Lesson 39

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Bible Study 1 - Genesis 16

 

Series # 4:         FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF FAITH

Lesson 39:        Genesis 16.1-14   THE GOD WHO CAN SEE EVERYTHING

 

Genesis 16:1-14 (KJV) “1 Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.  2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.  3 And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. 4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.  5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.  6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face. 7 And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.  8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.  9 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. 10 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.  11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.  12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.  13 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?  14 Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.”

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

The context of this portion of Scripture is as follows. Hagar is alone, frightened and sure that God is nowhere around. Yet, in her trial, God knew exactly where she was. He saw every move she made and He came to her to offer comfort and hope.  As I read this story and try to place myself there in history and put myself in her sandals out in the desert I have a question that lingers in my mind. As I place myself in her position, whether she was right or wrong, trying to do her best to follow the customs of the day and doing her best to do what was asked of her and trying to please everyone and no doubt please some of her own secret desires, and then have this destiny fall before her and her son, I want to ask WHY? I have had a hard time getting away from the question “WHY?” I can come up with many theological and moral answers to the question. However, nothing I can think of quiet comforts the human heart when one puts themselves back in that period of time under those particular circumstances in a personal sense as if I or you were Hagar.

 

While I cannot tell you the answer to that question, I can tell you about THE GOD WHO CAN SEE EVERYTHING. I cannot define God’s purposes and I cannot explain God’s Person, but I can tell you that God is well aware of everything that is going on in our lives.

        

When God showed up in the middle of Hagar’s nightmare, she stood amazed in the profound truth that God Almighty had His eye on her. She was amazed that God cared about her. She was so amazed that she called His name “El-Roi” – that means “Thou God Seest Me!” I cannot pronounce this, and bless your heart if you can, but she named the well “Beerlahairoi” – which means “The well of the Living One that seest me.”

       

 I want everyone studying this with me to know that THE SAME GOD WHO SAW HAGAR HAS HIS EYE ON YOU. He knows where you are. He sees what you are going through. He is the God of omniscience. I want us all to see the truth that He sees us in all that we do, no matter where we are and no matter what we do or why we do it. I want us to see the truth that He sees us, but not with disinterest. He sees us and He cares about us. I want us all to come to understand that we are “the apple of His eye.” 

  1.  The Bible says in Psalm 17:8, “ Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,”

  2. The Bible also says in Zechariah 2:8, “For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. ”

While we are GROWING TOGETHER IN CHRIST’S LOVE I want us to look at some of the details of His omniscience as we study about THE GOD WHO CAN SEE EVERYTHING.

 

INTERPRETATION:

 

THE CERTAINTY OF HIS OMNISCIENCE

 

“Thou God seest me” - “Omniscience” means “Possessing total knowledge; knowing everything.” When we say that God is omniscient, we are saying that He knows absolutely everything there is to know. The proof of His omniscience can be found in four areas.

 

IN HIS PERSON

 

The Greeks called God “Theos.” This word comes from a root word that means, “The One Who Sees.” The very concept of deity revolves around His ability to see His creation. The ancient people saw God as a Being Who could take in the whole of His creation with a single glance. They saw Him as One Who knows every detail in the universe with complete knowledge. When we breath His name, we are invoking that Name of “The One Who Sees.” As the preacher/theologian/commentator, Spurgeon said, “It were as impossible to conceive of a God Who did not observe everything, as to conceive of a round square.”

 

IN HIS PRESENCE

 

God knows everything not only because of Who He is, but also because of where He is. The Psalmist reminds us of His omnipresence in Psalm 139:1-12.

  1.  The Bible says “Psalm 139:1-12(KJV) “ 1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2    Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3    Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4    For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5  Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6    Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. 7    Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8    If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9    If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10    Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11    If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12    Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” 

He does not see us from afar, but He ever with us, beholding all we do.

  1. The Bible says in Proverbs 15:3, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

God is around you, before you, beneath you, above you and within you. It would be easier to escape from your own skin than to escape from Him. In His greatness, the One Who fills all must therefore know all!

 

IN HIS POWER

 

God knows everything not just because of Who He is and where He is, but also because of what He does. Our God is not disconnected from His creation. He sees the sparrow that falls to the earth. He knows the very number of the hairs on your head. Everywhere you go, everywhere you look, you can see the hand of God actively involved in His creation. The Bible says in Psalm 19:1-4 a, “1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handywork. 2    Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. 3    There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4    Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world...” He controls everything in this world.  That means a God Who fills all things and controls all things must therefore know all things!

 

In His Purposes

 

God knows everything because He is God; because He is everywhere; and because He controls all things. It is also clear that He knows what will take place before it ever happens.

  1. The Bible says in Isaiah 46:10-11, “10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”

  2. The Bible says in Psalm 135:6, “Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.”

  3. The Bible says in Daniel 4:35, “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”

How does God know what will happen before it takes place? He plans it!

