God uses civil governments.

God God rulesrules in the kingdom of in the kingdom of men.men.

90


Then Daniel answered, and said Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, "Let your gifts before the king, "Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and read the writing to the king, and make known to him the make known to him the interpretation. interpretation.

91


"O king, the Most High God gave "O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory and kingdom and majesty, glory and honor. honor.

92

Daniel 5:19aDaniel 5:19a

"And because of the majesty "And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples, that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. trembled and feared before him.

93

Daniel 5:19bDaniel 5:19b

"Whomever he wished, he "Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put whomever he wished, he put down. down.

94


"But when his heart was lifted "But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. his glory from him.

95

Daniel 5:21aDaniel 5:21a

"Then he was driven from the "Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. was with the wild donkeys.

96

Daniel 5:21bDaniel 5:21b

"They fed him with grass like "They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew the dew of heaven, till he knew that that the Most High God rules in the Most High God rules in the kingdom of menthe kingdom of men, and , and appoints over it whomever He appoints over it whomever He chooses." chooses."

97



God has used civil governments God has used civil governments in the accomplishment of His in the accomplishment of His eternal purpose. eternal purpose.

He worked among them, He worked among them, indirectly ruling them through indirectly ruling them through their several kings. their several kings.

98



He used Israel to disseminate He used Israel to disseminate the knowledge of God and to the knowledge of God and to preserve the seed of Abraham preserve the seed of Abraham until the fullness of the times.until the fullness of the times.

99



He used other nations to punish He used other nations to punish Israel when they deserved to be Israel when they deserved to be punished, though He never punished, though He never violated the free will of any violated the free will of any ruler.ruler.

100



While men and nations are free While men and nations are free to choose their actions, they are to choose their actions, they are not free to choose the not free to choose the consequences of their actions. consequences of their actions.

101



God certainly God certainly cancan and and hashas brought about the defeat of brought about the defeat of kingdoms through miraculous kingdoms through miraculous intervention.intervention.

102



Such is not necessary, however, Such is not necessary, however, for the course of history has for the course of history has been changed time and time been changed time and time again by seemingly insignificant again by seemingly insignificant events. events.

103



The following nursery rhyme The following nursery rhyme illustrates this point.illustrates this point.

For want of a nailFor want of a nail

the shoe was lost.the shoe was lost.

104




For want of a shoeFor want of a shoe

the horse was lost.the horse was lost.

105




For want of a horseFor want of a horse

the rider was lost.the rider was lost.

106




For want of a riderFor want of a rider

the battle was lost.the battle was lost.

107




For want of a battleFor want of a battle

the kingdom was lost.the kingdom was lost.

108




And all for the wantAnd all for the want

of a horseshoe nail.of a horseshoe nail.

109



Solomon sinned against God by Solomon sinned against God by both practicing and encouraging both practicing and encouraging idolatry.idolatry.

110

1 Kings 11:111 Kings 11:11

Therefore the Lord said to Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, "Because you have Solomon, "Because you have done this, and have not kept My done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to away from you and give it to your servant. your servant.

111

1 Kings 11:121 Kings 11:12

"Nevertheless I will not do it in "Nevertheless I will not do it in your days, for the sake of your your days, for the sake of your father David; I will tear it out of father David; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. the hand of your son.

112

1 Kings 11:131 Kings 11:13

"However I will not tear away "However I will not tear away the whole kingdom; I will give the whole kingdom; I will give one tribe to your son for the one tribe to your son for the sake of my servant David, and sake of my servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem which I for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen."have chosen."

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But how did God tear the But how did God tear the kingdom away from Solomon? kingdom away from Solomon?

He did it through the free-will He did it through the free-will decision of Rehoboam to raise decision of Rehoboam to raise taxes and the free-will decision of taxes and the free-will decision of the northern tribes to rebel. the northern tribes to rebel.

