Understanding Why God Is All Knowing: Exploring Divine Omniscience

We tend to forget that God cares about us and our struggles when life throws a lot at us at once. As a species, we have made a massive blunder in thinking that God is either removed from or uninterested in the specifics of our daily lives. However, God isn’t far away, and He isn’t blind. What is the truth about God being all-knowing?

God’s vastness, wisdom, power, and awesomeness are continuously made clear in God’s Word. As with many other passages, Psalm 139 demonstrates God’s omniscience[1], but this time, it serves as a potent reminder that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38–39). What does it mean to say that “God is all knowing,” and how does God’s omniscience affect the way we live our lives?

What Does “God Is All-Knowing Or Omniscient” Mean?

One who is omniscient is all-knowing. The Latin words for “omnis,” meaning “all,” and “scientia,” meaning “knowledge,” are the origins of this term. The Latin term “scientia” is the same word for “science” in English.

God is omniscient. By “omniscient,” Christians mean that God has perfect knowledge of everything that has ever happened and will ever happen. All wisdom originates from God. Everything that might happen has already happened in God’s eyes. God’s omniscience means he is aware of our ideas even before we have them. While human knowledge has limits, God’s knowledge doesn’t.

God, being an omniscient god, possesses a divine and infinite knowledge that surpasses all human comprehension. His omniscience encompasses every aspect of existence, from the tiniest detail to the grandest cosmic phenomena.

God’s knowledge is boundless and comprehensive, encompassing the past, present, and future. His infinite knowledge transcends the limitations of time and space, encompassing all truths, hidden and revealed.

The Lord searches the depths of every heart and mind, shedding light on even the darkness within. Nothing can escape God’s all-knowing gaze. He sees the truth that lies beneath the surface, discerning the intentions and motivations of every being. Even the darkest secrets and hidden truths are laid bare before his divine presence.

In the face of the vastness of God’s wisdom, we find solace and comfort. We can trust that God’s infinite knowledge and understanding extend beyond our limited perspectives. In seeking his guidance, we align ourselves with the same truth that God perceives.

God Has Perfect Knowledge

Elihu addressed Job in Job 37:16, “Do you know the amazing deeds of him who is flawless in knowledge?” This Scripture provides a beginning point for comprehending God’s immense wisdom.

The Hebrew word “Taman,” which is translated as “perfect” in this passage, also means “complete” or “completed.” There is nothing lacking from it. God’s viewpoint on the world is flawless; He knows how the image will appear for all eternity.

Our understanding is insufficient. Even after years of research and observation, scientists continue to uncover new characteristics of creation in our bodies, the depths of the ocean, and the vastness of space. The puzzle has missing pieces. Our comprehension is imperfect.

We cannot imagine every possible circumstance and interaction in the world forever. We do not even know the details of what our lives will be like tomorrow, nor do we recall every breath we take now.

Although we cannot rely on our knowledge or comprehension, we may rely on God. God knows our individual needs before we speak, so we may safely pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

God Is Our Source Of Knowledge

God, as our divine Creator, is the ultimate source of knowledge and wisdom. It is through his divine attributes that he bestows on us the capacity to seek and acquire knowledge. With his infinite wisdom, God righteously judges humanity, discerning the intentions and actions of each individual. He sees beyond the surface, delving into the depths of our hearts and minds with perfect knowledge. As a great and powerful nation, we, as human beings, can find solace and guidance in his omniscience.

By recognizing God as our source of knowledge, we can rest secure in the understanding that his wisdom surpasses all human understanding. His divine omniscience encompasses every aspect of existence, and he grants us the opportunity to tap into his limitless knowledge.

In our pursuit of knowledge, let us acknowledge God as the ultimate source and seek his wisdom with humility and reverence. By embracing his divine attributes and recognizing our dependence on his guidance, we can navigate the complexities of life with clarity and purpose.

God is aware of every particle and chemical reaction in creation, just as architects know the complexities of the structures they construct. Nothing is too tiny or too massive for the intimate understanding of our Creator. God understands the details of our growth within our mother’s womb and our life before birth.

In Job 37:14–16, “Elihu said, Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. Do you know how God lays his command upon them and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine? Do you know the balancing of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?”

God Knows And Sees Everything

According to Jeremiah 16:17, humans can’t hide anything from the Lord, even our inequities, for he lays his eyes on everything we do.

Hebrews 4:12–13 also states, “For the word of God is living and active… discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Psalm 139:4 also states that even before we say a word, or even before it reaches our tongue, the Lord already knows it.

Christ Jesus revealed to his disciples that God would hold us accountable for our filthy thoughts in the same way that he held us accountable for our unclean deeds. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27–28).

God means that he knows and sees everything. He encompasses all knowledge and understanding, for his perfect understanding surpasses human comprehension. God’s wondrous works and creations testify to his boundless wisdom and insight. People realize, and it is essential, that God’s knowledge extends beyond our limited perspective, and his perfect wisdom guides his divine counsel.

When we study God and seek a deeper understanding of his nature, we come to recognize his omniscience. God’s knowledge encompasses both the good and the evil, for he sees the hearts and intentions of all people. Even though evil people may exist in the world, God’s perfect understanding allows him to bring justice and work all things together for good.

In our journey of faith, we can find solace in knowing that God knows and sees everything. We can trust in his wisdom and guidance, his counsel and understanding, knowing that he comprehends every detail of our lives.

God Is All-Knowing Allow Us To Trust Him

Frequently, the most important questions we have concern hardship and agony. As stated in Psalm 73:11, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”

Just like how the Lord conveyed to Moses that he had witnessed the anguish of his people, we may have faith that God sees our unpleasant circumstances and hears the cries of those suffering.

“Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings” (Exodus 3:7).

If God is omniscient, it’s puzzling that bad things keep happening and people keep suffering. God’s goodness and his plan may be called into question, and that’s okay. The tragedy of Job serves as a reminder that human understanding is limited and that there are certain things we will never be able to fathom. “God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend,” says Job 37:5.

God’s judgment of evil sometimes seems delayed, but it will happen eventually because he is not bound by time or location. Jesus Christ illustrated to his disciples, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36–37).

20 Incredible Bible Verses That Speak God Is All-Knowing

The Scriptures are filled with testimonies showing God is omniscient. Here are 20 amazing Bible verses that speak of God’s knowledge:

“For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that he may strongly support those whose hearts are completely his. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on, you will surely have wars.”

— 2 Chronicles 16:9

“Therefore I declared them to you long ago, before they took place I proclaimed them to you so that you would not say, ‘My idol has done them, And my graven image and my molten image have commanded them.’ You have heard. Look at all this. And you, will you not declare it? I proclaim to you new things from this time, even hidden things that you have not known.”

— Isaiah 48:5–6

“For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. Who among men knows the thoughts of a man except for the spirit of the man that is in him? Even so, the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God .

— 1 Corinthians 2:10–11

“There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity may hide. For he does not need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.”

— Job 34:22–23

“For he knows false men, and he sees iniquity without investigating.”

— Job 11:11

“For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps. There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity may hide.”

— Job 34:21–22

“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

— Matthew 10:30

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”

— Luke 12:7

“Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.”

— 1 Corinthians 4:5

“But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he has thus fulfilled.”

— Acts 3:18

“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high; I cannot attain it.”

— Psalm 139:6

“Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things that have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all my good pleasure.”

— Isaiah 46:10

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”

— Matthew 6:31–32

“You know when I sit down and when I rise; you understand my thoughts from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down and are intimately acquainted with all my ways.”

— Psalm 139:2–3

“O Lord, do not Your eyes look for truth? You have smitten them, but they did not weaken; you have consumed them, but they refused to accept correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to repent.”

— Jeremiah 5:3

“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will let you find him; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.”

— 1 Chronicles 28:9

“For the word of God is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from his sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

— Hebrews 4:12–13

“For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity concealed from My eyes.”

— Jeremiah 16:17

“The Lord looks from heaven; he sees all the sons of men; from His dwelling place he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all, he who understands all their works.

— Psalm 33:13–15

“Can anyone teach God knowledge, in that he judges those on high?”

— Job 21:22

Reasons To Celebrate That God Is All Knowing

God gives us enough reasons to celebrate his omniscience. We can take comfort in knowing that he knows us and what’s best for our lives. Here are two of the many reasons we can celebrate God’s knowledge:

God Knows The Past, Present, And Future

In Isaiah 46:9–10, God reminds us that “there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'”

God, being all-knowing, prompted foreseeing prophets to speak for him. Joseph was right on both counts in prophesying seven years of famine and seven years of plenty.

According to Daniel’s prophecy, as instructed by God, Nebuchadnezzar would be reduced to eating grass like an animal and forced to dwell in the wilderness (Daniel 4:24–33).

Prophesying the destruction of the Temple was one of God’s orders to Ezekiel. “Say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary — the stronghold in which you take pride, the delight of your eyes, the object of your affection (Ezekiel 24:21).'”

God Gives Us Wisdom

Instead of attempting to educate ourselves or figure things out when we feel ignorant, we should pray for God to show us what we need to know.

God assured Moses that he would show him what to say when he first felt insecure. We can get divine assistance much like Moses did when we pray for insight. As a result of our obedience, he will bestow on us wisdom and understanding.

“Then the Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, deaf, seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak (Exodus 14:11–12).'”

The Bible speaks of God as the giver of wisdom, unfathomable in his ways to our limited understanding. God, having the power to judge humanity, bestows upon us the wisdom to discern right from wrong and make wise decisions. The Bible teaches us that God’s wisdom is beyond measure, rooted in his complete knowledge of all things, both past and present.

The Apostle Paul declared that God’s wisdom is revealed to us through the workings of the Holy Spirit. It is through this divine guidance that we can comprehend the mysteries of God’s plan, even in the midst of presently occurring events.

Summary

Being omniscient, or having complete and total knowledge and understanding of everything, is an essential component of God’s nature and character. God knows all there is to know about everything.

God is a God of infinite knowledge. Believers can trust that God sees and knows everything at all times. He has promised to supply every need of every single believer because he knows what they are. Those who have faith in God can take solace in the fact that he knows everything.

In our pursuit of wisdom, we are reminded to lean not on our own understanding but to trust in God’s infinite wisdom, for his ways are higher and more profound than our own. By seeking his wisdom and aligning ourselves with his teachings, we can navigate the complexities of life with clarity and discernment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of the all-knowing?

The “all-knowing” refers to an entity with limitless knowledge, transcending human understanding. It embodies omniscience, indicating complete awareness of all aspects of existence, often associated with divine or transcendent beings in religious and philosophical contexts.

Why knowing God personally is very important?

Knowing God personally holds significant importance as it provides guidance, comfort, and purpose, fostering spiritual growth, moral development, and inner peace. This relationship serves as a source of solace, hope, and direction, shaping one’s values, choices, and perspectives on life.

What is the paradox of God being all-knowing?

The paradox of God’s omniscience revolves around reconciling divine foreknowledge with human free will. It questions whether individuals can truly make choices independently of God’s complete knowledge of past, present, and future events, challenging traditional notions of causality and determinism within theological contexts.