What Did God See and Know?
The question of what God “saw” and “knew” is profound, touching on themes of divine awareness, omniscience, and moral judgment as depicted in the Bible. Throughout Scripture, God’s sight and knowledge are often mentioned together, highlighting His intimate understanding of creation, humanity, and the unfolding of history.
1. God’s Vision: Seeing All Things
In the Bible, God is repeatedly described as seeing everything. This does not mean God is limited by physical vision but emphasizes His complete awareness and attention to all aspects of life:
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Genesis 6:5-6: “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Here, God’s seeing is moral and relational. He perceives not just actions, but the intentions and attitudes of the heart.
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Psalm 33:13-15: “The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the children of man; from where He sits enthroned He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, He who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds.” God sees the entirety of humanity, their circumstances, and the consequences of their choices.
God’s sight is not limited by distance or time. Unlike humans, God’s seeing encompasses the past, present, and future simultaneously.
2. God’s Knowledge: Knowing All Things
Closely related to His sight is God’s knowledge. In Scripture, God’s knowledge is absolute, extending to every thought, plan, and action:
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Psalm 139:1-4: “O Lord, You have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You discern my thoughts from afar.” God’s knowledge is personal and intimate, extending even to individual thoughts.
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1 Samuel 16:7: “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” God’s knowledge penetrates beyond the superficial to the core of human motives and desires.
God’s omniscience is comprehensive. He knows:
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The past – all events and actions that have occurred.
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The present – every detail of the current reality.
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The future – the choices people will make and the consequences that follow.
3. God Sees and Knows Human Suffering
A significant aspect of God’s seeing and knowing is His awareness of human suffering and injustice. In the story of Israel in Egypt:
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Exodus 2:24-25: “God heard their groaning and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God saw the oppression of His people and knew their suffering.” Here, God’s sight and knowledge are coupled with His compassion. He is not distant or indifferent; He perceives human pain fully and acts according to His covenant promises.
4. God Sees and Knows Human Hearts
God’s knowledge is not only about events but also about character, intention, and moral choices:
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Jeremiah 17:10: “I, the Lord, search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” God’s knowing ensures that justice and mercy are perfectly administered.
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Matthew 6:4: In His teaching about giving, Jesus reminds that God sees what is done in secret, highlighting that God knows not only public deeds but also hidden acts of righteousness or wrongdoing.
5. Implications of God Seeing and Knowing
Understanding that God sees and knows everything has several profound implications:
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Comfort for Believers: Knowing that God is aware of suffering, injustice, and personal struggles brings reassurance. Nothing is hidden from His sight.
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Call to Integrity: Since God knows hearts and intentions, individuals are called to authenticity and moral honesty.
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Divine Justice: God’s knowledge ensures that all actions are accounted for and that ultimate justice will prevail.
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Guidance and Protection: God’s omniscience allows Him to guide, protect, and intervene according to His perfect wisdom.
6. Conclusion
When the Bible says God “saw” and “knew,” it expresses His omniscient awareness of creation and humanity. God sees everything—actions, hearts, and circumstances—and knows all—past, present, and future. His vision and knowledge are perfect, compassionate, and just, ensuring that no suffering is overlooked and no heart is misunderstood. For believers, this understanding underscores both the majesty and intimacy of God, who is simultaneously sovereign over all and deeply personal in His care.