Most of those, who have a basic knowledge of what the Bible teaches about the character and attributes of the ONE True and Living GOD, would believe the very rudimentary truth, that GOD “knows” all things. In fact, this “knowledge” is often used to explain the basic premise taught in the scriptures concerning GOD’s predestination of all things and HIS election of a people from the foundation of the world. It is a quite common argument used by those who object to the notion that GOD would choose a people unto salvation completely apart from the activity of their “free will” to choose HIM.
In their attempt to make an “unpalatable” doctrine, acceptable to the natural thinking of men, some tell us that GOD chose HIS people based upon HIS “foreknowledge”, which they would simply define as meaning “knowing beforehand, what they would do.” We have no doubt that HE does “know” all things “beforehand”, which includes knowing what men will do, but a contextual look at what the scripture would teach us concerning this word “foreknowledge”, reveals to us that HE “knows” all things because HE determines all things to come to pass according to HIS sovereign good pleasure. Not merely that HE knows all things in an “intellectual” manner but rather that HE is intimately acquainted with those whom the scripture says, HE chose in CHRIST from the foundation of the world. “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” (Eph 1:4-5) “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.” (2Tim 2:19)
We notice that the scripture says that HE knows them that are HIS, not simply that HE knows what they will do. HE has an intimate acquaintance and affection for those whom HE has chosen in CHRIST long before they ever even drew breath or had any thoughts towards HIM. “For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.” (Rom 9:11) The basis of HIS choice of Jacob and not Esau (which HE uses to illustrate HIS love for HIS elect which HE chose in CHRIST) was HIS abiding love for Jacob quite in contrast to that hatred which HE expressed towards Esau. This doctrine is quite hated by religious men who entertain the notion that they can in some measure approach unto GOD in their own power and will, believing that HE waits upon their actions to decide HIS own.
The glorious TRUTH which we see recorded for us, from the beginning of the Scriptures until the end, is that the LORD is manifesting HIS glory in the redemption and deliverance of HIS elect Bride in the Earth. This Bride was HIS before HE created the world and HIS thoughts were “toward” her at all times in the unfolding of HIS purpose in that redemption and deliverance. HE has from the beginning determined to watch over and keep her, to bless her, and to rescue her from the bondage which she willingly sold herself into. Thus, we read, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
So, as we consider the LORD’s “knowledge” or “foreknowledge”, we cannot do so without a due consideration of HIS abiding love for that people which were hidden in CHRIST and chosen in HIM from the beginning. This is a sublime consideration for the limited “knowledge” of men to contemplate but is nonetheless true and must not be neglected or explained away. “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?” (2Cor 2:14-16)
We can know nothing of the “thoughts” of GOD, except that which HE is pleased to reveal to us. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa 55:8-9) The Hebrew word which is translated as “thoughts” literally means, “a contrivance, a plan, or a curious and cunning work.” We often daydream or have empty “thoughts” which we will forget as soon as they come to us. It is not so with HIM who is the CREATOR of all things. “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.” (Acts 15:18) Whatever HE determines to be done shall certainly come to pass, for all things emanate from HIS thoughts and not our own. “Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” (Isa 46:11)
The unfolding of HIS purpose in the Earth is revealed in the Gospel of the glory of CHRIST in purchasing redemption for HIS bride, whom HE has loved with an everlasting love. Even though she has rebelled against HIM, conspired to destroy HIM, and been unthankful for HIS many overtures of love. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” (Rom 5:6-11)
We can surely say that HE has “saved” HIS Bride in spite of her actions rather than because of them. It is for this reason that we are made to fall upon our faces and worship HIM in thankful praise that our salvation is of the LORD. “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2Tim 1:9-10) “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” (Psa 100:2-3)
The LORD said HE “knows HIS thoughts”. This literally means that HE controls HIS thoughts, they do not randomly enter HIS mind, but rather HE determines HIS thoughts. Men can in no wise lay claim to this ability. Men can only have thoughts upon those things which are given to them. A man cannot think of what he cannot think of. “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” (Jer 10:23) “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.” (Prov 16:1) “Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?” (Prov 20:24) Men are unable to think of anything which is not bound in their corrupt nature apart from the mercy of GOD to deliver them from it. “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Gen 6:5)
The LORD said that HE does “think toward” HIS people. HE constantly watches over them, caring for them as the GOOD SHEPHERD tends HIS sheep. “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” (Isa 40:11) “As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.” (Eze 34:12)
The LORD said that HE would give HIS sheep “an expected end”. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28) Have you heard HIM?
mam