I'm pretty sure it was foresight...
Manwë (by calling him out as soon as he arrived) obviously had great faith and saw in him the potential to be Sauron's greatest opposition. Varda must've shared this view, as indicated by her comment after Manwë gave the command to Olórin to be the third emissary (since two had already stepped forward - Curumo and Alatar):
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But at that Varda looked up and said "Not as third;" and Curumo remembered it.
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Also, on Radagast's mission, I believe he didn't fill out the purpose of the Istari being sent by the Valar. Though he might've done what Yavanna liked, it wasn't exactly what Manwë had in mind, I'm sure.
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There is no hint of an explanationof why Yavanna's evident desire that the Istari should include in their number one with a particular love of the things of her making could only be achieved by imposing Radagast's company on Saruman; while the essay on the Istari that in becoming enamoured of the wild creatures of Middle-earth Radagast neglected the purpose for which he was sent that in becoming enamoured of the wild creatures of Middle-earth Radagast neglected the purpose for which he was sent if perhaps not perfectly in accord with the idea of his being specially chosen by Yavanna.
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[ June 18, 2002: Message edited by: Legalos ]