And God Knew

Posted on January 16, 2017 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

…and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew. Exodus 2:23-25
Back story:
In Genesis, when the famine was great, Jacob moved his family (70+) from Canaan to Egypt where his favored son, Joseph, was a prominent leader and had resources to provide food and land to keep their flocks.
Fast forward: Jacob was dead (Genesis 49:33). Joseph and his brothers were dead (Ex. 1:6). The Pharaoh that had so trusted and shown favor to Joseph was gone.  A new pharaoh came to power (how long after is not clear) who did not know Joseph (Ex. 1:8). The people of Israel multiplied greatly and were exceedingly strong (Ex 1:7).  The new king feared them and put them into slavery (Ex. 1:9-14)
Four hundred plus years later…
…and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.
The people cried out for help to be rescued from slavery.
God heard their groaning (God hears the cries of His people).
God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (God knows and keeps His promises. This does not mean he forgot and then remembered but rather “…that he is about to take action for that person’s welfare”[i]).
God saw the people of Israel (God always has His eyes on His people).
God knew.
God knew.  When I read this, “God knew,” I stopped in my tracks.  God knew.  I believe this two word phrase speaks of His constant awareness of Israel.  Their bondage and suffering. Their trials and cries.  God knew. There was not a single instant that He forgot His people or that He was distracted from their plight. God knew. God heard. God remembered[ii]. God saw. God knew.
It would be puzzling if we stop reading there but the very next line is Ex 3:1 which brings Moses to the forefront. God knew and was about to take action on behalf of Israel; Moses was His chosen man to deliver His people out of Egypt (Ex 3:10).
Do you find yourself in the midst of a trial that seems to have no end, no escape, and no answers?
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is your God.
He hears your cries and pleas for help and rescue. You are crying out to Him in earnest, right?
God remembers His promises to you.  Do you?  Rehearse His promises and thank Him for keeping every one of them.
He sees you. God always has His eyes on you. You are always on His Mind and Heart (speaking in human terms).
God knows.   God knows your trial.  God knows your suffering. God knows your grief. God knows your fears.  God knows YOU.
May the very next line in YOUR story be the one of deliverance from or through your trial.
Blessings,
Diane
[i] ESV Study Bible. Note Gen 8:1 Pg. 64
[ii] ibid
After serving 16 years full-time on the staff of America’s Keswick, Diane Hunt and her husband moved to North Carolina where she continues to serve part-time as a contributing writer and Partner Care Consultant.  She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.