Free Will and Divine Knowledge

“Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Genesis 18:18-20

There was never any doubt that Abraham would obey GOD to bring about the fulfillment of the promises GOD had made. However, Abraham was not forced in any of those choices. GOD knew he would make some poor choices along the way as well, but He also knew, that he would make the right choice when the time came. In Genesis 12 GOD told Abraham to go and he went. In Genesis 17:12 GOD commanded him to circumcise every male child on the 8^th day, and he did. In Genesis 22 GOD commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, the child of promise. Abraham did everything that GOD ask of him being stopped just as he was about to sacrifice his own son. GOD said, “…now I know that thou fear God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.” (Genesis 22:12) 

Abraham could have chosen to withhold his only son from the LORD, but GOD knew that He would not.

The same is true with Judas. Judas was not forced to betray our LORD, however GOD knew He would, when the opportunity presented its self. Consequently, he was chosen to be one of the original 12.

The betrayal of Judas is spoken of specifically regarding the 30 pieces of silver in Zechariah 11:12-13. In Matthew 26:15 Judas asks, “What are you willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you?”  And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.”

In Matthew 26:20-21 “Jesus sat down with the twelve and as He ate, He said, verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray Me.”

He knew who that one would be, but Judas was not forced to do it.

The same could be said about Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar. GOD knew what choices these men would make. That is why He said, “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart…” GOD knew how Pharoah would respond when presented with the different situations.

He knew that Nebuchadnezzar would fail to give Him glory (Daniel 4:30-31) after being warned by Daniel (Daniel 4:27), but it was still Nebuchadnezzar’s choice.

Just because GOD knows the choices we will make ahead of time, does not take away our ability to choose.