There are many things that might cause us to want to hide from God.  We might be ashamed of some sin or transgression.  Or, we might effectively hide from God due to pride and an unwillingness to acknowledge His authority and sovereignty.

how Scripture answers "Is it possible to hide from God?"

It is not possible to hide from God1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8. God is omniscient1,3,5,7,8 and omnipresent1,2,6,8, knowing not just our outward actions6 but the thoughts and intents of our mind7. We are all accountable to Him3,4.

the answer above is based on and footnoted with the following Scripture Blocks
1

Genesis 3:8

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

And they [Adam and Eve] heard God walking in the garden during the cool of the day and hid from His presence among the trees.

The creation account and specifically Eve’s temptation by Satan and her and Adam’s sin in eating from the tree of Knowledge and Good and Evil.

How does it inform?

Adam and Eve attempted to hide from God in the aftermath of their sin, but God knew they were hiding (vs 9).

Does it apply? Yes

2

Jeremiah 23:23-24

Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.

Are I not a God that’s near and not far away? A man cannot hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him, for I fill heaven and earth, declares the Lord.

God, through Jeremiah, is speaking out against the religious leadership in Judah.  In the midst of this condemnation of the “shepherds who destroy and scatter my sheep” (vs 1), there is a preview to the “latter days” when Jesus will rule as king faithfully (vss 5-8).  But in the meantime, God condemns the many false prophets and even the priests (vs 33).

How does it inform?

God is everywhere and sees all.

Does it apply? Yes

3

Hebrews 4:13

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Nothing is hidden from God.  All are naked and exposed to the God to whom we will all give account.

The writer is arguing the better things in Christ and encouraging the Hebrews to “strive to enter that rest” (vs 11), unlike those of their heritage that died in the wilderness due to their disobedience.

How does it inform?

We are all accountable to God who knows/sees all.

Does it apply? Yes

4

Amos 9:3

If they hide themselves on the top of Carmel, from there I will search them out and take them; and if they hide from my sight at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent, and it shall bite them.

If anyone attempts to hide on top of Mt Carmel or at the bottom of the ocean, there I [God] will find them and command the serpent to bite them.

The close of the prophet Amos’ book where he sees God, standing on the altar (vs 1), speaking of the judgement for Israel and, in particular, their inability to escape from it.  He says that “all the sinners of my people shall die by the sword” even though some deny it will happen (vs 10).

At the close of the chapter/book (vss 11-15), we see God’s promise of a time “in that day” (vs 11) when a remnant will be saved and restored as in the “days of old” (vs 11).  A portion of this is quoted by the Apostle James in

Acts 15:15-18
, applying it to first-century fulfillment and the inclusion of the Gentiles in the gospel message.

How does it inform?

Nobody can escape God’s judgement.

Does it apply? Yes

5

Isaiah 29:15-16

Ah, you who hide deep from the Lord your counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, Who sees us? Who knows us? You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, He did not make me; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, He has no understanding?

Oh you who hide your understanding and actions from God and think that He doesn’t see! You have it all wrong. The potter isn’t the clay.  The thing that is made does not deny its maker or say that he is not wise.

God, through the prophet Isaiah, is speaking of the judgement that is coming against Judah for their disobedience.  Their stubbornness and pride has led God to close the eyes of the prophets/seers (vs 10) – like giving a book to someone that cannot read and asking them to read it (vs 11).

Verse 13 is quoted by Jesus (

Matthew 15:7-9
), applying it to the Pharisees’ heardness of heart and verse 14 is qutoed by Paul (
1 Corinthians 1:18-19
) applying it to the reaction of the so-called “wise” to the gospel message. 

How does it inform?

The created cannot dictate (or hide from) the creator.

Does it apply? Yes

6

Psalms 69:5

O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.

O God, you know my foolishness and my sins are not hidden from you.

A song of David for salvation by God.
How does it inform?

We cannot hide from God.

Does it apply? Yes

7

Psalms 44:20-21

If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart.

Whether we refuse to worship God or worship something else, God knows the intents of our heart/mind.

A song attributed to the sons of Korah asking God for his help.

How does it inform?

God knows our heart/mind.

Does it apply? Yes

8

2 Chronicles 16:9

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.

God sees throughout the whole earth in order to support those that have a blameless heart of obedience to Him.  You [King Asa] have acted foolishly in this matter [partnering with Syria] and as a result, you will be at war.

King Asa of Judah is being confronted by the prophet Hanani because the king relied on Syria politically (vs 7).
How does it inform?

God sees all.

Does it apply? Yes

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