I get so frustrated with ideas like this being propagated.
If God orchestrates everything (as opposed to making it happen, orchestrating allows for our free will to be part of the picture) then isn’t it just possible that God gives us the command at the moment it will start our response so that it ultimately goes the way it is supposed to – That because He knows who we are, He brings us into the process so that we’re where we need to be just in time?
I mean, Jonah was supposed to get where he got *when* he got there. So since God knew he was going to flee and go the other way, and need to be brought back, he told him when he did and provided that time.
This is how I work things with my children. If I know this child needs to be told right before we leave that it’s time to go, I give no warning. If I know this child needs a warning, I provide it. And, especially with special needs and/or certain ages, I tell them “it is time to do X” with enough time built in for them to melt down or run away or do what I know they are going to do. When we know our children, we can interact with them in the way they need. Isn’t God capable of doing that with us?
When this topic comes up I’m always reminded of Yeshua’s parable in Matthew 21
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
29 “ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
(quoted from blb.org using NIV but all the versions have the same parable 😉 )
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“If God orchestrates everything…”
Therein lies your problem. God does not orchestrate everything. God is sovereign indeed, but we are also agents of free will. Just as we can choose to accept or reject God’s grace so too we as believers can choose to obey or disobey God’s commands. It happens all the time. Just look around you and see how many people have rejected Christ. Furthermore, look at how many Christians are living in disobedience.
God is orchestrating – not dictating. I think you may be confusing foreknowledge and involvement with me suggesting He is making people do things. God knows each person intimately – according to the Job 10:11 He knows them the way a midwife knows someone just by palpating the womb. He knows what you will do in every situation you find yourself and He knows what situations you will find yourself – and my point (and Jesus’) remains – delayed obedience IS obedience.