Fetchin' a Bride: A Study in Romantic Providence

The obvious focus in our passage is romantic love, a young couple about to meet and start a family. But there's another theme and THAT second emphasis is a philosophical issue that triggers a host of
implications and ancillary questions about destiny and free-will, decision-making, prayer and possibilities. This second focus – which seems sooo very different from a love-story (one is the domain of emotion and the other is a matter of philosophy and logic – one is of the heart and the other of the head). AND the second has to do with a word Christians have always used sometimes almost as a synonym for God. Those who are not-yet believers call it "the universe" or "fate". Christians prefer the word "providence", God's preserving/governing ALL circumstances. In other words – it's a story of emotion and philosophy, a love story and evidence that all things are predetermined.
Let's look at:

1. The Servant's Quest
2. Providence, Prayer and Promise