What is the meaning of Jeremiah 23:23? Am I only a God nearby Jeremiah is confronting false prophets who act as though God sees only what is done in public view. With this opening question the Lord reminds His people that He is intimately present. • He is “near to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). • Paul echoes this nearness: “He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27). • Because God is close, every word, motive, and action matters. Nothing slips past His notice (Hebrews 4:13). The verse invites believers to live transparently, enjoying the comfort of His closeness while rejecting the illusion that secret sin is harmless. declares the LORD This phrase underlines absolute authority. God Himself speaks; the message is not Jeremiah’s opinion. • When the Lord “declares,” the matter is settled (Isaiah 55:11). • “The word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8), in contrast to the shifting claims of counterfeit prophets (Jeremiah 23:16–17). • Jesus affirmed the same permanence: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Recognizing divine authorship presses us to receive this statement with humility and obedience. and not a God far away? The question expands the earlier thought. God is not only close; He also transcends every boundary. • “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” (Jeremiah 23:24) answers the question emphatically. • David marvels, “Where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psalm 139:7–10). • The Lord’s throne is in the highest heaven, yet earth is His footstool (Isaiah 66:1). This dual truth—immanence and transcendence—means: - No one can hide sin from Him, including the prophets He is rebuking. - Every nation and individual is under His jurisdiction; His reach extends beyond Israel’s borders. - For believers, it assures that His power and protection are unlimited; He is both present in our struggles and sovereign over the universe. summary Jeremiah 23:23 refutes any notion that God’s sight is limited. By asking, “Am I only a God nearby … and not a God far away?” the Lord affirms that He is simultaneously close enough to know every thought and vast enough to rule all creation. This brings sobering accountability to the deceptive and sweet assurance to the faithful: wherever we are, God sees, hears, and cares. |
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