Life Bible Study Biblical Word Series by Rev. Zheng Biqing
“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8: 28
This verse reveals God’s foreknowledge regarding His elect. Does it refer to our deeds, response to the Gospel, or something else? Let’s examine the other two Bible verses that talk about divine foreknowledge.
“God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew” Romans 11: 2
“(Christ) He was chosen before the creation of the world” 1Peter 1:20
It is clear that all three verses specifically refer to God’s foreknowledge of His own rather than their actions.
Since God knows everything, surely He knows everyone. In that case, there must be a deeper meaning when the Bible says that God foreknows His own. Let us look deeper into the word ‘know’ in the Bible.
Amazingly, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, both the Old Testament and the New Testament writers used the word ‘know’ (yada in Hebrew and ginóskó in Greek) to describe the intimate relationship, the love and the union of life between a husband and a wife. For example,
“(Joseph) knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.” ESV Mat 1: 25
“Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” KJV Luke 1:25
“Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain” ESV Ge 4:1
“Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please” ESV Ge 19:8
By this meaning, God foreknows someone means God loves that man intimately. Think of a mother who is withchild. Although the baby hasn’t been born yet, she already loves him and sees him as a part of herself, for his life is in hers. Oh, is that not why God called Israel His son (Hos 11:1)? or why God held out his hands all day long and called out to them, “O return, Israel! I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jer 31:3 Is this not also why He takes us into His household as His adopted sons and daughters when we come to Christ?
Dear saints, God chose you before time and before anything was, not randomly, but sovereignly and with a full knowledge of who you are and what you will do. He inscribed your name with an iron pen on the Book of Life in heaven. You are not just a name to Him; He saw you before you were born (Ps 139:16). He loved you and prepared a life that is in union with Christ in eternity for you. God longs for you, His beloved, to see Him face to face (Ps 116:15).
So remember, you are very precious to God, and you will always be. Because your preciousness is not in what you do but in God’s sovereign foreknowledge of you and of course, for His eternal glory!
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