God Forsees The Future

So far, we have seen that while God allows for free will and independent human rulership, he has both the power and the will to act to accomplish his purpose. Yet, there is another factor that contributes to the certain fulfillment of God's promises. Jehovah can foresee the future. (Isaiah 42:9) Through his prophet, God said: " Remember the first things of a long time ago, that I am the Divine One and there is no other God, nor anyone else like me; the One telling from the beginning the finale, and from long ago the things that have not been done; the One saying, 'My own counsel will stand, and everything that is my delight I shall do.' " (Isaiah 46:9, 10) An experienced farmer knows when and where to plant seed, but there still might be some uncertainty about how things will develop. However, "the King of eternity" has accurate knowledge to foresee precisely when and where he should act to carry out his purpose. -1 Timothy 1:17.

Consider how God exercised foreknowledge in the days of Noah. Because of the widespread badness that had filled the earth, God determined to bring an end to disobedient humankind. He set a time when he would do this, 120 years into the future. (Genesis 6:3) In setting that specific period, Jehovah took into consideration more than the destruction of the wicked, something that he could do at any time. Jehovah's timetable also provided for the preservation of the righteous. (Compare Genesis 5:29) In his wisdom, God foreknew when to assign the work that he would lead to that end. He gave sufficiently detailed information to Noah. Noah was to build an ark "for the saving of his household," and the wicked were to be destroyed by a global deluge. - Hebrews 11:7; Genesis 6:13, 14, 18, 19.

Next time: A Colossal Building Project

Watchtower, 1999