The Universality of God's Providence
S. Charnock, B. D. 2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth… I. IT IS OVER ALL CREATURES. 1. The highest. (1) Over Jesus Christ, the First-born of every creature (Acts 2:23). (2) Over angels and men. 2. The meanest. As the sun's light, so God's providence, disdains not the meanest worms. II. IT EXTENDS TO ALL THE ACTIONS AND MOTIONS OF THE CREATURE. 1. To natural actions. How do fish serve several coasts at several seasons? why do plants that grow between a barren and a fruitful soil shoot all their roots towards the moist and fruitful ground, but by a secret direction of providential wisdom? 2. To civil actions. Counsels of men are ordered by Him to other ends than what they aim at, and which their wisdom cannot discover. 3. To preternatural actions. God doth command creatures to do those things which are no way suitable to their inclinations (1 Kings 17:4; Jonah 2:10; Daniel 3:1). 4. To all supernatural and miraculous actions of the creatures. As when the sun went backward in Hezekiah's time, and when it stood still in the valley of Ajalon. 5. To all fortuitous actions. The whole disposing of the lot which is east into the lap is of the Lord (Proverbs 16:33). 6. To all voluntary actions. (S. Charnock, B. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. WEB: For the eyes of Yahweh run back and forth throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein you have done foolishly; for from henceforth you shall have wars."