How does Jeremiah 11:18 connect to God's omniscience in Psalm 139? Opening the Texts • Jeremiah 11:18: “The LORD informed me, so I knew. Then You showed me their deeds.” “O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD.” Shared Theme: God Knows Everything • Both passages center on divine knowledge. • Jeremiah experiences it in a specific moment—God exposes a hidden plot. • David celebrates it as a sweeping, permanent reality—God already knows every detail of his life. What Jeremiah 11:18 Adds to Our Understanding • Omniscience is practical: God not only possesses all knowledge; He shares exactly what His servant needs, when he needs it. • Omniscience is protective: By revealing the conspiracy, the LORD shields Jeremiah (vv. 19-21). • Omniscience is personal: “The LORD informed me”—God speaks directly; knowledge is relational, not merely abstract. What Psalm 139 Emphasizes • Omniscience is exhaustive: every action, thought, word, and location lie open before God (vv. 1-12). • Omniscience is inescapable: wherever David goes—heaven, Sheol, the far side of the sea—God is already there with full awareness (vv. 7-10). • Omniscience is loving: God’s intimate knowledge of David weaves into his creation in the womb (vv. 13-16). Threading the Needle Between the Texts • Jeremiah’s single incident illustrates the larger reality David describes: the LORD inherently knows every plot, plan, and motive. • Just as David says, “Even before a word is on my tongue, You know,” God knew the conspirators’ words before they spoke them—and chose to reveal them to Jeremiah at the decisive moment. • Jeremiah’s experience proves that Psalm 139 is not mere poetry; it is lived history. God’s unlimited knowledge moves into time-bound events to direct, warn, and deliver. Supporting Passages • 1 Samuel 2:3—“For the LORD is a God of knowledge.” • Hebrews 4:13—“No creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” • John 2:24-25—Jesus “knew all men…for He knew what was in each person.” Life Application • Trust: The same God who knew Jeremiah’s danger and David’s every thought knows yours—nothing surprises Him (Matthew 6:8). • Petition: Because He already knows, prayer becomes honest fellowship rather than informing God (Philippians 4:6-7). • Obedience: Hidden motives are seen by God; integrity matters (Proverbs 5:21). • Comfort: God’s perfect knowledge means perfect guidance; seek His wisdom when facing the unknown (James 1:5). |
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