No, God was not surprised by Israel's rejection of the Messiah.
Scripture declares that Jesus was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God. Les Feldick teaches that both the rejection by Israel and the crucifixion by Rome were predetermined in eternity past, not unexpected events.
Acts 2:23 — This is the key verse Peter used to show Israel that their rejection and crucifixion of the Messiah happened under God's determinate counsel and foreknowledge.
Psalm 2:2 — This psalm prophesies that the rulers and kings of the earth would take counsel together against the LORD's anointed, showing the rejection was foreknown.
Acts 3:18 — Peter tells Israel that God had foretold the sufferings of Christ through the prophets, showing it was not a surprise.
In Acts 2:23, Peter declares to the nation of Israel: "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain." The phrase "determinate counsel and foreknowledge" indicates that the crucifixion occurred according to God's settled purpose and prior knowledge, not as an unforeseen event. Psalm 2:2 prophesied the opposition: "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying." This was fulfilled when Jewish rulers and Gentile authorities conspired against Jesus. Peter further explained in Acts 3:18: "But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled." The suffering of the Messiah had been announced in advance through the prophets.
Les Feldick explains that God was not surprised by Israel's rejection of the Messiah. In Acts 2, Peter confronts Israel over crucifying their Messiah, and Les highlights that this happened by the "determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God." Les says plainly: "Was God surprised when Israel rejected the Messiah? No. Was God surprised when Rome crucified Him? No. It was all predetermined back in eternity past" (Clip 1). Les also points out that Jesus Himself told the twelve disciples, before going up to Jerusalem, exactly what would happen to Him—scourging, beating, death, and resurrection on the third day. Jesus knew these details not only in His earthly ministry but from eternity past, so God was never caught off guard (Clip 2). Les further teaches that the rejection and crucifixion were all part of God's eternal plan for the ages. The cross was the highlight of the determinate plan that God laid out before anything was created, and Christ had to suffer to purchase salvation for everyone who would respond (Clips 3, 6). He acknowledges the mystery of human free will and divine sovereignty, yet insists that nothing Israel did caught God by surprise; everything they did fit into His foreknown plan (Clip 5).
No. Les Feldick directly asks and answers: "Was God surprised when Israel rejected the Messiah? No. Was God surprised when Rome crucified Him? No. It was all predetermined back in eternity past" (Clip 1). He also notes that the rulers of Israel and the kings of this earth conspired together to put the Messiah to death, and Jesus had already told His disciples every detail of His suffering (Clip 2).
Les acknowledges this is hard to comprehend. Israel operated under free will as a nation, "and yet everything they do is according to His plan." Nothing Israel did caught God by surprise, because God is sovereign, omniscient, and absolutely in control of everything (Clip 5).
Les teaches that the rejection was all part of God's eternal plan for the ages. It had to happen "in order to purchase the salvation of every human being who would respond" (Clip 6). So the rejection was not a divine miscalculation; it was the pathway by which Christ would provide salvation.
Les explains that at the first advent, when Israel rejected Jesus, God called Him back to glory and turned to the Gentiles with salvation by grace, with no connection to Israel's Law (Clip 4). Yet God is not through with the Jew; He will still come back and keep His covenant promises with them as a nation (Clip 7).
What Shall We Do? Acts 2 & God's Foreknowledge Explained
Hello, and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
God's Determinate Counsel and Foreknowledge
Les teaches that Acts 2:23 shows Israel's rejection and crucifixion of Jesus happened under God's determinate counsel and foreknowledge; God was not surprised.
God's Foreknowledge and Jesus' Foreknowledge
Les teaches that God knew exactly what would happen because Jesus Himself told the disciples the details of His suffering; He knew it from eternity past, so no one caught God by surprise.
Christ's Suffering in God's Eternal Plan
Les teaches that God had an eternal plan of the ages and Christ must suffer within it; God was not caught by surprise.
The Aftermath of Israel's Rejection
Les shows that when Israel rejected the Messiah at the first advent, God called Christ back to glory and turned to the Gentiles with salvation by grace.
God's Sovereignty and Israel's Free Will
Les teaches that nothing Israel did caught God by surprise; despite their free will, everything they did fit into God's foreknown plan.
The Purpose of the Rejection
Les teaches that the rejection and crucifixion were part of God's eternal plan to purchase salvation for everyone who responds.
Israel's Ignorance and God's Foreknowledge
Les teaches that Israel acted in ignorance, but they should have known; God had foretold through the prophets the suffering of Christ.
Acts 2:23: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
This is the foundational verse showing that the crucifixion occurred according to God's determinate counsel and foreknowledge.
Psalm 2:2: The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
This psalm, referenced by Les, prophesies the conspiring of rulers against God's anointed Messiah.
Acts 3:18: But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
Peter reminds Israel that the suffering of Christ was foretold through the prophets, confirming it was not a surprise.
No. God's foreknowledge and determinate counsel included the rejection from eternity past. Les Feldick says God was not surprised when Israel rejected the Messiah or when Rome crucified Him (Clip 1).
Yes, according to Les Feldick, Israel operated under free will as a nation, yet God's sovereignty and foreknowledge meant their actions fulfilled His plan. He says it is hard to comprehend, but God is absolutely in control of everything (Clip 5).
Les Feldick teaches it was all part of God's eternal plan for the ages. The rejection had to happen in order to purchase the salvation of every human being who would respond (Clip 6).
Watch the Teaching: What Shall We Do? Acts 2 & God's Foreknowledge Explained