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1 Kings 12:11 Kings 12:1

And Rehoboam went to And Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone Shechem, for all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king. to Shechem to make him king.

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So it happened, when Jeroboam So it happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard it (he the son of Nebat heard it (he was still in Egypt, for he had was still in Egypt, for he had fled from the presence of King fled from the presence of King Solomon and had been dwelling Solomon and had been dwelling in Egypt), in Egypt),

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that they sent and called him. that they sent and called him. Then Jeroboam and the whole Then Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israel came and assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, spoke to Rehoboam, saying,

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"Your father made our yoke "Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will which he put on us, and we will serve you."serve you."

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So he said to them, "Depart for So he said to them, "Depart for three days, then come back to three days, then come back to me." And the people departed. me." And the people departed.

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Then King Rehoboam consulted Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still father Solomon while he still lived, and he said, "How do you lived, and he said, "How do you advise me to answer these advise me to answer these people?"people?"

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And they spoke to him, saying, And they spoke to him, saying, "If you will be a servant to these "If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they good words to them, then they will be your servants forever."will be your servants forever."

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But he rejected the advice which But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who had grown up with him, who stood before him. stood before him.

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And he said to them, "What And he said to them, "What advice do you give? How should advice do you give? How should we answer this people who have we answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, 'Lighten spoken to me, saying, 'Lighten the yoke which your father put the yoke which your father put on us'?"on us'?"

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1 Kings 12:101 Kings 12:10

Then the young men who had Then the young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, grown up with him spoke to him, saying, "Thus you should speak saying, "Thus you should speak to this people who have spoken to this people who have spoken to you, saying, to you, saying,

124

1 Kings 12:101 Kings 12:10

'Your father made our yoke 'Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter heavy, but you make it lighter on us'--thus you shall say to on us'--thus you shall say to them: 'My little finger shall be them: 'My little finger shall be thicker than my father's waist! thicker than my father's waist!

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1 Kings 12:111 Kings 12:11

'And now, whereas my father 'And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with will chastise you with scourges!'" scourges!'"

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1 Kings 12:12-131 Kings 12:12-13

So Jeroboam and all the people So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had directed, day, as the king had directed, saying, "Come back to me the saying, "Come back to me the third day." Then the king third day." Then the king answered the people roughly, answered the people roughly, and rejected the advice which and rejected the advice which the elders had given him; the elders had given him;

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1 Kings 12:141 Kings 12:14

and he spoke to them according and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, to the advice of the young men, saying, "My father made your saying, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father chastised your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!"chastise you with scourges!"

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1 Kings 12:151 Kings 12:15

So the king did not listen to the So the king did not listen to the people; for the turn of events people; for the turn of events was from the Lord, that He was from the Lord, that He might fulfill His word, which the might fulfill His word, which the Lord had spoken by Ahijah the Lord had spoken by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. Nebat.

129

1 Kings 12:161 Kings 12:16

Now when all Israel saw that the Now when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, people answered the king, saying:saying:

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1 Kings 12:161 Kings 12:16

"What share have we in David? "What share have we in David? We have no inheritance in the We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Now, see to your own Israel! Now, see to your own house, O David!" So Israel house, O David!" So Israel departed to their tents. departed to their tents.

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1 Kings 12:171 Kings 12:17

But Rehoboam reigned over the But Rehoboam reigned over the children of Israel who dwelt in children of Israel who dwelt in the cities of Judah. the cities of Judah.

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No doubt God could have done No doubt God could have done this by a direct operation but He this by a direct operation but He did it indirectly – not by miracle did it indirectly – not by miracle but by providence.but by providence.

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"the Most High God rules in the "the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses." over it whomever He chooses."

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However, there has only been However, there has only been one theocracy, only one nation one theocracy, only one nation ruled by God through a ruled by God through a systematic law – ancient Israel. systematic law – ancient Israel.

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THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD. 2 "The foresight and forethought of the infinite God who planned the creation of man and a world in which to place him.

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