2 August Exodus 2

God saw the people of Israel — and God knew

Exodus 2:23-25 (AMP) “Now it happened after a long time that the king of Egypt died. And the children of Israel (Jacob) groaned and sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out. And their cry for help because of their bondage ascended to God. 24 So God heard their groaning and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel). 25 God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice and was concerned about them ”.

Life had become bitter for the Israelites, and they had begun to cry out for help. Their cry for help went up to God, and he heard their groaning. And then he remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

God saw the people of Israel. Even in that phrase, God was not distant from them in their suffering. God was intimately aware of what they were going through. This verse says, “God took notice.” Is that not powerful? God took not only notice of them but was also concerned about them. God hears our groaning and is faithful to his promises to preserve, uphold, love, comfort, give us peace, and ultimately bring us through. God sees us, and God knows.

IThe New Living Translation says in Exodus 2:25 “He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act”. God knew, and he was preparing to act in a way that would leave a permanent, indelible imprint upon people's collective memory. The reality expressed in the words “God knows” is a well of profound comfort and peace for us in our afflictions.

Exodus 3:7 (NLT) “Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering”. In your affliction, cry out to God for help. He hears. And when the time is right, God will answer you. For God sees you , and he knows.

I conclude with Ephesians 3:19 (NLT) May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.