Deepening Understanding of God's Character and Sovereignty through OT Types
The Old Testament provides numerous "types" or foreshadowings that deepen understanding of God's character and sovereignty. These types often serve as earthly representations of heavenly realities, allowing the human mind to grasp divine truths [8].
God's sovereignty is a foundational aspect of His character revealed throughout the Old Testament. He is depicted as being sovereign over all things, unfolding each stage of history according to His plan from the beginning of time [9]. This comprehensive control is evident in passages like Isaiah 41:4, where God declares Himself as the one who calls forth "each new generation from the beginning of time" [9]. The concept of God's foreknowledge is closely linked to His sovereignty, as He possesses infinite knowledge that encompasses all events (Acts 2:23; Romans 8:29; 11:2; 1 Peter 1:2) [5]. This foreknowledge is not merely predictive but is an attribute of His being, though its full import remains beyond human comprehension [5].
The Old Testament also illustrates God's character through His interactions with humanity. For instance, God's knowledge of His people is intimate and personal; He knows individuals by name, as seen in His call to Moses (Exodus 3:4) [7]. While God already knows the innermost thoughts and hearts of individuals (Psalm 51:6; 139:1, 4, 23), He sometimes tests them "to prove their character" or "to find out whether" their actions align with their inner disposition, as described in Deuteronomy 8:2 [6]. This anthropomorphic language, which assigns human characteristics or emotions to God, helps people understand His ways on a human level without limiting His divine nature [6].
Furthermore, the Old Testament reveals God's profound wisdom and knowledge, which are described as unsearchable and beyond human discovery (Romans 11:33; Job 11:7) [1, 2]. His love is portrayed as sovereign, great, abiding, unfailing, and everlasting, extended even to perishing sinners and the destitute (Deuteronomy 7:8; 10:15; John 3:16; Titus 3:4) [4]. The "fear of God," a recurring theme, is presented as wisdom, a hatred of evil, and a treasure to saints, motivated by His holiness, greatness, goodness, and forgiveness (Isaiah 8:13; Proverbs 8:13; 15:16; Psalm 130:4) [3]. These attributes, though sometimes expressed in human terms, consistently point to a God whose character is both majestic and intimately involved with His creation.
Sources
- Romans “Romans 11:33 (Tyndale) — O the depnes of the aboundaunt wysdome and knowledge of God: how vnserchable are his iudgementes and his wayes past findyng out.”
- Job “Job 11:7 (BSB) — Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?”
- 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.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love of God, The — Is a part of his character -- 2Co 13:11; 1Jo 4:8. Christ, the especial object of -- Joh 15:9; 17:26. Christ abides in -- Joh 15:10. Described as Sovereign. -- De 7:8; 10:15. Great. -- Eph 2:4. Abiding. -- Zep 3:17. Unfailing. -- Isa 49:15,16. Unalienable. -- Ro 8:39. Constraining. -- Ho 11:4. Everlasting. -- Jer 31:3. Irrespective of merit -- De 7:7; Job 7:17. Manifested towards Perishing sinners. -- Joh 3:16; Tit 3:4. His saints. -- Joh 16:27; 17:23; 2Th 2:16; 1Jo 4:16. The destitute. -- De 10:18. The cheerful giver. -- 2Co 9:7. Exhibited in The g”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Foreknowledge of God — Acts 2:23; Rom. 8:29; 11:2; 1 Pet. 1:2), one of those high attributes essentially appertaining to him the full import of which we cannot comprehend. In the most absolute sense his knowledge is infinite (1 Sam. 23:9-13; Jer. 38:17-23; 42:9-22, Matt. 11:21, 23; Acts 15:18).”
- 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 ”
- Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 3:4: 3:4 Moses! Moses! God knows his people by name, and individuals are important to him.”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 4:32: I have meat to eat that ye know not of - Our blessed Lord seizes every opportunity to raise the minds of his apostles to heavenly things, through the medium of earthly matters. Nor does he force these things into such service. Properly understood, earthly substances are the types, representatives, and shadows of heavenly things.”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 41:4: 41:4 each new generation from the beginning of time: God is sovereign over all things. From the beginning he has unfolded each stage of history according to his plan. • In the book of Revelation, Jesus identifies himself as the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End (Rev 1:8, 17; 2:8; 21:6; 22:13). • I alone am he: The Lord alone is God (see also Isa 43:10, 13; 46:4; 48:12; Deut 32:39). Jesus used similar expressions for himself (see John 6:35; 8:12, 24; 9:5; 10:7, 9, 11, 14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1, 5).”