Ezekiel 22:29-31, "...I searched for a man who should build up the wall..."

by Matt Slick

"“The people of the land have practiced oppression and committed robbery, and they have wronged the poor and needy and have oppressed the sojourner without justice. ³⁰“And I searched for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. ³¹“Thus I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; their way I have brought upon their heads,” declares the Lord God," (Ezek. 22:29-31).

Open theism teaches that God knows all the present exhaustively, including the hearts of all people.  If this is so, then why would God have to search for someone who would build the wall?  Wouldn't God simply know who would do it?  Of course He would.  Therefore, this verse isn't speaking about God not knowing something.  God doesn't have to search what He already knows in the present exhaustively.  Instead, God is simply speaking in human terms about justifying His wrath upon the people.