Topical Bible: The Providence of God is Exercised in Ruling the Elements

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The providence of God, a central theme in Christian theology, refers to God's continuous involvement with all created things, guiding them toward His ultimate purpose. One significant aspect of this providence is His sovereign rule over the elements of nature. Scripture provides numerous instances where God's control over the natural world is evident, demonstrating His power and authority.

Creation and Sustenance

From the very beginning, the Bible affirms God's authority over the elements. In Genesis 1, God speaks the world into existence, commanding the waters, the land, and the skies to take form. This creative act establishes His dominion over all creation. Colossians 1:16-17 further emphasizes this, stating, "For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

Control Over Weather

Throughout Scripture, God demonstrates His control over weather patterns. In the account of Noah, God commands the rain to flood the earth (Genesis 7:4). Later, in 1 Kings 17:1, Elijah declares, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years, except at my word," indicating God's control over rain through His prophet.

The Psalms frequently celebrate God's sovereignty over the elements. Psalm 135:6-7 proclaims, "The LORD does whatever pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth, He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses."

Miracles of Jesus

The New Testament continues to affirm God's providence over nature through the miracles of Jesus Christ. In Mark 4:39 , Jesus calms a storm with a command: "He got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. 'Silence!' He said. 'Be still!' And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm." This miracle not only demonstrates Christ's divine authority but also reassures believers of God's control over chaotic elements.

Judgment and Deliverance

God's rule over the elements is also evident in acts of judgment and deliverance. In Exodus, God uses natural phenomena to execute judgment on Egypt, such as the plagues of hail and darkness (Exodus 9:23-24, 10:21-23). Conversely, God parts the Red Sea to deliver the Israelites from Pharaoh's army (Exodus 14:21-22), showcasing His power to manipulate nature for the salvation of His people.

Prophetic Fulfillment

The prophets often speak of God's control over the elements as a sign of His coming judgment or blessing. Joel 2:30-31 declares, "I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD." These signs in the heavens and earth serve as reminders of God's ultimate authority over creation.

Conclusion

The providence of God in ruling the elements is a testament to His omnipotence and sovereignty. Through creation, weather control, miracles, acts of judgment, and prophetic fulfillment, Scripture consistently affirms that God governs the natural world according to His divine will and purpose.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 37:9-13
Out of the south comes the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 50:2
Why, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinks, because there is no water, and dies for thirst.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 1:4,15
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
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Nahum 1:4
He rebukes the sea, and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers: Bashan languishes, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languishes.
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Library

Gnostic Exposition of the Decalogue.
... of seven and eight, praising thus: "Our years were exercised like a ... by the exertion
of the artisan; so also, by the universal providence of God, through the ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xvi gnostic exposition of the.htm

When a Revival is to be Expected.
... The indications of God's providence are sometimes so plain as to amount to a ... Her
soul was exercised about sinners ... Would you dare to say so to God, if you should ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture ii when a revival.htm

On Infants' Early Deaths.
... with a wife whom he loves, and ruling his household ... had the "senses" of their minds
"exercised," will, if ... a sign of the perfection of God's providence, that He ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on infants early deaths.htm

Translated from the Greek.
... instance, partly owing to their habits not being thoroughly exercised"partly, too ...
the object of the Spirit, which by the providence of God, through the ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from the greek.htm

'Thy Kingdom Come'
... whole of the dominion which can be exercised over man. ... which the thought of an
overruling Providence demands that we shall believe that God exercises over ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/thy kingdom come.htm

Ninth Tractate. Against those that Affirm the Creator of the ...
... how different is the governance exercised by the ... moves, by ways to be studied elsewhere,
towards God. Epicurus denies a Providence and recommends pleasure and ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/ninth tractate against those that.htm

The Tabernacle of the Most High
... opinions, to the general state of the kingdom, has been recognized by the ruling
powers, while ... In the strange and inscrutable providence of God he was ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the tabernacle of the most.htm

Calvin's Work.
... infralapsarianism and supralapsarianism: 'Adam fell, God' providence having so ... the
same end"the glory of God and the ... and this right was exercised, with more ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 57 calvins work.htm

Excerpts of Theodotus;
... Lord, the first-created angels exercised their influence ... shall no longer, according
to providence, exercise a ... devoted to the contemplation of God alone; while ...
/.../theodotus/excerpts of theodotus/excerpts of theodotus.htm

Greek Plagiarism from the Hebrews.
... and also the oversight reaching to us exercised by the ... starting from the Barbarian
philosophy, attribute providence [3175] to ... by us, and not even how God is to ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xiv greek plagiarism from the.htm