Foresight

"A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: 

but the simple pass on, and are punished." 

(Prov. 22: 3 kjv)

There are several good definitions of the word "foresight" but I think this one from Collins is very good.

"Someone's foresight is their ability to see what is likely to happen in the future and to take appropriate action."

This dictionary also says: Synonyms: forethought, prudence, circumspection, far-sightedness. 

I believe the above text in Proverbs is talking about the kind of foresight that bible believers ought to possess. Actually, they should have all kinds of sight, such as hindsight, insight, foresight, etc. Wrote the apostle Peter:

"For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins." (II Peter 1: 9 nkjv) 

Some translations say "nearsighted" instead of shortsighted. Just as we have people who are literally either nearsighted (myopia) or farsighted (hyperopia) so we have those same people metaphorically (in regard to their wisdom). Actually, both are mentioned in the text. "Cannot see afar off" (kjv) means nearsighted. "Has forgotten" means can no longer discern past events or history. 

Astigmatism is blurred or distorted vision. Metaphorically, I believe those believers who are not interested in prophetic studies dealing with future events, suffer from myopia and believers who cannot remember things that have been fulfilled are they who suffer from a spiritual hyperopia. Others suffer from astigmatism and cannot properly see what a text of scripture says and come away with a distorted or twisted view of it.

Prophets had the special ability (gift) to be able to foresee events. Oftentimes this was due to divine wisdom in being able to foresee consequences and results. But, all believers should seek to be prophets. (I Cor. 14: 1) We should all desire to have more foresight, the ability to see the consequences of our choices and actions.

Foresight

"He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens." (Luke 12:54-55) 

When we have foresight we will be able to forecast. So, we have weather forecasters and some are better than others. We also have stock market forecasters and again some are good and others not so good. 

"By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household..." (Heb. 11: 7)

Here Noah had foresight as a prophet and as one with keen vision, with insight and foresight. 

In fact,  the words "looking diligently" may involved the idea of exercising foresight. (Hebrews 12:15)

In Acts 24:2 we read of how Paul, having been called into court, had Tertullus the prosecutor to accuse him, and in order to win favor with the Judge, said in his sophistic manner to him that it was by the Judge that the people enjoyed much peace through him, and that "worthy deeds being done to this nation through thy forethought." (some translations say "through your providence"). We want leaders who have foresight, who can see the consequences of things.

Let us pray that God will give us better vision of things in his word, of things past, present, and future.