Applying Biblical Examples to Modern Understanding of God's Character

The character of God is revealed throughout the Bible, providing examples for believers to understand and emulate. The very name "God" in Hebrew, El or Elohim, signifies strength and divine power ^[1]. While God's nature is inherently beyond full human comprehension, biblical narratives and teachings offer insights into His attributes and expectations for humanity.

One fundamental aspect of God's character is His holiness. The Bible commands believers to "be holy, for I am holy" (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16) ^[3]. This holiness is presented as a standard for human conduct, with Christ's character also serving as an example (Romans 8:29; 1 John 2:6; Philippians 2:5) ^[3]. Holiness is not merely an attribute of God but a state into which believers are called and created anew (Ephesians 4:24) ^[3]. Without holiness, the Scripture states, "no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14) ^[3].

God's love is another central characteristic. John Gill notes that the love of God, particularly the Lord Jesus Christ, is manifested and perceived in various ways ^[8]. This divine love serves as a motive for believers to show compassion and communion with others, especially the afflicted, the poor, and the weak (Job 6:14; Proverbs 19:17; 2 Corinthians 11:29) ^[4]. The example of Christ's compassion (Luke 19:41-42) encourages believers to engage in communion with God and others ^[4].

Humility is also a quality highly regarded by God and exemplified by Christ. Jesus himself taught, "Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart" (Matthew 11:29) ^[2]. Those who are humble are regarded by God (Psalm 138:6; Isaiah 66:2), heard by Him (Psalm 9:12), and enjoy His presence (Isaiah 57:15) ^[2]. Humility leads to exaltation (Luke 14:11; James 4:10) and is necessary for serving God (Micah 6:8) ^[2].

The Bible also describes God in ways that use human characteristics (anthropomorphism) or emotions (anthropopathism) to help people grasp His ways, though God is not limited by these human terms ^[7]. For instance, Deuteronomy 8:2 speaks of God testing Israel "to know what was in their heart," which is understood not as God lacking knowledge, but as allowing their character to be revealed through their actions ^[7].

Humanity is created in God's image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27), a distinction that highlights the unique importance of human beings ^{[9, 11]}. This image is not merely physical or intellectual but relates to humanity's role as God's representative, endowed with dignity and authority to rule the world ^{[9, 11]}. John Calvin, while acknowledging the theological discussions about the image of God in human faculties, emphasizes that a definition of this image should rest on a firm, scriptural basis ^[10].

The concept of resignation, or submission to God's will, is exemplified by Christ (Matthew 26:39-44; John 12:27) and commanded for believers (Psalm 37:7; 46:10) ^[5]. This includes submission to God's sovereignty in His purposes (Romans 9:20-21) and acceptance of various life circumstances, such as suffering, loss, and even death (Job 1:21; Hebrews 12:9) ^[5].

Diligence is another characteristic God requires, seen in seeking Him (1 Chronicles 22:19), obeying Him (Deuteronomy 6:17), and striving for spiritual perfection (Philippians 3:13-14) ^[6]. Christ's own diligence is noted, such as His early morning prayers (Mark 1:35) ^[6]. This diligence extends to cultivating Christian graces, guarding against defilement, and making one's calling sure (2 Peter 1:5, 10; Hebrews 12:15) ^[6].

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: 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: Communion With God — Christ set an example of -- Lu 19:41,42. Exhortation to -- Ro 12:15; 1Pe 3:8. Exercise towards The afflicted. -- Job 6:14; Heb 13:3. The chastened. -- Isa 22:4; Jer 9:1. Enemies. -- Ps 35:13. The poor. -- Pr 19:17. The weak. -- 2Co 11:29; Ga 6:2. Saints. -- 1Co 12:25,26. Inseparable from love to God -- 1Jo 3:17; Joh 4:20. Motives to The compassion of God. -- Mt 13:27,33. The sense of our infirmities. -- Heb 5:2. The wicked made to feel, for saints -- Ps 106:46. Promise to those who show -- Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42. Illustrated -- Lu 10:33; 15:20. Exemp”
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:”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
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 ”
1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 3:15: Hereby perceive we the love of God,.... The phrase "of God" is not in the Oriental versions, nor in the Greek copies, but is in the Complutensian edition, and in the Vulgate Latin version, and is favoured by the Syriac version, which reads, "by this we know his love to us"; and so the Ethiopic version, "by this we know his love". That is, the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is truly and properly God, the great God, the mighty God, the true God, and God over all, blessed for ever. His love is manifested to his people, and perceived by them in various instances; but ”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 8:5: 8:5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God: Humans bear God’s image; the Lord has endowed humans with dignity and charged them to rule (Gen 1:26-27). Hebrews 2:6-8 applies these words to Jesus Christ, the ideal human who fully realized God’s purposes.”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 5.31: and fourteenth books on the Trinity, also the eleventh book of the “City of God.” I acknowledge, indeed, that there is something in man which refers to the Father and the Son, and the Spirit: and I have no difficulty in admitting the above distinction of the faculties of the soul: although the simpler division into two parts, which is more used in Scripture, is better adapted to the sound doctrine of piety; but a definition of the image of God ought to rest on a firmer basis than such subtleties. As for myself, before I define the”
Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 1:26: The last stage in the progress of creation being now reached--God said, Let us make man--words which show the peculiar importance of the work to be done, the formation of a creature, who was to be God's representative, clothed with authority and rule as visible head and monarch of the world. In our image, after our likeness--This was a peculiar distinction, the value attached to which appears in the words being twice mentioned. And in what did this image of God consist? Not in the erect form or features of man, not in his intellect, for the devil a”

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