Applying Biblical Examples to Demonstrate God's Attributes

The Bible consistently presents God's attributes through narratives, poetic expressions, and direct statements, offering numerous examples that demonstrate His character. The very name "God" (Hebrew: 'El, 'Eloah, 'Elohim) signifies strength and the Divine Being ^[1].

One of God's most frequently highlighted attributes is His power. The psalmist declares, "God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God" (Psalm 62:11) ^[4]. This power is vividly expressed through His voice, as seen in Psalm 29, where the "voice of the LORD" breaks cedars and shakes the wilderness ^{[4, 14]}. Other biblical imagery for God's power includes His "finger" (Exodus 8:19), "hand" (Exodus 9:3), and "arm" (Job 40:9) ^[4]. This power is described as great, strong, glorious, mighty, everlasting, sovereign, effectual, irresistible, and incomparable ^[4]. For instance, God's power was demonstrated in giving Israel the heritage of the heathen in Canaan, showing what He can do and that nothing is too hard for Him ^[12]. The prophet Joel speaks of God showing "wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood, fire, and pillars of smoke" (Joel 2:30), further illustrating His mighty dominion ^[6].

God's goodness is another attribute frequently demonstrated. Matthew Henry notes that God's glory, which is His goodness to humanity, is evident in creation and even more so in divine revelation ^{[7, 8]}. The "works of creation" lead to an admiration of God's condescending favor toward humanity ^[15]. The Scriptures, referred to as "testimonies," are described as "wonderful" because they reveal God's admirable love and grace, the majesty of His style, the purity of their content, and the harmony of their parts ^{[11, 13]}.

God's compassion and faithfulness are also evident in how He interacts with humanity, particularly through afflictions. The Bible shows that afflictions can promote God's glory, exhibit His power and faithfulness, teach His will, and turn people back to Him ^[3]. They can prevent further departure from God, lead to prayer, and bring conviction of sin ^[3]. For example, the suffering of Job or the nation of Israel often served to highlight God's steadfastness and redemptive purposes ^[3].

Humility is an attribute that God regards highly and is exemplified by Christ Himself (Matthew 11:29; John 13:14-15; Philippians 2:5-8) ^[2]. God regards the humble (Psalm 138:6), hears them (Psalm 9:12), enjoys their presence (Isaiah 57:15), delivers them (Job 22:29), and exalts them (Luke 14:11) ^[2]. Similarly, liberality is pleasing to God, and He never forgets it (Hebrews 13:16, 6:10) ^[5]. Christ also set an example of liberality (2 Corinthians 8:9), and saints are characterized by it (Psalm 112:9) ^[5]. This liberality should be exercised in service to God, toward other saints, servants, the poor, strangers, enemies, and all people ^[5].

