The word omniscient comes from two Latin words “omnis” meaning “all”, and “scientia” meaning “knowledge”. The Bible clearly tells us that God knows everything, but how can that be given God has also given us free will? Lots of people get hung up on that. They struggle when thinking about our free will, and start to think that God is not in control and He may not know what is going to happen. This is because we are thinking like humans. When we consider all the Bible has to say, it is pretty clear…. God does know everything…
God knows every past action, every present action, every future action, and even every possible action.
He knows every thought we have, every word we say, and every action we do.
He is never surprised, never has to learn anything, and He never forgets anything; with the only except when He chooses to forget our sins as stated in Isaiah 43:25 and Hebrews 10:14-18.
Psalm 147:4-5 says that God determined the number of stars and knows them by name. An Australian study a few years ago estimated that the number of stars are 70,000 million million million. That is 70 followed by 22 zeros, which is more than the grains of sand on our planet. And God knows them all by name!
Psalm 139:1-4 says that God knows what we are doing at all times, and He knows our thoughts and what we are going to say before we say it.
Matthew 10:30 tells us that God even knows the number of hairs on our head.
God even knows things that mankind has yet to discover. As science and technology evolve, we gain more and more insight into God’s creation from the vast space of the universe, to the tiniest molecules. However, we will never reach an ultimate and complete level of understanding, like what God has.
His knowledge is absolute and unacquired. His has perfect knowledge, perfect wisdom, and perfect understanding.
God created everything, so it is logical that He would know everything. He even created knowledge and wisdom.
We must ensure that our children fully understand that God is Omniscient, and what that really means. This knowledge will let them know that He is in control and we are not, and that He knows everything and we do not. This will help them navigate this life’s ups and downs. It will give them a sense of awe for our Creator, and will lead them to piece and comfort.
Discuss some of the below with your children, so they can gain an understanding of our omniscient God.
A few examples of God’s omniscience:
God telling Noah a flood was going to come. It has been estimated that it took Noah and his sons 20-40 years to build the ark. Then it rained 40 days and 40 nights, flooding the earth just as God predicted. Genesis 6-7
God telling Abraham that his wife Sarah would have a son in her old age. And God predicting that a great nation would come from Abraham’s descendants. Genesis 18
God speaking through the prophet Isaiah to prophesy many details about the Messiah, and hundreds of years later it all came true. Jesus fulfilled 353 prophecies, many were made hundreds of years prior to his birth.
God predicting through the angel Gabriel that Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth would have a son even though she was very old, and that he will lead the way for the Messiah. Luke 1:5-25
God told Abraham what would happen to his descendants, that they would be strangers in a land that is not theirs, they would be enslaved for 400 years, that they would be come out with many possessions, and that they would once again return to their homeland. Gen 15:13-16
Old Testament verses:
“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” Isaiah 46:9-10.
“Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?” Isaiah 40:13-14.
“Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.” Psalm 139:4.
“O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” Psalm 139:1-3.
“My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you.” Psalm 139:15-16.
“Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest?” Job 21:22. “He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” Psalm 147:4-5.
“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9.
“Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?” Job 37:16.
“From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.” Psalm 33:13-15.
New Testament verses:
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” Romans 11:33.
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13.
“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7.
“Whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” 1 John 3:20.
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:29-30.
