Topical Bible: The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in Knowing: The Works of the Wicked

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The wisdom of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, manifesting in His omniscience and perfect understanding of all creation, including the deeds of the wicked. God's knowledge is not limited by time or space, and His awareness of human actions, thoughts, and intentions is complete and unerring. This divine attribute underscores His justice, sovereignty, and the ultimate accountability of all individuals before Him.

God's Omniscience and the Wicked

The Bible affirms that God's knowledge encompasses all things, including the secret and overt actions of the wicked. In Proverbs 15:3, it is written, "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good." This verse highlights God's all-seeing nature, ensuring that no act of wickedness escapes His notice. His omniscience serves as a deterrent to evil, reminding humanity that all deeds are laid bare before Him.

Divine Awareness of Human Intentions

God's wisdom extends beyond mere observation of actions to the discernment of human intentions and thoughts. In Jeremiah 17:10, the Lord declares, "I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve." This passage emphasizes that God's knowledge penetrates the deepest recesses of the human heart, understanding motivations and intentions that may be hidden from others.

Judgment and Accountability

The wisdom of God in knowing the works of the wicked is closely tied to His role as the righteous judge. Ecclesiastes 12:14 states, "For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil." This assurance of divine judgment underscores the accountability of all individuals, as God's perfect knowledge ensures that justice is administered fairly and without partiality.

Examples of God's Knowledge of Wickedness

Throughout Scripture, there are numerous examples of God's awareness of wickedness and His response to it. In Genesis 6:5, prior to the flood, it is recorded, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time." God's knowledge of humanity's pervasive wickedness led to His decision to cleanse the earth through the flood, demonstrating His commitment to righteousness.

Similarly, in the account of Sodom and Gomorrah, God reveals His awareness of the cities' grievous sins. In Genesis 18:20-21, the Lord says, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Their sin is so grievous that I will go down and see if their actions fully justify the outcry that has reached Me. If not, I will know." This passage illustrates God's intimate knowledge of human affairs and His active engagement in addressing wickedness.

God's Patience and Desire for Repentance

While God's wisdom ensures that He is fully aware of the works of the wicked, His character is also marked by patience and a desire for repentance. In 2 Peter 3:9, it is written, "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance." This verse reveals that God's knowledge of wickedness is tempered by His mercy and longing for individuals to turn from their sinful ways.

Conclusion

The wisdom of God, as exhibited in His knowledge of the works of the wicked, is a profound testament to His omniscience, justice, and mercy. His awareness of all human actions and intentions ensures that justice will ultimately prevail, while His patience offers the opportunity for repentance and redemption.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 66:18
For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Sovereignty of God in Salvation
... The wind is regulated by Divine wisdom, yet, so far ... Its condemnation is exhibited
by the Father's exaltation of ... When God's time comes for the Spirit to depart ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter four the sovereignty of.htm

Letter x. --For 338. Coss. Ursus and Polemius; Pr??f. The Same ...
... of God, as Solomon testifies concerning Wisdom, that being ... but we should the more
please God through these ... Or how shall magnanimity be exhibited, unless after ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter x for 338 coss ursus.htm

This HomilyWas Delivered in the Old Church of Antioch
... lover of man; now, he was a lover of Wisdom. ... On this account Paul gave God thanks
in all ... was himself thereby rendered more approved, he exhibited his exceeding ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily i this homily was.htm

In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ...
... of the inestimable wisdom, power, justice, and goodness of God, in the ... while we
contemplate the immense treasures of wisdom and goodness exhibited in the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 in the creation.htm

Translated from the Greek.
... of the words of the writings themselves, and of the things which are exhibited in
them ... series, with a power which is truly in keeping with the wisdom of God. ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from the greek.htm

The Object of Theology
... inscrutable is this mystery; yet it is exhibited in Christ ... which is the true and
only wisdom in relation ... name, with these heavenly beings, and that God will in ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration i the object of.htm

Of Justification by Faith. Both the Name and the Reality Defined.
... him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and righteousness ... not that that which was
openly exhibited to us ... the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 of justification by.htm

section second.
... abasement in the human servant-form, in its full extent as exhibited above. ... sever
at once the thread of development ordained by the wisdom of God, and alone ...
/.../the epistle of paul to the philippians practically explained/section second.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... If you call me wicked for following your example, what ... this other man' says, who
proclaims the justice of God. ... which are to be found in these works of yours ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

Of Civil Government.
... under that as the best form, until he exhibited an image ... come when he was fully to
manifest his wisdom to the ... they were directed by the hand of God, as seemed ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm