Did the crucifixion of Jesus take God by surprise?
No. God was not caught off guard by the cross. In His foreknowledge He knew what Israel would do; Peter said they did not take God by surprise when they rejected and crucified Him. It was all decided before anything happened, according to the determinant counsel and foreknowledge of God.
Les teaches that God's foreknowledge means He knew every person's decision, including Israel's rejection of the Messiah. God knew what Israel would do as He brought the little nation on the scene by way of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Yet their choice was not taken away; God simply knew what they would do with it. Peter therefore says the Jews did not take God by surprise when they rejected and crucified Him. It was all decided before anything ever happened, according to the determinant counsel, the full agreement of the Godhead, and the foreknowledge of God. This same foreknowledge underlies election: God knew which Jews Peter was writing to would believe, and He knew you and I would believe, so He could reserve a place in the body and a place of service.