Does God Know Everything?

So the LORD burned with anger against Israel. He said, “Because these people have violated my covenant, which I made with their ancestors, and have ignored my commands, I will no longer drive out the nations that Joshua left unconquered when he died. I did this to test Israel—to see whether or not they would follow the ways of the LORD as their ancestors did.” That is why the LORD left those nations in place. He did not quickly drive them out or allow Joshua to conquer them all. [Judges 2.20-23]

Does God know everything?

Well, ...does He?

Think about this: if God knows everything, why would He say, "I did this to test Israel—to see whether or not they would follow the ways of the LORD as their ancestors did..."?

Why would God, Who knows everything, have to see if Israel would follow His ways?

Does God then know everything?

Well, ... does He??

Is the Bible contradictory? Does the Bible indicate that God knows everything, but also indicates in contradiction that He has to test man to see whats in man's heart?

I mean, either God knows everything, or He doesn't, right?

We are faced with a decision. Is the Bible true or not? Does God know everything or not?

Let's look to the Bible, shall we? If we look at the context of every question God asks in the Bible, we will see that God was not asking the question because He did not know the answer - but because the one being questioned needed to become aware of the answer. God did not ask Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, "Where are you?" because He had lost them and could not find them! No, He asked them where they were, so they would understand they were hiding from Him because they had sinned.

When God tested Israel-to see whether or not they would follow His ways, it was NOT for HIM to know whether or not they would follow His ways, but so they would know that they were unfaithful in their hearts and would not follow Him.

And why does God want His people to know they are unfaithful? So they can repent and be restored. Because it is God's nature to draw all men to Himself. It is God's nature to love and nurture mankind. 

But if man does not see his sin, he will not repent. And, if man does not repent, there is no forgiveness. If there is no forgiveness, there remain only curses upon disobedience.

Think of it this way: a good teacher knows what his or her students have actually learned. In the process of educating the students, the good teacher is fully aware what the students have or have not grasped. It comes from the interaction of teaching. However, the good teacher is compelled to administer tests for a couple of reasons. The test reveals to the student, first and foremost, what that student does or does not know. The test then gives the good teacher a score to report to the parents indicating what the good teacher already knows.

God never tested or tests anyone because He is unaware of what they will do. Any "test" from God is a learning opportunity for the one being tested to understand what is in his or her heart. They need to know what is in their heart so they might repent of anything unpleasing to God.

The reason God asks man questions is BECAUSE HE ALREADY KNOWS THE ANSWER and wishes for man to understand that answer too!

So, God does indeed know everything. His tests allow us to see our shortcomings and, in seeing them, have the opportunity to correct them - to repent of sin, and be restored to blessings.

So, what might we conclude is necessary when we are tested and tried? We might conclude that there is an answer - a sin - perhaps otherwise hidden to us that needs to be repented of so that we might be restored. The Bible is clear that tests and trials (all defined in Deuteronomy 28 as curses) never come without reason:

Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim. [Proverbs 26.2]

One might argue that we live in all kinds of curses - trials and tests - and that, surely, man is not that sinful. One might argue that, but one would be wrong to do so! False religious doctrines have left the Truth and have for a long time now excused man from sin and the need to repent. It is high time that true followers of God get back to repentance. Jesus said:

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” [Matthew 4.17]

What was Jesus first ministry point? REPENT! Why was that so important? Because it is that important! But Jesus was not qualified to begin His ministry and preach repentance until He had first been through some trials Himself...

Interesting, huh?

Father, Your Word is amazing. In the midst of my trials - in the midst of our current national and global trials with COVID-19, help us to see our need for repentance.