As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to keep many people alive. Genesis 50:20 NASB
Here we have a very important verse in understanding the interplay between human autonomous thought, and divine providence.
The brothers of Joseph devised a plan that was NOT in accordance with how God has instructed us to treat one another. Recall, do unto others as you would have them do unto you?
But on the other hand, God sometimes uses our bad choices to accomplish His purposes. Recall Jonah's misadventure provided an illustration of God's providence, the big fish, and even pictured God's providence when Jesus was crucified.
God certainly can set up a circumstance where the wrongful actions of humans will accomplish His purpose, without using supernatural compulsion. God put the tree of knowledge in the garden, then allowed Satan to tempt Eve. God did not directly cause Eve to either eat herself nor offer the fruit to Adam, but God arranged the circumstances resulting in accomplishing His purpose, for God had chosen His Lamb before Adam and Eve had been created.
Therefore it is sound to believe God created us with our ability to choose life or death, and therefore can punish those that remain unsaved for their unsound, ungodly choices.
Here we have a very important verse in understanding the interplay between human autonomous thought, and divine providence.
The brothers of Joseph devised a plan that was NOT in accordance with how God has instructed us to treat one another. Recall, do unto others as you would have them do unto you?
But on the other hand, God sometimes uses our bad choices to accomplish His purposes. Recall Jonah's misadventure provided an illustration of God's providence, the big fish, and even pictured God's providence when Jesus was crucified.
God certainly can set up a circumstance where the wrongful actions of humans will accomplish His purpose, without using supernatural compulsion. God put the tree of knowledge in the garden, then allowed Satan to tempt Eve. God did not directly cause Eve to either eat herself nor offer the fruit to Adam, but God arranged the circumstances resulting in accomplishing His purpose, for God had chosen His Lamb before Adam and Eve had been created.
Therefore it is sound to believe God created us with our ability to choose life or death, and therefore can punish those that remain unsaved for their unsound, ungodly choices.