Chapter 3: Old Testament Materials for a Relational View of Providence Involving Risk (Agreement with the Major Themes of Scripture)
3.1 The Introduction. The author opens the discussion by telling us that many theologians have developed a “risk-free” model of providence that demonstrates that they believe that God exercises meticulous providential control — his creatures are simply acted upon. The author also states that this view is usually supported by a number of Scriptures (Ps 47:7-8; Is 29:16; Jer 18:1-6; Rom 9:21; Mt 5:45 and Mt 10:29). However, in this section, the author moves to prove that the Old Testament provides us with much material to confirm that God is capable of and has been involved in a relationship with his creation that involves "give-and-take", insomuch that it is understood that He does take risk as it relates to the fulfillment of his goal for his divine providence.
3.2 The Creation and Its Divinely Established
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Contrary to what some theologians may say, the author maintains that God may be prevailed on. He cites Genesis 18:22-33 when Abraham prevailed on God in an attempt to alleviate the destruction of Sodom, along with Genesis 32 when Jacob wrestled all night until his request was granted. Here the author says this shows that because God wants us to have a genuine relationship with Him, He considers others as having something significant to say. This is usually done through prayer.
3.8 God Works with What Is Available. The author points to Exodus 1:15-22 to show how God used a few Hebrew women to save the Hebrew males from being killed according to the Pharaoh’s orders and as a result, God delivered one male who would eventually save his people. These things demonstrate that God did not battle directly with the Egyptian king, but through other people. This also shows that, in the process, God took a risk during his efforts to deliver his people since He did not know how things would turn out (Ex 3 –