Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "foresee" in the Bible often relates to God's omniscience and His ability to know and declare future events. This divine attribute is a testament to God's sovereignty and His control over the unfolding of history. The ability to foresee is not attributed to humans in the same way, as it is a characteristic of God's perfect knowledge and wisdom.
Divine ForeknowledgeGod's foreknowledge is a central theme in Scripture, emphasizing His eternal nature and His comprehensive understanding of all things. In
Isaiah 46:10, God declares, "I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’" This passage highlights God's ability to foresee and ordain the course of history according to His divine will.
Prophetic RevelationThroughout the Bible, God reveals future events to His prophets, who then communicate these revelations to His people. This prophetic foresight serves to guide, warn, and encourage the faithful. In
Amos 3:7, it is written, "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets." This underscores the role of prophecy as a means by which God shares His foreknowledge with humanity.
Human LimitationsWhile God possesses perfect foresight, human beings are limited in their understanding of the future.
James 4:14 reminds believers of this limitation: "You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." This verse calls for humility and reliance on God's wisdom rather than human speculation.
Faith and TrustThe biblical call to trust in God's foresight is a recurring theme. Believers are encouraged to place their confidence in God's plan, even when the future is uncertain.
Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage emphasizes the importance of faith in God's perfect foresight and guidance.
Eschatological ForeseeingIn the New Testament, the concept of foreseeing is also linked to eschatological events. Jesus, in His teachings, often spoke of future occurrences, including His return and the establishment of God's kingdom. In
Matthew 24:25, Jesus says, "See, I have told you in advance." This forewarning serves to prepare believers for the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.
ConclusionThe biblical understanding of "foresee" is deeply rooted in the nature of God as the all-knowing Creator. His ability to foresee is a source of comfort and assurance for believers, who are called to trust in His divine plan and wisdom. Through prophecy and revelation, God graciously shares glimpses of His foresight, guiding His people through the uncertainties of life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To see beforehand; to have prescience of; to foreknow; as to foresee difficulties; the foreseeable future.
2. (v. t.) To provide.
3. (v. i.) To have or exercise foresight.
Greek
4265. problepo -- toforesee... to
foresee. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: problepo Phonetic Spelling:
(prob-lep'-o) Short Definition: I provide,
foresee Definition: I provide,
foresee.
...4275. proeido -- toforesee
... toforesee. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proeido Phonetic Spelling:
(pro-i'-do) Short Definition: I see beforehand Definition: I see beforehand, am...
4275a. proeidon -- toforesee
... 4275, 4275a. proeidon. 4275b . toforesee. Transliteration: proeidon
Short Definition: foreseeing. Word Origin from pro and eidon...
4306. pronoeo -- toforesee
... toforesee. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: pronoeo Phonetic Spelling:
(pron-o-eh'-o) Short Definition: I provide for Definition: I take thought for...
4308. proorao -- to see before
... to see before. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proorao Phonetic Spelling:
(pro-or-ah'-o) Short Definition: Iforesee Definition: I see beforehand,foresee...
4267. proginosko -- to know beforehand
... foreknow, know before. From pro and ginosko; to know beforehand, ieForesee -- foreknow
(ordain), know (before). see GREEK pro. see GREEK ginosko....
Library
Whether Prophecy Can be Natural?
... For Gregory says (Dial. iv, 26) that "sometimes the mere strength of the soul is
sufficiently cunning toforesee certain things": and Augustine says (Gen....
Wesley -- God's Love to Fallen Man
... have done this a little more modestly, in an oblique and indirect manner: but others
have thrown aside the mask, and asked, "Did not Godforesee that Adam...
Concerning God's Purpose
... Some say that God didforesee that such persons would believe, and therefore did
choose them; so they would make the business of salvation to depend upon...
God's Love to Fallen Man
... have done this a little more modestly, in an oblique and indirect manner; but others
have thrown aside the mask, and asked, "Did not Godforesee that Adam...
Simon's Rage.
... and so you should be believed to be wise, because you had foreseen these things,
while I should seem to be deceived, because I did notforesee your trick....
The Difference Between the Knowledge of the Holy Angels and that...
... But the demons do not behold in the wisdom of God these eternal, and, as it were,
cardinal causes of things temporal, but onlyforesee a larger part of the...
Whether Caution Should be Reckoned a Part of Prudence?
... Objection 2: Further, toforesee good and to avoid evil belong to the same faculty,
just as the same art gives health and cures ill-health....
Under the Shepherd's Care.
... We can neverforesee the future; we never fully understand the present.
How dangerous would be our position were we left alone!...
Index.
... Avitus, Roman emperor, 13. Augustine, St., the great victory of the Church which
he did notforesee, 57.... Jerome, St., the result which he did notforesee, 57....
Circular Letter to the Clergy of the Arch-Deaconry of Suffolk.
... God's worship. (as Iforesee many will) how know they, but that they resort
to some other assembly now by law tolerated? I desire...
Thesaurus
Foresee (1 Occurrence)... 1. (vt) To see beforehand; to have prescience of; to foreknow; as to
foresee difficulties; the foreseeable future. 2. (vt) To provide.
...Foresee (1 Occurrence).
...Anticipate (5 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) Toforesee (a wish, command, etc.) and do beforehand that which
will be desired. 4. (vt) To foretaste orforesee; to have...
Greece (15 Occurrences)
... For the Greeks revelation was a knowledge of the divine will in special circumstances,
and inspiration was evinced by the power toforesee the divine purpose...
Ancient (64 Occurrences)
... For the Greeks revelation was a knowledge of the divine will in special circumstances,
and inspiration was evinced by the power toforesee the divine purpose...
Forecast (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To predict; to project. 2. (vt) Toforesee; to calculate beforehand,
so as to provide for. 3. (vi) To contrive or plan beforehand....
Foresaw (3 Occurrences)
Foreseeing (2 Occurrences)
Divine (39 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) A minister of the gospel; a priest; a clergyman. 10. (vt) Toforesee
or foreknow; to detect; to anticipate; to conjecture. 11....
Prophecy (37 Occurrences)
... as a "miracle of knowledge, a declaration or description or representation of something
future, beyond the power of human sagacity toforesee, discern, or...
Provide (74 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To establish as a previous condition; to stipulate; as, the contract
provides that the work be well done. 5. (vt) Toforesee....
Resources
What does the Bible say about divination? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is fatalism? What is determinism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is ethical relativism? | GotQuestions.orgForesee: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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