OMNISCIENCE OF GOD

Omniscience is the condition of being all-knowing. This is one of our Lord's wondrous attributes. This characteristic belongs to God alone.

Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. Psalm 147:5

We see that the omniscience of God is not a matter of an essence of conjecture. As we study this aspect of God's all-knowing as it is of a private nature belonging to each individual, isn't it marvelous that God knows us in such a personal way! For those who are living unrighteously, this would be reason for someone to be fearful. But to those who are heirs to the kingdom of God, they have a blessed assurance . We sing a song titled Blessed Assurance.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.
The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. Psalm 34:15-16

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers;
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 1 Peter 3:12

Though the word omniscience is not in the Bible, in the Old Testament words are used which express His power. Some of the terminology used is 'seeing' and 'hearing' and also the 'eye 'and 'ear'.

For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 1 John 3:20

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

Our incredibly magnificent Lord made us aware of the dangers of the devil. In His wondrous foreknowledge He knew we would need to know of the cunning ways of the devil. It could be likened unto two countries that are at war, each country will learn all they can of their opponents strengths and weaknesses. We need to follow the words of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Then Jesus said to him, " Away with you, Satan! For it is written,
'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'" Matthew 4:10

Our Lord is all-knowing. He is aware of everything that occurs. Some people think they are able to do and say things without His knowledge. It does not happen in that manner. When we are children we may think that we can do things and no one will know or find out. We have escaped any consequences. Many times when it is discovered that God is aware of what we have done, we are scared.

But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. Genesis 11:5

I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know. Genesis 18:21

He is aware of each person's actions and thoughts.

For I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues;
and they shall come and see My glory. Isaiah 66:18

And there is no creature hidden from His sight,
but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13

That alone is an overwhelming thought. For one being to be so knowledgeable is beyond our comprehension. This knowledge begins before the beginning of time and will always be.

Who would not fear You, O King of the nations? For this is Your rightful due.
For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You. Jeremiah 10:7

Even from the beginning I have declared it to you; before it came to pass I proclaimed it to you,
lest you should say, 'My idol has done them, and my carved image and my molded image have commanded them.' Isaiah 48:5

We are not told that this divine knowledge was not acquired through any rationale, but is completely divine awareness.

But I know your dwelling place, your going out and your coming in, and your rage against Me. Isaiah 37:28

If we are going through tough times, it is so comforting to know that God is totally aware of all that is happening in our lives. Have you ever been in such a situation as to shake your head and wring your hands over a trying circumstance? You feel alone, we all have felt that way. But, we have an all-knowing God who is completely aware of our situation and will be with us as we endure this circumstance.

"Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?"says the Lord;
"Do I not fill heaven and earth?" says the Lord. Jeremiah 23:24

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3

We will see how the very nature of religion as communion (participation) with God will depend on His thoroughly extensive knowledge of our lives at all moments. So we see how it is characteristic of those who are not religious to deny this all-knowing ability of God .

Yet they say, " The Lord does not see, nor does the God of Jacob understand."
Understand, you senseless among the people; and you fools, when will you be wise?
He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? Psalm 94:7-9

"Am I a God near at hand," says the Lord, "And not a God afar off?" Jeremiah 23:23

He is never deceived or lacking in knowledge about anything. We see this revealed throughout scripture and specifically evidenced in Psalm 139.

But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man,
for He knew what was in man. John 2:24-25

God has foreknowledge of all events. For example, on Monday , God knows what we will do , but He allows us to make the decision by ourselves. Man's free will is enacted. Man at ALL times uses his free will. Free will has been given to all people. We are not robots, with God pressing the controls. We have the capability to make decisions. God knows what will occur, but He allows mankind to completely make the choice. This is done because on Judgement Day each person has to answer for their actions. If a person's actions are wrong , it is his/ her choice. The fact that God knew this beforehand does not change the situation. Mankind made the choice all by themselves. Maybe the choice was wrong, or maybe the choice was right.

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,
that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29

Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together.
Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time?
Have not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me,
a just God and a Savior; there is none besides Me. Isaiah 45:21

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise,
be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17

To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:25

DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Why are we made aware of the Devil's cunning ways by our Lord?
2. Even though not called "omniscience", how is the concept shown in the Bible?
3. With God's foreknowledge of events in our lives, does this shift the responsibility for the choices we make from us to God? Why or why not?
4. What is meant by the "free will" of mankind?
5. How do you know that God is knowledgeable of all we do?
6. How do some people try to deceive God?

ACTIVITY QUESTION

1. From what we read in the lesson, please prepare a list of standards that would be applicable to our lives.