  1. The Bible says in Ephesians 1:11, “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated (planned by God) according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: ”

Nothing can happen in this world that is not a part of God’s eternal, perfect, unstoppable plan! That may not help you, but it sure does bless me!

  1. That puts the comfort in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” A God Who plans all things is surely able to know all things!

 

EXPLANATION:

 

THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS OMNISCIENCE

 

“Thou God seest me” – The God we serve is an omniscience God. He sees all things all the time. Since that is true, here is what that mean for us

 

HIS KNOWLEDGE OF IS PERSONAL – HE “SEEST ME!”

 

God sees us as if there were not another creature in His universe. Can you get your mind around that? If I try to see each of you, I am forced to look at one person at a time. God can see all things at the same time and still give each person His full attention! Now, imagine that every star and heavenly body was gone from sight. Imagine that all the earth was void of the features that catch the eye. Now, imagine in that environment that the piercing eyes of God were focused solely on you. That is just how it is! You and I are the focus of His undivided attention. In John Chapter 4 – When Jesus spoke to the woman at the well, there might as well have been no one else in the world. That is how He sees us. We are the particular object of His attention right now!

 

HIS KNOWLEDGE OF US IS PERFECT – HE “SEEST ME!”

 

When God sees us, He does not just see what we are wearing, where we are going or the expression on our faces. He sees us entirely, completely, without and within at the same time. He knows our every thought, our every imagination, even before they are formed in the mind. The Bible says in Psalm 139:4, “For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.” As we move through this life, our God sees us completely, perfectly and thoroughly.

 

HIS KNOWLEDGE OF US IS PERSISTENT –  “THOU GOD SEEST ME.”

 

“Seest” is a present tense verb. God sees and He always sees. Do you ever notice how we watch ourselves when the eyes of others are known to be upon us – they are watching us? We weight every word, watch every step and temper every deed, when the eyes of others are watching. But when the eyes of men are nowhere around, we tend to let down our guard. However, I want to remind us all that when others are gone; when the door is closed; when darkness has enveloped us; and when we think we are all alone, the eyes of Almighty God still see us.

  1.  The Bible says in Psalm 139:11-12, “If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12    Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”

  2. The Bible says in Isaiah 29:15, “Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?”

  3. The Bible says in Jeremiah 23:24, “Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.”

 

HIS KNOWLEDGE OF YOU IS EXTRAORDINARY OR PHENOMENAL – “THOU GOD SEEST ME!”

 

The word implies absolute sight. We think we see ourselves, but others often see us better than we see ourselves. While others may see us and judge our physical frame; and the wisest among us might be able to interpret our thoughts, deeds and motive; no one will ever know us like God does! God sees all, both that which is public and that which is private. Our parents, Our spouse and Our dearest friends may know have known us intimately, but they have never known us like God knows us. We may think we know ourselves, but we will never know our own heart like God does. God knows all there is to know about us. The Bible says in Psalm 139:1-3, “ O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2    Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3    Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.”

 

APPLICATION:

 

THE COMFORT OF HIS OMNISCIENCE

 

When we think of the omniscience of God, we often think of just the negative side. We think about how God sees everything we think, say or do, and this thought bothers us. In reality, the complete knowledge of God is one of the most comforting truths there is! I want to encourage you and tell you why.

 

HE SEES THE PETITIONER OR SUPPLICANT

 

In this passage, we see Hagar on the run. She is in a time of terrible distress. Yet, in the midst of her trial, she has a conversation with God. We call this prayer. I am glad God hears me when I pray, aren’t you? That is His promise!

  1. In the Bible God says in Isaiah 65:24, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”

  2. In the Bible God says in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

  3. In the Bible Jesus said in Matthew 7:7-11, “7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:  8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

 

But, there are times when it seems I just cannot put my prayers into words. What then? The God Who sees all things sees even the thought of our heart that cannot be expressed. He hears the prayer that remains unspoken. By His Holy Spirit within us, He interprets the message of our tears. He reads the unspoken message of the burdened heart! He does not need for us to frame our prayers in words; He can comprehend the depth of our petition, because He knows us intimately. The Bible says in Romans 8:26-27, “26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Even when the golden thread of life is severed and I slip out into eternity, I will enter Heaven with a prayer in my spirit and He will know that prayer just as surely as He knows me today!

 

HE SEES THE SUFFERER

 

In these verses, Hagar is suffering. She has been rejected, abused and hated. She is all alone and on the run. Her heart is broken and she does not know what to do. In her pain, she encounters the God Who sees.

        

No person sees it all! All around us today, there are people who suffer. They have pain and heartache that they keep well hidden from those around them. Take heart my friends! People around you may not see nor understand how you are feeling, what you are thinking, or what you are going through.

