Foresight
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Foresight, in a biblical context, refers to the ability to anticipate future events or needs, often guided by wisdom and divine insight. It is a quality that is highly valued in Scripture, as it aligns with prudent living and wise decision-making. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that highlight the importance of foresight in the life of a believer.

Biblical Examples of Foresight

1. Joseph in Egypt: One of the most prominent examples of foresight in the Bible is the account of Joseph, who, through divine revelation, interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and foresaw seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. Joseph's foresight led him to advise Pharaoh to store surplus grain during the years of plenty, which ultimately saved Egypt and surrounding nations from starvation (Genesis 41:33-36). Joseph's ability to foresee and prepare for the future was a testament to his wisdom and reliance on God's guidance.

2. The Ant: In Proverbs, the ant is commended for its foresight and industrious nature. "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food at harvest" (Proverbs 6:6-8). The ant's preparation for the future serves as a model for human diligence and foresight.

3. The Wise and Foolish Builders: Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders illustrates the importance of foresight in spiritual matters. The wise builder, who constructs his house on the rock, anticipates future storms and ensures his foundation is secure, while the foolish builder, who builds on sand, fails to prepare for adversity (Matthew 7:24-27). This parable underscores the necessity of foresight in establishing a firm spiritual foundation.

Teachings on Foresight

1. Prudence and Planning: The Bible frequently associates foresight with prudence and careful planning. Proverbs 21:5 states, "The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty" . This verse emphasizes that foresight, coupled with diligent planning, leads to prosperity and success.

2. Seeking God's Guidance: True foresight is often linked to seeking divine wisdom and guidance. James 1:5 encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, promising that He gives generously to all without finding fault . This highlights the belief that foresight is not merely a human endeavor but is enhanced by divine insight.

3. Preparation for Christ's Return: The New Testament frequently exhorts believers to live with foresight concerning the return of Christ. Jesus warns His followers to be watchful and prepared, as the timing of His return is unknown (Matthew 24:42-44). This call to spiritual vigilance is a form of foresight that impacts how believers live their daily lives.

Foresight in Daily Life

Foresight is not only a spiritual principle but also a practical one. It involves making wise decisions, preparing for future needs, and considering the long-term consequences of actions. The Bible encourages believers to live with foresight, balancing trust in God's providence with responsible stewardship of resources and opportunities. Through prayer, study of Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, Christians are equipped to develop foresight that honors God and benefits themselves and others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) Wise planning for the future; prescience; foreknowledge.

2. (n.) Action in reference to the future; provident care; prudence; wise forethought.

3. (n.) Any sight or reading of the leveling staff, except the backsight; any sight or bearing taken by a compass or theodolite in a forward direction.

4. (n.) Muzzle sight. See Fore sight, under Fore, a.

Greek
4307. pronoia -- foresight, forethought
... foresight, forethought. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: pronoia
Phonetic Spelling: (pron'-oy-ah) Short Definition: forethought, foresight ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4307.htm - 6k
Library

Whether Foresight* Should be Accounted a Part of Prudence? ...
... OF EACH QUASI-INTEGRAL PART OF PRUDENCE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether foresight*
should be accounted a part of prudence? [*"Providentia ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether foresight should be accounted.htm

Anxious Care
... Therefore I say unto you. Take no thought for your life.'"Matthew 6:24-25.
Foresight and foreboding are two very different things. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/anxious care.htm

Whether Three Parts of Prudence are Fittingly Assigned?
... Tully (De Invent. Rhet. ii, 53) assigns three parts of prudence, namely, "memory,"
"understanding" and "foresight." Macrobius (In Somn. Scip. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether three parts of prudence.htm

God's Providence
... His purpose. The Latin etymology of the word Providence is from (Providentia,
Pro-videre), and originally meant foresight. The corresponding ...
/.../chapter vi gods providence.htm

But that we May not Seem, Because of a Hebrew Word...
... Is it with any foresight of the future or not? If with a foresight of the
future, then the prophets were divinely inspired; if with ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxv but that we.htm

Whether we Should be Solicitous About the Future?
... But prudence is chiefly about the future, since its principal part is "foresight
of future things," as stated above ([2829]Q[49], A[6], ad 1). Therefore it is ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether we should be solicitous.htm

Whether Circumspection Can be a Part of Prudence?
... Now foresight enables a man to look on distant things. Therefore there is no need
to account circumspection a part of prudence in addition to foresight. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether circumspection can be a.htm

Whether Caution Should be Reckoned a Part of Prudence?
... Now it belongs to foresight to foresee good, and consequently, also to avoid
evil. Therefore caution should not be accounted a part ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether caution should be reckoned.htm

'That which was Lost'
... An animal has no foresight, and is the happier because it cannot look before and
after. It has only a rudimentary conscience, if it has that. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/that which was lost.htm

That it is not Easy to Discover the Trinity that is God from the ...
... And yet it is not foresight, but memory, that enables us to foresee it; for up to
the very end of the words or the song, nothing is uttered except as foreseen ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 7 that it is not.htm

Thesaurus
Foresight (2 Occurrences)
... forward direction. 4. (n.) Muzzle sight. See Fore sight, under Fore, a.
Multi-Version Concordance Foresight (2 Occurrences). Acts 2 ...
/f/foresight.htm - 7k

Providence (3 Occurrences)
... Literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God's preserving and
governing all things by means of second causes (Psalm 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28 ...
/p/providence.htm - 44k

Weather (5 Occurrences)
... 25:20). Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their lack of spiritual foresight
when they took such interest in natural foresight. He ...
/w/weather.htm - 10k

Foreknow (1 Occurrence)
... It is a term used in theology to denote the prescience or foresight of God, that
is, His knowledge of the entire course of events which are future from the ...
/f/foreknow.htm - 36k

Foreknowledge (2 Occurrences)
... It is a term used in theology to denote the prescience or foresight of God, that
is, His knowledge of the entire course of events which are future from the ...
/f/foreknowledge.htm - 37k

Plagues (28 Occurrences)
... In every instance these predictions were exactly fulfilled. In some instances careful
foresight might seem to supply in part this ability to predict. ...
/p/plagues.htm - 44k

Foreskin (12 Occurrences)

/f/foreskin.htm - 14k

Unseen (18 Occurrences)
... Acts 2:31 with prophetic foresight he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, to
the effect that He was not left forsaken in the Unseen World, nor did His ...
/u/unseen.htm - 11k

Undergo (91 Occurrences)
... Acts 2:31 with prophetic foresight he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, to
the effect that He was not left forsaken in the Unseen World, nor did His ...
/u/undergo.htm - 34k

Foresee (1 Occurrence)
... foreseeable future. 2. (vt) To provide. 3. (vi) To have or exercise foresight.
Multi-Version Concordance Foresee (1 Occurrence). Isaiah ...
/f/foresee.htm - 7k

Resources
Is it biblically acceptable for a man to be a stay-at-home dad? | GotQuestions.org

How are predestination and election connected with foreknowledge? | GotQuestions.org

Monergism vs. synergism-which view is correct? | GotQuestions.org

Foresight: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Foresight (2 Occurrences)

Acts 2:31
with prophetic foresight he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, to the effect that He was not left forsaken in the Unseen World, nor did His body undergo decay.
(WEY)

Acts 24:2
and he having been called, Tertullus began to accuse 'him', saying, 'Much peace enjoying through thee, and worthy deeds being done to this nation through thy forethought,
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Foresight

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