[Greek] προγινώσκω (proginōskō), [Latin] providere: to know beforehand, to foreknow, to know before, to foreordain; Acts 26:5, Rom.8:9, Rom.11:2, 1Pet.1:20, 2Pet.3:17
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term can refer to knowing beforehand (human foresight and cleverness) and to the gods’ having concealed foreknowledge from man. Hippocrates’ Book of Prognostics states “It appears to me a most excellent thing for the physician to cultivate prognosis; for by foreseeing and foretelling in the presence of the sick the present, past, and future, so that men will have confidence to entrust themselves to a physician.” Euripides’ Hippolytus 1072 states “Groans and forethought would have been in place when you had the hardihood to commit outrage against your father’s wife.” Homeric Hymm 2 to Demeter 256 states “Witless are you mortals and dull to forsee your lot, whether of good or evil, that comes upon you. For now in your heedlessness you have wrought folly past healing; for be witness to the oath of the gods.”
Old Testament: This term refers to God’s foreknowledge of His people and the Israelites’ knowing beforehand of God’s promises. As a means to make it relatable, Wisdom is personified as female. Divine wisdom was granted to kings, scribes, and heads of families. Finding wisdom was likened to finding a wife. The Hebrew word for wisdom, chokmoth, is generally a feminine noun. Perhaps this was indirectly influenced by the Hellenistic idea that Sophia was the Greek goddess of wisdom. The Jewish Hellenistic philosopher Philo states that wisdom can come through dreams. The mind can come under the influence of divine impulses.
She knows the things of old, and infers those yet to come, She understand the turns of phrases and the solutions of riddles; signs and wonders she knows in advance and the outcomes of times and ages (Wis.8:8). She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of men’s desires (Wis.6:13). That night was known beforehand to our fathers, that, with sure knowledge of the oaths in which they put their faith, they might have courage (Wis.18:6). Joseph said to his brothers: ‘I am about to die. God will surely take care of you and lead you up from this land to the land that He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen.50:24).
New Testament: This term refers to God’s foreknowing of His people and one having knowledge beforehand. God foreknows and confirms His people by creating them in His image. Christ, already known before the foundation of the world, reveals Himself later for us. Paul, before King Agrippa, claims that everyone has known about him from the start as a zealous Pharisee. Peter warns the Christians in Asia Minor (Turkey) to be forewarned (and on guard) against being lead into error and from falling from stability.
Scripture:
“For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He might be firstborn among many brothers.” Rom.8:29
God foreknew and confirms His people. God creates them in His image.
“They have known about me from the start, if they are willing to testify, that I have lived my life as a Pharisee, the strictest party of our religion.”
The people already know that Paul was a zealous Pharisee.
“Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on guard not to be lead into error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability.” 2Pet.3:17
Peter was warning the people to be forewarned and be on guard against error and confusion. Peter warns them to remain strong in their faith.
Corrie ten Boom: She was a Dutch watchmaker. She and other family members helped many Jews escape from the Nazi Holocaust during World War II by hiding them in her home. They were eventually caught and arrested and sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp. Her most famous book, The Hiding Place, is a biography that recounts the story of her family’s efforts and how Corrie ten Boom found hope while imprisoned in the concentration camp.
Other Quotes from Corrie ten Boom:
“This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.”
“In darkness God’s truth shines most clear.”
“If God has shown us bad times ahead, it’s enough for me that He knows about them. That’s why He sometimes shows us things – to tell us that this too is in His hands.”
“And our wise Father in heaven knows when we’re going to need things too. Don’t run out ahead of Him.”
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
“Don’t bother to give God instructions; just report for duty.”
“Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.”
“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God you’ll be at rest.”
Conclusion:
Prognosis, prognostication, providence
In the Greek Hellenistic era, Hippocrates makes an important contribution in the prognosis of diseases. It is also important to note that man’s relationships with the gods were fickle. The gods were perceived as fleeting, vengeful, or aloof.
In the Old Testament era, God’s foreknowledge about His people comes forth in His wisdom and faithfulness. Prior to his death, Joseph states that God will fulfill His promises to lead His people out of Egypt into the Promised Land. Wisdom becomes an aspect of God. Philo states one can receive divine instruction in dreams.
In the New Testament era, it is interesting to note that both Joseph and the magi receive God’s wisdom in their dreams to allow for the safe travel for the Holy Family. Sometimes it can be difficult to ponder the idea that Christ was pre-existent (as one of the three persons of God) before the foundation of the world. It was later that He would take on human form. Peter provides timeless advice for Christians to be on guard against being led astray or falling into error. I suppose the same can be said now in recent times about confusion about Church teachings and secular influences.
I am reminded of that famous question from the old Baltimore Catechism (Why did God make you?) God made you to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him. God foreknows us and He already knows of His will for us. Yet also God allows us to have the freedom to make our own choices. It is ultimately up to each of us to figure this out.
Corrie ten Bloom, part of the Dutch Resistance against the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, imparts profound and simple nuggets of wisdom about God. These quotes are simple and also mind-blowing about God’s Providence. #MindBlownDutchSayings
Somehow I already knew that you would be blown away by Corrie ten Boom’s quotes! ☺☺☺
Update: 8/15/2019 (Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary): Scripture (Gen.3:15) foreordains that the woman will be Mary. Mary provides us with an example of what it means in accepting God’s will. Mary’s eternal reward results in her being assumed body and soul into heaven.