The omniscience of God.
"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest," etc.
I. THE UNIVERSALITY OF GOD'S KNOWLEDGE, "There is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things," etc. All created things, high and low, great and small, visible and invisible, are comprehended in this word "creature." "His understanding is infinite." Nothing is too great for his comprehension; nothing too small for his notice (Psalms 1:1-6:11); nothing too hidden for his penetration (Psalms 139:11, Psalms 139:12).
II. THE MINUTENESS AND EXHAUSTIVENESS OF GOD'S KNOWLEDGE. "All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him," etc.
1. He sees all things as they really are. "All things are naked unto" his eyes. He beholds them without any covering or disguise. Things and persons are cloaked, concealed, and made to appear other than they are amongst men; but none of these things can impose upon him.
2. He sees all things thoroughly, completely. "All things are naked and opened unto," etc; Revised Version, "laid open before the eyes," etc. The word rendered "opened" is a difficult one. Alford adopts the meaning "to lay prostrate." He says, "This is the simplest and most frequent sense in the classical writers. I regard the word as signifying entire prostration and subjugation under the eye of God; not only naked, stripped of all covering and concealment, but also laid prostrate in their exposure before his eye." He translates, "lying open unto." Ebrard adopts the interpretation, "to bend any one's neck backwards, and thereby to lay bare the throat; hence in general, to lay bare." Others interpret it to lay open, as a body, by an anatomist, or as an animal by a sacrificing priest. But whatever may be the exact figure, the meaning conveyed by the figure is quite clear, viz. that God knows all things thoroughly (cf. Job 31:4; Job 34:21; Psalms 56:8; Psalms 139:1-5; Proverbs 5:21; Proverbs 15:11; Jeremiah 17:10).
III. THE SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPORTANCE OF GOD'S KNOWLEDGE TO MAN. He is the God "with whom we have to do." Not "unto whom we must render our account." The clause expresses a more comprehensive relation than that. It expresses "our whole concern and relation with God." The Divine omniscience has very important practical bearings upon us.
1. As an effectual rebuke to the pride which springs from knowledge or from intellectual attainments. Compared with the knowledge of "him with whom we have to do," what does the most intelligent man know? "We are but of yesterday, and know nothing."
2. As a check upon sin, whether in thought and feeling, or in word and action. (See Job 34:21, Job 34:22; Psalms 90:8; Ecclesiastes 12:14)
3. As an encouragement to trust in him. (See 2 Chronicles 16:9; Matthew 6:32; Matthew 10:29-31)
4. As a great consolation when misinterpreted or slandered. (See Job 16:19; Job 23:1-17. 10; Psalms 37:5, Psalms 37:6)
5. As a great comfort and support in affliction and trial. (See Psalms 78:39; Psalms 103:13, Psalms 103:14) 6. As a guarantee of the triumph of his cause. His plans were formed with a full knowledge of every possible obstacle or opposition; and they anticipate and provide for the utilization of such opposition for their own furtherance and realization.—W.J.