The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people" - Ex. 3:7a, NIV 84
Not really just 'seen', but 'indeed seen' or, as it is rendered in the ESV, KJV, NASB and AMP, 'I have surely seen'. Mr. Zodhiates shows a verb construction that includes an affirmative complement to the verb, an almost redundant emphasis.
The verb rendered 'have seen' is Strongs' 7200, ra'ah. This particular tense is rendered as to see, perceive, have a vision, look at, regard, look after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out, consider, give attention to, discern, distinguish, gaze at. Not a casual glance, but a true comprehension. Emphasized. God not only saw, He understood.
And what is it that He truly saw?
The Hebrew word is 'oniy (Strong's 6040), which is rendered as affliction, poverty or misery.
Affliction - 1) a state of pain distress or grief ; 2) a cause of continued mental or bodily pain
Poverty - 1) the state or condition of having little or no money, goods, or means of support; condition of being poor, indigence; 2) lack of something specified 3)deficiency of desirable ingredients, qualities, etc. 4) scantiness; insufficiency
Misery - 1) wretchedness of condition or circumstances 2) distress caused by need, privation or poverty 3) great distress of mind; extreme unhappiness 4) a cause or sources of distress; 5) pain
(definitions from the Random House Collegiate Dictionary)
All of which applied to the Israelites in Egypt...and, also, by and large, to the Israelites under the Roman rule, paying taxes to the Romans, being subjected to their rule, having little national autonomy.
In this Advent season, maybe you need a reminder that God has surely seen your misery, affliction, and poverty. And, just as the Israelites looked forward to the deliverance of God, Advent is our season to anticipate His deliverance in our own lives.
Because, know this: God has indeed seen.
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