Is it possible to hide from God?

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 God^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8}. God is omniscient^1,3,5,7,8 and omnipresent^1,2,6,8, knowing not just our outward actions⁶ but the thoughts and intents of our mind⁷. We are all accountable to Him^3,4.

Answer built on scripture-blocks below

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.

What does it say?

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.

What is the context?

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 apply here?

God is everywhere and sees all.

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.

What does it say?

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.

What is the context?

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

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

How does it apply here?

Nobody can escape God’s judgment.

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?

What does it say?

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.

What is the context?

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 (

), applying it to the Pharisees’ heardness of heart and verse 14 is qutoed by Paul (

) applying it to the reaction of the so-called “wise” to the gospel message.

How does it apply here?

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

end of scripture-blocks; go back to the answer

Leave your comment below…

…and if you’re wondering more about what we’re doing and why, here are some links we hope can help explain it (and maybe even get you excited about contributing):

the Bible Study Framework and the scripture-blocks that build answers from scripture
our format and the anatomy of a question
our mission and the Bible study standard that we follow
our top four obstacles to letting scripture interpret scripture

what do you think?

connect with us

related to 'Is it possible to hide from God?'

lend your own study to the discussion

PUBLIC COMMENT POLICY: While your email is required, it will not be posted publically.
All comments are vetted for potential spam before being published, but will not be restricted otherwise.

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

Genesis 3:8

What does it say?

What is the context?

Jeremiah 23:23-24

What does it say?

What is the context?

Hebrews 4:13

What does it say?

What is the context?

Amos 9:3

What does it say?

What is the context?

Isaiah 29:15-16

What does it say?

What is the context?

Psalms 69:5

What does it say?

What is the context?

Psalms 44:20-21

What does it say?

What is the context?

2 Chronicles 16:9

What does it say?

What is the context?

Leave your comment below…

what do you think?

related to 'Is it possible to hide from God?'

lend your own study to the discussion

Who is the man of lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:3)?

Is God active among nations today?

Is Christmas a religious holiday?

we’re really sorry about that…

that’s great to hear, THANK YOU!

Interested in a conversation on this question?