Avoiding Human Examples to Emphasize God's Strength and Abilities
Avoiding Human Examples to Emphasize God's Strength and Abilities
The biblical emphasis on God's strength and abilities often involves avoiding human examples or comparisons that might detract from divine power. In 1 Corinthians 2:4, Paul notes that his preaching was "not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power" [1]. This approach underscores the idea that true power and wisdom come from God, not from human sources.
The scriptures frequently highlight God's independence from human strength or wisdom. For instance, Job 34:30 states that God ensures "that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people" [2]. This passage illustrates God's control and authority, unmediated by human intervention. Similarly, Psalm 147:10-11 emphasizes that any physical or intellectual achievement is a gift from the Lord, cautioning against boasting in human accomplishments [5].
In the view of some Protestant traditions, human examples or comparisons can be seen as diminishing the glory of God's works. Adam Clarke, commenting on 1 Corinthians 1:29, notes that God performs his mighty works in such a way as to prove that, although He may use men as instruments, they have no part in the contrivance or energy behind these works [4]. This perspective is echoed in the commentary on Isaiah 40:23, which states that God is unimpressed by human power and fame [6].
The biblical account also portrays Jesus as avoiding elaborate human rhetoric or comparisons. In Mark 4:30, Jesus is described as carefully choosing simple, instructive examples to convey the message of the kingdom of God, rather than relying on "fine turns of eloquence to charm the minds of his auditors" [7]. This approach is consistent with the warning in Matthew 6:7 against using "vain repetitions" in prayer, emphasizing instead the simplicity and sincerity of communication with God [8].
The emphasis on God's strength and abilities, unmediated by human examples, is a recurring theme in biblical interpretation. According to Calvin, God's judgments are more clearly illustrated when they are not obscured by human intermediaries or elaborate explanations [3]. This perspective is reflected in the broader Reformed tradition, which often highlights the primacy of divine action in salvation and other aspects of Christian life.
The scriptures thus present a vision of God's power and wisdom that is not dependent on human analogies or strengths. As Elihu argues in Job 35:5, God's exalted nature means that He is not susceptible to benefit or hurt from human actions, underscoring His independence and authority [9].
Sources
- 1 Corinthians “My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, -- 1 Corinthians 2:4”
- Job “that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people. -- Job 34:30”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 15.11: be visible or tangible, rather than the subject of writing, or of discourse. — Ed . that the judgments of God may be the more clearly illustrated. For which reason, he now introduces God as the speaker, who declares that the work which they supposed could not be retarded, shall, without any difficulty, be destroyed. The meaning of the words is of this kind, ‘I will not use many instruments, I will only blow upon them, and they, through the confusion of tongues, shall be contemptibly scattered. And as they, having collected a nume”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 1:29: That no flesh should glory - God does his mighty works in such a way as proves that though he may condescend to employ men as instruments, yet they have no part either in the contrivance or energy by which such works are performed.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 147:10: 147:10-11 human might: Any physical or intellectual achievement is a gift from the Lord, just like the strength of a horse. These gifts are a reason to praise the Lord, not to boast (Jer 9:23-24).”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 40:23: 40:23 great people: God is unimpressed by human power and fame.”
- Mark (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Mark 4:30: Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? - How amiable is this carefulness of Jesus! How instructive to the preachers of his word! He is not solicitous to seek fine turns of eloquence to charm the minds of his auditors, nor to draw such descriptions and comparisons as may surprise them: but studies only to make himself understood; to instruct to advantage; to give true ideas of faith and holiness; and to find out such expressions as may render necessary truths easy and intelligible to the meanest capacities. The very wisdom of God seems to be at a loss to find out”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:7: 6:7-8 God cannot be coaxed by endless repetition. The Lord’s Prayer (6:9-13) is a model of simplicity in contrast with pagan wordiness.”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 35:5: Elihu like Eliphaz (Job 22:2-3, Job 22:12) shows that God is too exalted in nature to be susceptible of benefit or hurt from the righteousness or sin of men respectively; it is themselves that they benefit by righteousness, or hurt by sin. behold the clouds, which are higher than thou--spoken with irony. Not only are they higher than thou, but thou canst not even reach them clearly with the eye. Yet these are not as high as God's seat. God is therefore too exalted to be dependent on man. Therefore He has no inducement to injustice in His dealings with m”