Jesus Is…, 47

~ Jesus Christ Is Omniscient (all knowing) ~

Passages  ~  “Have you not known?  Have you not heard?  The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary.  His understanding is unsearchable” (Isaiah 40:28). 

“He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.  Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite” (Psalm 147:4-5). 

“For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:1-3). 

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

“His disciples said to Him, ‘See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech!  Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You.  By this we believe that You came forth from God” (John 16:29-30).

“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’  Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’  And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You’” (John 21:17). 

Significance  ~  “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). “The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile” (Psalm 94:11).  “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts.  If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever” (1 Chronicles 28:9).  “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).

Comment  ~  “O Lord, You have searched me and known me.  You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.  You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.  For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.  You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it” (Psalm 139:1-6).

additional remark:  For a different look and fuller understanding of the Omniscience of God see chapter 9, entitled “Seeing Is Knowing” in the international award winning book GOD LIGHT: Sunlight Sonlight (find details by clicking on the God Light tab above).

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

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(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Omni

~ 3 Omni Statements In 1 Old Testament Verse  ~

The Verse  ~  “For behold, He who forms mountains, and creates the wind, Who declares to man what his thought is, and makes the morning darkness, Who treads the high places of the earth—the Lord God of hosts is His name” (Amos 4:13).

Comment  ~  Notice that Amos possessed a meaningful view of the majesty of God.  Amos understands that God is the Creator (omnipotence—all-powerful).  God, the Creator, understands our thoughts (omniscient—all knowing).  God, the Creator is throughout the earth (omnipresence—present everywhere).  God does all, knows all, and sees all.  There are no secrets, nothing hidden from Almighty God.  “Secret sin on earth is open scandal in heaven.”    – Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer

Recap  ~  “For behold, He who forms mountains, and creates the wind [omnipotent Creator], Who declares to man what his thought is [omniscient God], and makes the morning darkness, Who treads the high places of the earth [omnipresent God]—the Lord God of hosts is His name” (Amos 4:13).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Holy – 2 of 3

~ Definitions ~

What Does Holy Mean?

Like many words, the word "holy" is used in more than one way in Scripture. If you were to ask a number of Christians in your local church to define holy or to give some synonyms, the typical responses would be such words as pure, righteous, immaculate, and sinless. While those words are all encompassed in the concept of holy, they are very limiting as opposed to the use of the word holy in the Word of God.

In a very fundamental sense, holy is a description of the uniqueness of God. It is interesting that most people have a different reaction to the word holy than to omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, eternal, or any of the great attributes of God. And we also know that Scripture nowhere commands us to "be ye eternal for I am eternal," nor do we read that we are to be all-knowing, all-powerful, and so forth.

There is no adequate way to convey holy in the English language (or any other language), and there is no way to begin to grasp the depths of this characteristic of God. Some theologians have rightly pointed out that the word holy encompasses all of God's attributes. At the same time, since we are commanded to be holy—we must seek to understand what it is we are to be.

A primary and basic meaning of the word holy in the Word is "separate," that which is "set apart" or is "a cut above." In Christian circles we often talk about sanctification as being "set apart" and as being the process of becoming holy. While this is a correct concept, we may have oversimplified to the point of losing the significance of the meaning. Holy is that which is so different and "totally unique" as to be a magnitude above the highest!

Holy means "peculiar." Something which is holy is "very special." Holy is unique and not ordinary. In this regard we find that in contrast to holy, the King James Version (and others) uses the word "profane" to describe that which is ordinary or common.

When this key aspect of the meaning of holy is comprehended, the mysterious idea that holiness somehow encompasses all of God's attributes becomes quite clear. God is holy (unique) with regard to His purity and righteousness. God is also holy (unique) with respect to His all-knowing, holy (unique) by His ever-presence, and holy (unique) in His eternal nature.

This connotation of "separate from the rest," of uniqueness, provides insight into why many physical objects in the Scriptures were referred to as holy. Why, even the ground is termed as holy (for example Exodus 3:5). Additionally, the Scriptures mention holy anointing oil, holy water, holy house, holy place, holy bread, holy instruments, holy seed, a holy ark, and of course the holy of holies; many things and places are described as holy. The nation Israel was termed a holy nation because they were God's people, a unique people, set apart for God.