The superiority of Christ, as God's Son, is demonstrated through Old Testament prophecies and His exaltation. The author of Hebrews strings together Old Testament texts, such as Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14, to show Jesus' superiority to angels, emphasizing that the Father proclaimed Christ's unique status by exalting Him to His right hand ^[9]. This demonstrates God's sovereign plan and the divine nature of Christ. Even angels, as Calvin notes, tremble before the majesty of God and serve Him ^[10].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: God — (A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew 'El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of 'Eloah_, plural _'Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by "LORD," printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argume”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- Ps 62:11. Expressed by the Voice of God. -- Ps 29:3,5; 68:33. Finger of God. -- Ex 8:19; Ps 8:3. Hand of God. -- Ex 9:3,15; Isa 48:13. Arm of God. -- Job 40:9; Isa 52:10. Thunder of his power. -- Job 26:14. Described as Great. -- Ps 79:11; Na 1:3. Strong. -- Ps 89:13; 136:12. Glorious. -- Ex 15:6; Isa 63:12. Mighty. -- Job 9:4; Ps 89:13. Everlasting. -- Isa 26:4; Ro 1:20. Sovereign. -- Ro 9:21. Effectual. -- Isa 43:13; Eph 3:7. Irresistible. -- De 32:39; Da 4:35. Incomparable. -- Ex 15:11,12; De 3:24; Job 40:9; Ps 89:8.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
Joel “I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood, fire, and pillars of smoke. -- Joel 2:30”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 8 (introduction): This psalm is a solemn meditation on, and admiration of, the glory and greatness of God, of which we are all concerned to think highly and honourably. It begins and ends with the same acknowledgment of the transcendent excellency of God's name. It is proposed for proof (Psa 8:1) that God's name is excellent in all the earth, and then it is repeated as proved (with a "quod erat demonstrandum" - which was to be demonstrated) in the last verse. For the proof of God's glory the psalmist gives instances of his goodness to man; for God's goodness is his glor”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 19:7: God's glory, (that is, his goodness to man) appears much in the works of creation, but much more in and by divine revelation. The holy scripture, as it is a rule both of our duty to God and of our expectation from him, is of much greater use and benefit to us than day or night, than the air we breathe in, or the light of the sun. The discoveries made of God by his works might have served if man had retained his integrity; but, to recover him out of his fallen state, another course must be taken; that must be done by the word of God. And here, 1. The psalmist gives”
Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 1:5: 1:5-14 In these ten verses, the author uses a variety of Old Testament texts to show that Jesus is superior to the angels. Among ancient Jewish and Christian interpreters, Old Testament passages were strung together one after the other in “chain quotations” (called “pearl stringing”) to convince the hearers or readers of a certain theological point by presenting a lot of scriptural evidence together. 1:5 God . . . said: This verse quotes Ps 2:7 and 2 Sam 7:14. By exalting Jesus to his right hand (see Acts 1:9-11; 2:32-36; 7:55-56), the Father proclaimed his unique”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 12.9: he had not been previously confirmed. The people also, being warned by this vision how great and how dreadful was the majesty of God, by whom this condemnation was pronounced, had good reason for being alarmed. He who now came forth to public view is God, at the sight of whom the very angels tremble, whose praises they continually and loudly utter, and whom, in a word, they serve and obey; but men, whom he had been pleased to adopt as his children, obstinately and rebelliously opposed him. Now, when we are informed that the angels are employe”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:125: PE.--The Seventeenth Part. PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful,.... The Scriptures, which testify of God, his mind and will, are wonderful both with respect to the author of them, the things contained in them, and the use and advantage of them. They give an account of the wonderful works of creation; of their author and matter; of the manner, order, and time of their being wrought: they relate many wonderful events of Providence, both in a way of mercy and judgment; they declare several surprising miracles, wrought by Moses and others, and exhibit many marvellous t”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 111:6: We are here taught to give glory to God, I. For the great things he has done for his people, for his people Israel, of old and of late: He has shown his people the power of his works (Psa 111:6), in what he has wrought for them; many a time he has given proofs of his omnipotence, and shown them what he can do, and that there is nothing too hard for him to do. Two things are specified to show the power of his works: - 1. The possession God gave to Israel in the land of Canaan, that he might give them, or in giving them, the heritage of the heathen. This he did in ”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:129: See here how David was affected towards the word of God. 1. He admired it, as most excellent in itself: Thy testimonies are wonderful. The word of God gives us admirable discoveries of God, and Christ, and another world; admirable proofs of divine love and grace. The majesty of the style, the purity of the matter, the harmony of the parts, are all wonderful. Its effects upon the consciences of men, both for conviction and comfort, are wonderful; and it is a sign that we are not acquainted with God's testimonies, or do not understand them, if we do not admire th”
Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 29 (introduction): Trust in God is encouraged by the celebration of His mighty power as illustrated in His dominion over the natural world, in some of its most terrible and wonderful exhibitions. (Psa 29:1-11) Give--or, "ascribe" (Deu 32:3). mighty--or, "sons of the mighty" (Psa 89:6). Heavenly beings, as angels.”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 8:3: David here goes on to magnify the honour of God by recounting the honours he has put upon man, especially the man Christ Jesus. The condescensions of the divine grace call for our praises as much as the elevations of the divine glory. How God has condescended in favour to man the psalmist here observes with wonder and thankfulness, and recommends it to our thoughts. See here, I. What it is that leads him to admire the condescending favour of God to man; it is his consideration of the lustre and influence of the heavenly bodies, which are within the view of sense (P”

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