Questions From Readers Conclusion

 Consider two examples. The first example involves the inhabitants of Nineveh. Jehovah foretold that the city would be overthrown because of its wickedness. But when its inhabitants repented, Jehovah "reconsidered the calamity that he said he would bring on them, and he did not bring it." (Jonah 3:1-10) Jehovah changed his mind about what he had foretold because the Ninevites used their free will to respond with repentance to the warning message that Jehovah had sent them.

The second example is the prophecy about a conqueror named Cyrus who would release the Jew from captivity and order the rebuilding of Jehovah's temple. (Isaiah 44:26 -45:3) King Cyrus of Persia fulfilled that prophecy. (Ezra 1:1-4) However, Cyrus did not worship the true God. Jehovah used Cyrus to fulfill prophecy without interfering with Cyrus' free will to choose whom he would worship. - PROVERBS 21:1.

Of course, these are not all the factors that involved Jehovah's use of foreknowledge. Realistically, no human can fully understand Jehovah's ways.  (Isaiah 55:8, 9) Yet, what Jehovah has revealed strengthens our faith that he always does what is is right-including when he foretells the future.

Next time: Did You Know? - Why does the Bible repeat itself?

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