Definition and Scope
Divine foreknowledge refers to God's omniscient awareness of all events, past, present, and future. It encompasses God's ability to know everything that will happen, including the free actions of human beings. This attribute of God is foundational to understanding His sovereignty, providence, and the unfolding of His divine plan.

Biblical Basis
The concept of divine foreknowledge is deeply rooted in Scripture. Numerous passages affirm that God possesses complete knowledge of all things. In Isaiah 46:9-10 , God declares, "I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’" This passage highlights God's unique ability to declare future events with certainty.

Psalm 139:1-4 further illustrates God's intimate knowledge of individuals: "O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD." This passage emphasizes God's comprehensive knowledge of human actions and thoughts.

Theological Implications
Divine foreknowledge is closely linked to God's omniscience and omnipotence. It assures believers of God's control over history and His ability to bring about His purposes. Romans 8:29-30 speaks to this, stating, "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified." This passage suggests that God's foreknowledge is not passive but active, involving His sovereign choice and purpose.

Human Free Will and Divine Foreknowledge
A significant theological discussion arises concerning the relationship between divine foreknowledge and human free will. While God knows all future events, including human decisions, this knowledge does not negate human responsibility or freedom. The Bible presents both divine sovereignty and human responsibility as compatible truths. In Acts 2:23 , Peter speaks of Jesus' crucifixion as being "delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge," yet carried out by the "wicked hands" of men, indicating that human actions, though foreknown by God, are freely chosen.

Practical Significance
For believers, divine foreknowledge provides comfort and assurance. It affirms that God is never surprised or thwarted by events in the world. His foreknowledge assures believers that their lives are under His sovereign care. As Jeremiah 29:11 states, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope." This promise underscores the personal and benevolent nature of God's foreknowledge in the lives of His people.

Conclusion
While divine foreknowledge is a profound and sometimes mysterious doctrine, it is a cornerstone of biblical theology that underscores God's sovereignty, wisdom, and love. It invites believers to trust in God's perfect plan and to live in the confidence that He knows and guides their future.