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Biblical Examples Reflecting God's Character and Glory

God's character and glory are revealed throughout the biblical narrative, often through direct manifestations, divine attributes, and the actions of individuals. The "glory of God" can be understood as a tangible expression of His power and majesty [8]. This glory is not merely an abstract concept but is demonstrated in various ways, from creation to the person of Christ.

One primary way God's glory is exhibited is through His creation. The heavens, for instance, are said to declare the glory of God, and the expanse shows His handiwork [4]. The works of God, in general, are seen as reflecting His glory [1]. This includes the majesty of God, as described in passages that speak of His greatness and highly exalted nature [1]. The psalmist meditates on and admires the glory and greatness of God, noting that His name is excellent in all the earth [11]. The "glory of his name" represents the perfection of God’s character [14].

Beyond creation, God's character is revealed through His attributes. His power is evident in events like the Exodus [1]. His holiness is also a key aspect of His character, as seen in the song of Moses [1]. God's goodness to humanity is also a demonstration of His glory [11]. The Lord's nature and perfections, including His power, wisdom, goodness, truth, and faithfulness, are all excellent and proclaim His glory [13].

The Old Testament provides numerous instances where God's glory is directly revealed. It was manifested on Mount Sinai, at the dedication of the Tabernacle, and in Solomon’s Temple [8]. For example, Moses desired to behold God's glory, and God revealed His goodness, mercy, and faithfulness to him [1]. The prophet Isaiah describes a vision where he encounters God's glory, leading to a profound response [10]. The prophet Zephaniah describes the greatness of God's joy over His people, particularly on account of their repentance, faith, and fear of Him [7]. This joy leads God to prosper, do good to, deliver, and comfort His people [7].

In the New Testament, the glory of God is preeminently displayed in Jesus Christ. Christ is described as the image of God and the radiance of God's glory [3, 1]. John's Gospel states that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and "we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" [1]. Paul writes that God, who commanded light to shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ [1]. Christ's glory is also seen in His role as God, the Son of God, one with the Father, the First-born, the First-begotten, Lord of lords, Creator, Mediator, Prophet, Priest, King, and Judge [3]. His death and resurrection are also understood as moments where His glory was manifested [8].

The character of God is also reflected in the qualities He values and cultivates in His people. Humility is a characteristic of saints and is regarded by God, who hears, delivers, lifts up, and exalts the humble [2]. Christ himself is an example of humility [2]. Holy boldness, rooted in trust and fear of God, is another quality that reflects God's character and is encouraged in believers, particularly in prayer and ministry [5]. Resignation, or submission to God's will and sovereignty, is exemplified by Christ and commanded for believers in the face of suffering, loss, and even death [6]. These virtues, when practiced by believers, reflect aspects of God's own character.

The revelation of God's glory is not limited to grand, dramatic displays. Matthew Henry notes that while God's glory appears in creation, it is even more evident in divine revelation, particularly the Holy Scripture [9]. The word of God is essential for humanity's recovery from a fallen state, offering greater benefit than the natural world alone [9]. The glory and blessedness of the king, particularly as a type of Christ, also reflect God's special selection and favor [12].

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. 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, ”
  3. 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”
  4. Psalms “The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. -- Psalms 19:1”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Boldness, Holy — Christ set an example of -- Joh 7:26. Is through faith in Christ -- Eph 3:12; Heb 10:19. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 28:1. Produced by Trust in God. -- Isa 50:7. The fear of God. -- Ac 4:19; 5:29. Faithfulness to God. -- 1Ti 3:13. Express your trust in God with -- Heb 13:6. Have, in prayer -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16. Saints shall have, in judgment -- 1Jo 4:17. Exhortations to -- Jos 1:7; 2Ch 19:11; Jer 1:8; Eze 3:9. Pray for -- Ac 4:29; Eph 6:19,20. Ministers should exhibit, in Faithfulness to their people. -- 2Co 7:4; 10:1. Preaching. -- Ac 4:31; Ph”
  6. 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:”
  7. 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.”
  8. 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.”
  9. 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”
  10. 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).”
  11. 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”
  12. Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 21:4: (Compare Sa2 7:13-16). The glory and blessedness of the king as head of his line, including Christ, as well as in being God's specially selected servant, exceeded that of all others.”
  13. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 148:13: Let them praise the name of the Lord, His nature and perfections, and celebrate the glory of them; and his wonderful works, and the blessings of his goodness, both of providence and grace; even all the above creatures and things, celestial and terrestrial, for the following reasons; for his name alone is excellent; the name of the Lord is himself, who is excellent in power, wisdom, goodness, truth, and faithfulness, and in all other perfections of his nature; his works, by which he is known, are excellent, both of nature and of grace, and proclaim his glory; his S”
  14. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 66:2: 66:2 The glory of his name represents the perfection of God’s character.”
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