Understanding God's Character and Our Response in Scripture

The character of God is foundational to understanding human response in Scripture, with divine attributes like holiness, goodness, and sovereignty eliciting specific reactions from believers. The Bible consistently presents God as the Divine Being, often referred to by names such as 'El, 'Eloah, 'Elohim, and Jehovah, which signify strength, self-existence, and sovereign authority ^{[5, 13]}. The existence of God is not argued but assumed throughout the biblical narrative ^[5].

God's character is revealed through various attributes. His holiness is a central aspect, serving as the standard for human conduct, as seen in commands like "Be holy, for I am holy" (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16) ^[6]. Christ himself is an example of holiness, and he desires and effects holiness in his followers ^[6]. The goodness of God is another key attribute, motivating devotion and fear ^{[1, 4]}. His greatness and forgiveness also inspire a godly fear ^[1]. God's mercies and his call are further grounds for devotedness from humanity ^[4].

In response to God's character, Scripture outlines several expected human reactions:

Fear of God: This is not a servile dread but a reverential awe and respect, described as filial ^[1]. It is commanded throughout Scripture (Deuteronomy 13:4; Psalm 22:23; Ecclesiastes 12:13; 1 Peter 2:17) and is motivated by God's holiness, greatness, goodness, and forgiveness ^[1]. This fear is also equated with wisdom (Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10) and is seen as a treasure and a fountain of life for believers ^[1].
Devotedness to God: This is a characteristic of saints, exemplified by Christ himself (John 4:34; 17:4) ^[4]. It should be unreserved, abounding, and involve one's spirit, body, members, and substance ^[4]. The basis for this devotion includes God's mercies, goodness, call, the death of Christ, and our creation, preservation, and redemption ^[4].
Holiness: Humans are commanded to be holy, reflecting God's character (Leviticus 11:45; Ephesians 5:8; Colossians 3:12) ^[6]. This holiness is necessary for worship and for seeing God (Psalm 24:3-4; Hebrews 12:14) ^[6]. Believers are elected and called to holiness, and it is a new creation within them ^[6].
Resignation and Submission: This involves submitting to God's will and sovereignty, even in difficult circumstances like the prospect of death, loss, chastisements, or bodily suffering ^[8]. Christ provides the ultimate example of resignation (Matthew 26:39-44; John 12:27) ^[8].
Knowledge of God: To "know God" in Scripture often implies an intimate, saving relationship, rather than merely intellectual understanding ^[11]. While all people have some knowledge of God through creation, they often fail to act rightly on this knowledge, instead worshipping idols ^[11]. Understanding God's character is facilitated by searching the Scriptures ^[1].
Listening and Obedience: Those who truly know God listen to his word and his messengers (1 John 4:6) ^{[2, 3]}. Conversely, those who are not "of God" do not listen ^{[2, 3]}. The works that God approves are those done in response to his character and commands ^[10].

God's character is sometimes described in anthropomorphic or anthropopathic terms in the Old Testament, assigning human characteristics or emotions to God to help human understanding, though God is not limited by these descriptions ^[9]. For instance, God "tests" character not because he is unaware, but to reveal what is in the human heart through actions ^[9]. Encounters with God's glory often provoke a response of awe and fear, leading individuals to fall down in reverence (Isaiah 6:5; Daniel 8:17; Revelation 1:17) ^[12].

The Scriptures, given by inspiration of God and the Holy Spirit, are the primary means through which God's character is revealed and understood ^[7]. They are called the "Word of God" and the "Word of truth," providing guidance for how humanity should respond to their Creator ^[7].

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Godly — God is the object of -- Isa 8:13. God is the author of -- Jer 32:39,40. Searching the Scriptures gives the understanding of -- Pr 2:3-5. Described as Hatred of evil. -- Pr 8:13. Wisdom. -- Job 28:28; Ps 111:10. A treasure to saints. -- Pr 15:16; Isa 33:6. A fountain of life. -- Pr 14:27. Sanctifying. -- Ps 19:9. Filial and reverential. -- Heb 12:9,28. Commanded -- De 13:4; Ps 22:23; Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Motives to The holiness of God. -- Re 15:4. The greatness of God. -- De 10:12,17. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The forgiveness of God. -- Ps 130:4.”
1 John “We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God doesn’t listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. -- 1 John 4:6”
I John “I John 4:6 (Rotherham) — We, are, of God: he that is getting to understand God, hearkeneth unto us,—whoso is not of God, hearkeneth not unto us: from this, perceive we—the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Devotedness to God — A characteristic of saints -- Job 23:12. Christ, an example of -- Joh 4:34; 17:4. Grounded upon The mercies of God. -- Ro 12:1. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The call of God. -- 1Th 2:12. The death of Christ. -- 2Co 5:15. Our creation. -- Ps 86:9. Our preservation. -- Isa 46:4. Our redemption. -- 1Co 6:19,20. Should be With our spirit. -- 1Co 6:20; 1Pe 4:6. With our bodies. -- Ro 12:1; 1Co 6:20. With our members. -- Ro 6:12,13; 1Pe 4:2. With our substance. -- Ex 22:29; Pr 3:9. Unreserved. -- Mt 6:24; Lu 14:33. Abounding. -- 1Th 4:1. Persever”
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: 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. ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 8:2: 8:2 to prove your character (literally to know what is in your heart): God already knew the Israelites’ innermost thoughts (Pss 51:6; 139:1, 4, 23); he wanted their character to come out in their actions. • to find out whether: The Old Testament often describes God in human terms, even in ways that appear to limit God. Anthropomorphism (assigning human characteristics to God) and anthropopathism (assigning human feelings or emotions to God) are ways of representing God on a human level so the human mind can better grasp his ways, but God is not limited in his ”
John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 6:28: What shall we do . . . the works of God--such works as God will approve. Different answers may be given to such a question, according to the spirit which prompts the inquiry. (See Hos 6:6-8; Luk 3:12-14). Here our Lord, knowing whom He had to deal with, shapes His reply accordingly.”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:21: 1:21 To know God in Scripture usually means to have an intimate, saving relationship with him (see 2 Cor 5:16; Gal 4:9; Phil 3:8, 10). Here, however, they knew God means that people knew about God. All people have some understanding of God through creation, yet they do not do what is right based on that knowledge. Rather than learn more about God, they worship gods of their own making.”
Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 17:6: 17:6-7 Such a response is typical for encounters with God’s glory (e.g., Isa 6:5; Dan 8:17; 10:9, 15-19; Rev 1:17).”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 105:7: He is the lord our God,.... Here begin the arguments to excite to praise and thankfulness; and the first is taken from what God is, and is to us; he is Jehovah, the Being of beings, a self-existent Being, the author of all beings, but receives his own from none; being undivided, independent, and self-sufficient, invariably and unchangeably the same, which is, and was, and is to come; and who has a sovereign power and authority over all creatures, whose name alone is Jehovah; nor is that name applicable or communicable to any created being; and yet this Jehovah is our”

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