Illustrations of God's Character in Scripture and Their Significance
The Bible illustrates God's character through various attributes and actions, often employing vivid imagery and metaphors to convey His nature. A central aspect of God's character is His glory, which is exhibited in Christ (John 1:14; 2 Cor 4:6; Heb 1:3), in His name (Deut 28:58), His majesty (Ps 93:1), His power (Exod 15:1), and His works (Ps 19:1) [1]. The heavens, for instance, are said to declare the glory of God, showcasing His handiwork [6]. This glory is described as great, eternal, rich, and highly exalted [1].
God's holiness is another fundamental characteristic, serving as the standard for human holiness (Lev 19:2; 1 Pet 1:15-16) [5]. The glory of the Lord tangibly expresses His power and majesty, as seen in Ezekiel's vision (Ezek 1:28) and at the dedication of the Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple (Exod 40:34-35; 1 Kgs 8:11) [9]. Ezekiel's vision describes a figure on the throne resembling a man, revealing God's overpoweringly radiant glory, which foreshadows God's coming to earth as a man in Jesus Christ [7, 8].
The character of Christ Himself further illustrates God's nature. Christ is presented as the image of God (Col 1:15; Heb 1:3) and the one who manifested God's glory to the world (John 1:14) [3, 9]. His excellency and glory are seen in His divine nature, His sonship, His unity with the Father, and His roles as Creator, Mediator, Prophet, Priest, King, and Judge [3].
Beyond these majestic attributes, Scripture also portrays God's emotional character, such as His joy over His people. This joy is described as great (Zeph 3:17) and is evident in response to their repentance (Luke 15:7, 10), faith (Heb 11:5-6), fear of Him (Ps 147:11), and uprightness (1 Chron 29:17) [2]. God's delight in His people leads Him to prosper them, do them good, deliver them, and comfort them [2].
Humility is also presented as a characteristic that God regards highly. God regards the humble (Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2), hears them (Ps 9:12), and enjoys their presence (Isa 57:15) [4]. Christ serves as the ultimate example of humility (Matt 11:29; Phil 2:5-8) [4]. The Bible emphasizes that holiness is commanded (Lev 11:45) and is necessary for worship and for seeing God (Ps 24:3-4; Heb 12:14) [5]. The character of God, and subsequently Christ, serves as the standard for this holiness [5].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glory of God, The — Exhibited in Christ -- Joh 1:14; 2Co 4:6; Heb 1:3. Exhibited in His name. -- De 28:58; Ne 9:5. His majesty. -- Job 37:22; Ps 93:1; 104:1; 145:5,12; Isa 2:10. His power. -- Ex 15:1,6; Ro 6:4. His works. -- Ps 19:1; 111:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11. Described as Great. -- Ps 138:5. Eternal. -- Ps 104:31. Rich. -- Eph 3:16. Highly exalted. -- Ps 8:1; 113:4. Exhibited to Moses. -- Ex 34:5-7; 33:18-23. Stephen. -- Ac 7:55. His Church. -- De 5:24; Ps 102:16. Enlightens the Church -- Isa 60:1,2; Re 21:11,23. Saints desire to behold -- Ps 63:2; 90:16. God”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Joy of God Over His People, The — Greatness of, described -- Zep 3:17. On account of their Repentance. -- Lu 15:7,10. Faith. -- Heb 11:5,6. Fear of him. -- Ps 147:11. Praying to him. -- Pr 15:8. Hope in his mercy. -- Ps 147:11. Meekness. -- Ps 149:4. Uprightness. -- 1Ch 29:17; Pr 11:20. Leads to him Prosper them. -- De 30:9. Do them good. -- De 28:63; Jer 32:41. Deliver them. -- 2Sa 22:20. Comfort them. -- Isa 65:19. Give them the inheritance. -- Nu 14:8. Illustrated -- Isa 62:5; Lu 15:23,24. Exemplified Solomon. -- 1Ki 10:9.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
- 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: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- Psalms “The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. -- Psalms 19:1”
- Ezekiel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezekiel 1:26: 1:26-27 On the throne of God was a figure whose appearance resembled a man. Ezekiel’s ability to describe the scene was overwhelmed by the magnificence of the sight. This human form revealed the Lord’s overpoweringly radiant glory that had once filled the Tabernacle and the Temple as a visible manifestation of God’s presence (cp. Dan 7:9-10; Rev 1:12-17). While God’s awesome presence in human form comforts his faithful people, it signifies inevitable judgment for those who are disobeying him. This vision presages God’s coming to earth as a man in Jesus Christ.”
- Ezek (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezek 1:26: 1:26-27 On the throne of God was a figure whose appearance resembled a man. Ezekiel’s ability to describe the scene was overwhelmed by the magnificence of the sight. This human form revealed the Lord’s overpoweringly radiant glory that had once filled the Tabernacle and the Temple as a visible manifestation of God’s presence (cp. Dan 7:9-10; Rev 1:12-17). While God’s awesome presence in human form comforts his faithful people, it signifies inevitable judgment for those who are disobeying him. This vision presages God’s coming to earth as a man in Jesus Christ.”
- Leviticus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Leviticus 9:6: 9:6 Just as holiness describes God’s person and nature, the glory of the Lord tangibly expresses his power and majesty (see Ezek 1:28; 10:4). His glory was revealed on Mount Sinai (Exod 24:16), at the dedication of the Tabernacle (Exod 40:34-35), and in Solomon’s Temple (1 Kgs 8:11; 2 Chr 7:1). Yet it remained as vast as the heavens (Ps 19:1). The New Testament speaks of Christ’s glory as the image of God (2 Cor 4:4), who manifested God’s glory to the world (John 1:14). He was glorified in his death and resurrection (John 17:1-5). See also Exod 24:15-17.”