Can We Embarrass God?

Q. I would like to know … can we embarrass God?  Several times in Nehemiah’s prayer to God he refers to the fact that the Jews are God’s special people.  They’re His “children,” His “servants,” and those for whom God made a dwelling place with His name on it.  Yet these children of God acted corruptly and totally disregarded God’s commands and promises.  Was God embarrassed about giving them His name?  And likewise, can we embarrass God?

May God continue to bless you as you bless us with your wisdom and knowledge of His Holy Word.

A. Since God knows everything we’re going to do it before the fact, we can’t surprise Him with our behavior, and surprise is an element of embarrassment. But since He does express feelings I think He can share in our embarrassment, or in other words to be embarrassed for us. But when He is He knows it’s not us but the sin that dwells within us, (Romans 7:20) so it doesn’t change the way He sees us.