In the New Testament we read regarding Christians that they are "a holy priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5). Perhaps the use of the word holy to describe many ordinary objects is one reason we have tended to let go of the primary definition of holy when it comes to describing God and instead to emphasize the concept of purity and righteousness. In doing so, we have lost much of the richness of the meaning.

It is also instructive to recognize that many things that were set apart and deemed holy in the Old Testament were set apart in order that they be undefiled, or kept pure. This provides more understanding of how we have drifted to the meaning of purity.

It should also be noted that the word "Pharisee" connotes the meaning of "one who is separate." Certainly we would not want to associate our God with the Pharisees—the Pharisees were unique in some negative ways. The emphasis of a holy God is clearly that of "positive uniqueness" or "above all else."

When we understand holy as uniqueness, we see that the holiness of God really is a summary attribute which represents God's deity and exclusiveness. The word holy calls attention to who and what God is—totally different than anything or anyone else. God's knowledge is holy knowledge. His justice is holy justice. His mercy is a holy mercy. His spirit is the Holy Spirit.

Does God change His mind?

~ The Answer Might Surprise You ~

This is an interesting and complex question. Scripture is clear that our God is an unchanging God; however, on one hand we read that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), but there are some other accounts in the Word of God which appear to contradict this. We read passages which state outright that God changed His mind (Exodus 32 for example).

Comparing these and other passages could cause one to question some of the beliefs of the Christian faith. For example, we believe the Bible was inspired, literally “God-breathed,” and is without error in the original manuscripts. We believe that God is completely consistent and cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18). We also believe that God is all-knowing—“omniscient.” God is not bound as we are by time and space—He can move forward through time instantaneously.

Another aspect of this question is with regard to prayer. If God does not change His mind, then why do we pray? What is the purpose of prayer if everything has already been determined?

The Explanation ~ It is important to recognize that while the Scripture is perfect in its original form, it has been translated by imperfect humans over the centuries—sometimes with gross errors, sometimes with minor problems, and often with difficulty in transferring the correct thought from one language to another. This is key. In many instances where modern translations say God changed His mind or that God repented of His prior decision, it is due to translation problems. The Hebrew word nacham (“nawkam”), often translated into English as “changed His mind” or “repented,” is an incomplete translation. A more correct English wording would be “made a change in direction.” In other words while the original manuscripts are faultless, translators and language equivalency can be faulty! This can make a huge difference. To say someone changed his mind is quite different than saying someone changed direction.

Another key is to realize that when God says He does not change He is referring to His nature and His absolute decrees. Since He has given free will to mankind, He often allows us the choice of obeying and being blessed or going our own way and reaping the consequences.

God will not change His mind in reference to His oaths or outright decrees (Psalm 110:4 is an example). In instances of God providing direction, He often states the results of disobedience. In situations where human free will is involved, He leaves open a “change in direction” if there is obedience. This concept also provides insight into why we are commanded to pray. James 5:16 tells us prayer can achieve much.

Exodus 32 and other similar passages should be understood with these factors in mind. In the original language God tells Moses he may as well get out of there because at this point God planned to destroy the people because of their ongoing worship of idols. Such worship was something He had previously said was a capital offense (Exodus 22:20). It was as if God was providing a test for Moses.

Moses’ actions showed he did really care and love the people. Moses responded in prayer, earnestly pleading with God for the lives of the people. He responded with spiritual leadership and took his responsibilities seriously. It was on this basis that God instituted a change of direction—from what He had warned Moses was going to happen.

Earlier God had not made a final decision but had outlined to Moses the course of action currently in place. Moses responded appropriately, and therefore God was able to change His direction while remaining true to His nature. Part of the mystery in all this is that we know that God knows the end as well as He does the beginning—yet interwoven is the free will of man, in this case the free will of Moses.

Rather than a case of God not following through with His commandments, Exodus 32 actually shows a fulfillment of God’s earlier promises to show love and kindness to His people when they turn from their sin and approach Him in humility and obedience.

Consider two additional factors. First, God through His Word sometimes communicates with us through the use of anthropomorphism—using illustrations that fit our human understanding. Second, God, by definition, is so complex and above our full comprehension that we will never completely understand Him this side of heaven.

Summary ~ Does God change His mind? Not in the sense in which the question usually refers!

Does God change His direction and His actions based on the choices we make? Yes.

Does God know ahead of time what decisions and actions we will take? Yes.

Is God’s nature and character absolutely constant and unchanging? Yes!