The Providence of God
S. Charnock, B. D. 2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth… I. THE WISDOM OF GOD WOULD NOT BE SO PERSPICUOUS WERE THERE NOT A PROVIDENCE IN THE WORLD. A musician discovers more skill in the touching an instrument, and ordering the strings, to sound what note he pleaseth, than he doth in the first framing and making of it (Isaiah 28:29). All God's providences are but His touch of the strings of this great instrument of the world. II. THE MEANS WHEREBY GOD'S ACTS DISCOVER A PROVIDENCE. He acts — 1. By small means. (1) In His ordinary works. Great plants are formed from small seeds. (2) In His extraordinary works. (a) In the deliverance of a people or person. A dream was the occasion of Joseph's greatness. He used the cacklings of geese to save the Roman Capitol from a surprise by the Gauls. (b) In the salvation of the soul. Our Saviour Himself, though God, was so mean in the eyes of the world that He calls Himself "a worm, and no man" (Psalm 22:6). The world is saved by a crucified Christ. 2. By contrary means. God makes contrary things contribute to His glory, as contrary colours in a picture do to the beauty of the piece. In some engines you shall see wheels have contrary motions, and yet all in order to one and the same end. God cured those by a brazen serpent which were stung by the fiery ones, whereas brass (according to Grotius) is naturally hurtful to those that are bit by serpents. (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."