  1. THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN WHO KNOWS ALL ABOUT THE PATH YOU WALK.

    In the Bible Job said in Job 23:10, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” He knows where you are today and He knows what is around the next bend in the road. Since He knows, He is able to help you as no other!

  2. THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN WHO KNOWS ALL ABOUT THE PAIN YOU FEEL.

    The Bible says in Hebrews 4:15, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

  3. THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN WHO CARES ABOUT YOU WHEN YOU FEEL NO ONE ELSE DOES.

    The Bible says in 1st Peter 5:6-7,  “6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you.”

  4. THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN WHO IS ABLE TO GIVE YOU PEACE IN YOUR LONESOME VALLEY.

The Bible says in  Philippians 4:6-7, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

  1. THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN WHO IS ABLE TO WORK IN YOUR TROUBLES TO BRING ABOUT THE BEST CONCLUSION.

    The Bible says in 2nd Corinthians 4:17-18, “17 For our… affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 

  2. THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN WHO KNOWS HOW TO BRING JOY OUT OF YOUR DARKEST NIGHT.

    The Bible says in Psalm. 30:4-5, “4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. 5 …in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

 

HE SEES THE SLANDERED

 

Hagar has also been slandered. She is only a slave and she has been forced by her mistress into a situation she could not avoid. Now, she is forced to bear the brunt of Sarai’s anger. In that place of misunderstanding and slander, she finds help from the God Who sees.

        

There is no shortage of people who would slander our good names and our pure motives. Who hasn’t been misunderstood, misrepresented or become the focus of some malicious gossip and their hateful words at one time or another? I suppose we all have if we have been involved in society at all. However, God sees the truth! While other might spread their lies, God knows all there is to know about us and the circumstances we are in and one day, He will set the record straight.

       

If you are slandered in some way how would you answer your accusers? My hope is your answer would be by doing good. In 1st  Samuel 17 when Goliath was a threat to Israel and there was no one to go up against him David stepped forward to the challenge and was ridiculed by his older brother Eliab in v. 28, “And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.” He was also ridiculed by King Saul after David stepped forward and proclaimed that he would defeat the Giant in v. 33, “And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. ” David’s answer was to walk across the plain and slay the giant in the name of the Lord. My answer to slander and your answer to slander should be that we always do the right thing. Live for God and stay the course and God will allow you to live down those who would damage your good name!  That is my plan and it has always worked for me!

 

HE SEES THE SINNER

 

By birth, Hagar was an Egyptian. She was a heathen, a pagan, a sinner. Yet, the eye of God was upon her. She ran away from people, but she could not get away from the gaze of God. If you are lost, you may think God doesn’t think about you. The truth is, He sees all you do. He is there when the thought of sin in conceived. He is there when the deed of sin is carried out. He will be watching when the sentence of sin is carried out.  Imagine the difference in the O. J. Simpson trial if Judge Lance Ito could have entered the courtroom and could have said, “I saw it all!” Well, one day God can and will say that! There will be no hiding in that day. The Bible says in Revelation 20:11-15 “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” God see the sinner who has not believed and received Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord and had their sins forgiven and cleansed by His sacrificial blood that was shed on the cross at Calvary. The best thing any person can do is turn to Jesus for salvation as possible because life is not certain but death is and then comes the judgment.

 

CONCLUSION

 

Thank God that He sees all! It may be that Satan or others have been telling you that God is not seeing what you are going through. Satan is a liar. God sees and God cares. Do you need to talk to Him about some things? Maybe you need to come and acknowledge His watch care. Maybe you need to just bow and thank Him that He is The God Who Sees Everything.

 

DO YOU NEED SOME HELP?

To find more help in receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Savior please go to the Bible Study Title Page “ETERNAL LIFE.” Please send me an email and let me know about any decision for Christ you make so that I may pray for you. Feel free to send me any questions, comments, or responses you may have as well. For those who are already Christians I invite you to also please let me know of any decisions you make in your Christian life for Jesus. Please send me your questions, comments, or responses and let me know if the Bible Studies are helping you.

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ALWAYS REMEMBER!

The support of your local Church ministry and the ministry of your Pastor should be the first priority of your Christian life and your service to the Lord. Be faithful to prayerfully prepare and attend Sunday School and Worship Service this Sunday and participate in worship as your Pastor preaches the Word. Do not forget to give the Lord at least your TITHE through your local church from your gross income – that is your first fruits. Any other other giving is an offering to a ministry unto the Lord. Honor the Lord in all you do and with all that you have. Always remember that everything you have and all you are belongs to the Lord. It is on loan to you – so manage it well! There will be an audit one day! Make sure the Books Balance!

 

All Bible Studies Are Prepared by Pastor Frank Denning And May Be Be Used By Permission.