Forethought, in a biblical context, refers to the practice of planning and considering future events with wisdom and prudence. This concept is deeply rooted in Scripture, where believers are encouraged to exercise discernment and prepare for what lies ahead, both in practical and spiritual matters.

Biblical Basis

The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that highlight the importance of forethought. In the Old Testament, the account of Joseph is a prime example. Joseph, through divine revelation, interprets Pharaoh's dreams and advises him to store grain during the seven years of plenty to prepare for the seven years of famine (Genesis 41:33-36). This act of forethought not only saves Egypt but also surrounding nations from starvation.

Proverbs, a book rich in wisdom literature, frequently emphasizes the value of planning and foresight. Proverbs 6:6-8 states, "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." This passage encourages believers to learn from the ant's diligence and foresight in preparing for the future.

In the New Testament, Jesus teaches about the importance of counting the cost before undertaking any significant endeavor. In Luke 14:28-30 , He says, "Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’" This teaching underscores the necessity of forethought in discipleship and life decisions.

Spiritual Forethought

Forethought is not limited to material or temporal concerns but extends to spiritual preparedness. The parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 illustrates the importance of being spiritually prepared for the return of Christ. The wise virgins, who brought extra oil for their lamps, are contrasted with the foolish ones who did not. This parable serves as a warning to always be ready for the Lord's coming, emphasizing spiritual vigilance and forethought.

Practical Application

In practical terms, forethought involves prudent financial planning, wise stewardship of resources, and careful consideration of one's actions and their potential consequences. Believers are encouraged to seek God's guidance in their planning, as seen in James 4:13-15 : "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.' You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.'"

Forethought and Trust in God

While forethought is commended, it must be balanced with trust in God's sovereignty. Proverbs 16:9 reminds believers, "A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." This verse highlights the interplay between human planning and divine providence, encouraging believers to plan wisely while ultimately trusting in God's perfect will.

In summary, forethought is a biblically endorsed practice that involves careful planning and preparation for the future, both materially and spiritually. It is a demonstration of wisdom and prudence, reflecting a heart that seeks to honor God in all aspects of life.1. (n.) Planning beforehand; prescience; premeditation; forecast; provident care.

2. (a.) Thought of, or planned, beforehand; aforethought; prepense; hence, deliberate.

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

4268. prognosis -- foreknowledge
... foreknowledge. From proginosko; forethought -- foreknowledge. see GREEK proginosko.
(prognosei) -- 1 Occurrence. (prognosin) -- 1 Occurrence. 4267, 4268. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4268.htm - 7k

That Every Divine Illumination, Whilst Going Forth Lovingly to the ...
... CAPUT I. That every divine illumination, whilst going forth lovingly to the objects
of its forethought under various forms, remains simplex. Nor is this all. ...
/.../dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput i that every divine.htm

Concerning Holy of Holies, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, God of ...
... over all, and with perfect goodness both circumscribing and grasping all, and filling
with Itself, and surpassing all things which enjoy Its forethought. ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput xii concerning holy of.htm

Association
... Many beasts have forethought enough; the very sleepmouse hoards up acorns
against the winter; a fox will hide the game he cannot eat. ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xx association.htm

Whether Memory is Also of Things Present.
... For there are some, and among them Cicero, who, in treating of the virtues, have
divided prudence into these three"memory, understanding, forethought: to wit ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 11 whether memory is also.htm

Whether Fortitude Deals Chiefly with Sudden Occurrences?
... likely to happen; he takes measures beforehand, and looks out as from the
conning-tower of his mind, so as to encounter the future by his forethought, lest ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether fortitude deals chiefly with.htm

It is with no Loss or Disparagement Therefore of his Divine Nature ...
... They who have handed down the Creed to us have with much forethought specified the
time when these things were done""under Pontius Pilate,""lest in any ...
/.../17 it is with no.htm

How those are to be Admonished who Sin from Sudden Impulse and ...
... of circumspection, it is laid open to wounds; since the crafty enemy strikes the
breast the more freely as he catches it bare of the breastplate of forethought ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxxii how those are.htm

To My Fellow Presbyter, Timothy, Dionysius the Presbyter.
... For It is not only cause of sustenance, or life, or perfection,"so that from this
or that forethought alone the Goodness above Name should be named, but It ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput i to my fellow.htm

A Man of Opportunity
... Having secured the help he sought, Nehemiah with prudence and forethought proceeded
to make the arrangements necessary to ensure the success of the enterprise. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 52 a man of.htm

Caput xv.
... The heart again is a symbol of the Godlike life, dispersing its own life-giving
power to the objects of its forethought, as beseems the good. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput xv.htm

Forethought (3 Occurrences)
...Forethought (3 Occurrences). ... Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do
not take forethought for the flesh to fulfil its lusts. (DBY YLT). ...
/f/forethought.htm - 7k

Providence (3 Occurrences)
... The word "provide" (from Latin providere) means etymologically "to foresee." The
corresponding Greek word, pronoia, means "forethought." Forethought and ...
/p/providence.htm - 44k

Foresight (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Wise planning for the future; prescience; foreknowledge. 2. (n.) Action
in reference to the future; provident care; prudence; wise forethought. ...
/f/foresight.htm - 7k

Prudent (40 Occurrences)
... wise; judicious; careful; discreet; sensible; -- opposed to rash; as, a prudent
man; dictated or directed by prudence or wise forethought; evincing prudence; as ...
/p/prudent.htm - 20k

Foretold (18 Occurrences)

/f/foretold.htm - 13k

Lot (145 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) That which happens without human design
or forethought; chance; accident; hazard; fortune; fate. ...
/l/lot.htm - 60k

Lookout (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A person engaged in watching. 4. (n.) Object or duty of forethought and
care; responsibility. Multi-Version Concordance Lookout (4 Occurrences). ...
/l/lookout.htm - 7k

Foretells (1 Occurrence)

/f/foretells.htm - 6k

Tertul'lus (2 Occurrences)
... called, Tertullus began to accuse 'him', saying, 'Much peace enjoying through thee,
and worthy deeds being done to this nation through thy forethought, (See RSV ...
/t/tertul'lus.htm - 7k

Executed (39 Occurrences)
... Tertullus began to accuse, saying, Seeing we enjoy great peace through thee, and
that excellent measures are executed for this nation by thy forethought, (DBY). ...
/e/executed.htm - 18k

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