Before we assume that Isaiah 46:9ff teaches an exhaustive divine decree whereby God determines and foreordains everthing which comes to pass, a few observations need to be made:

(1) In context, Yahweh is challenging the existence of the false gods: "There is no God apart from me" (45:21b). The futility of worshipping these so-called gods is that they "cannot save" (45:20); moreover, they are unable to "declare what is to be" (45:21a). Only Yahweh has exhaustive foreknowledge of "what is still to come" (46:10a).

(2) Not only does Yahweh have divine foreknowledge, but he is able to accomplish his purposes, his intentions, through men: "My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. From the east I summon ... a man to fulfil my purpose." (46:10b-11).

The question must be asked, "Is every event and human action and decision the result of God's intention, the fulfillment of his purpose?" For example, is it God's purpose that we sacrifice our children to false gods? The Lord's response is that it is "something I did not command, nor did it enter my mind" (Jer. 7:31). It's pretty difficult to maintain here an exhaustive foreordination of all things when such actions did not enter God's mind. Point is: not everything which happens is the result of God's purpose.

Michael