Human Examples in Scripture Reveal God's Nature and Character

The biblical narrative frequently uses human examples to illustrate and illuminate the nature and character of God. This is rooted in the foundational concept that humanity was created in God's image (Genesis 1:27) ^[1]. While humanity's fallen state distorts this image, the lives of individuals, and especially the person of Jesus Christ, serve as profound revelations of divine attributes.

One primary way human examples reveal God's nature is through the concept of imago Dei, the image of God. Genesis 1:27 states, "God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them" ^[1]. This inherent dignity and the charge to rule over creation reflect aspects of God's own sovereignty and nature ^[8]. Although Ecclesiastes 3:18 notes that God tests humanity to show they are "like animals" in some respects ^[3], the initial creation account emphasizes a unique connection.

The character of God is also revealed through the moral and ethical standards he sets for humanity. God's instructions to humans, as found in scripture, are not merely arbitrary rules but are expressions of his own character and wisdom ^[14]. For instance, the command to be holy ("Be holy, for I am holy" - Leviticus 19:2) directly links human conduct to God's own nature ^[4]. Similarly, God's character serves as the motive for righteous behavior among his people, as seen in Exodus 23:7 ^[12]. The goodness God displays to his people is openly purposed ^[11], and this goodness is reflected in the call for humans to show compassion and care for one another, particularly the afflicted, the poor, and the weak ^[5].

The life of Jesus Christ stands as the preeminent human example revealing God's nature. Jesus is understood as the "ideal human who fully realized God’s purposes" ^[8]. His human nature was essential for his mediatorial office, as he partook of flesh and blood, experienced human emotions like weeping, hunger, thirst, and weariness, and even died ^[2]. These human experiences demonstrate God's profound empathy and his willingness to enter into the human condition.

Jesus's life provides specific examples of divine attributes expressed in human form:

Holiness: Christ is presented as an example of holiness, and his character is the standard for believers ^[4]. He desires and effects holiness in his people ^[4].
Humility: Jesus exemplified humility, stating, "Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart" (Matthew 11:29). His actions, such as washing his disciples' feet, further illustrate this ^[6]. Humility is necessary for the service of God and is a characteristic of saints, leading to exaltation by God ^[6].
Communion with God: Christ set an example of communion with God, as seen in his prayers and intimate relationship with the Father ^[5]. This example encourages believers to also seek communion with God ^[5].
Boldness: Jesus displayed holy boldness, speaking truth even in the face of opposition ^[7]. This boldness, rooted in faith and trust in God, is also a characteristic encouraged in believers, particularly in prayer and preaching ^[7].

The parallels between Adam and Jesus are significant in understanding how human examples reveal God's nature. Jesus is often referred to as the "second Adam" ^[9]. Unlike Adam, who succumbed to temptation, Jesus successfully resisted temptation in the wilderness, fulfilling Israel's history without sinning ^[9]. This demonstrates God's perfect obedience and his power to overcome sin, providing a sympathetic high priest who can help humanity in their own temptations (Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:15) ^[9].

The works of creation also reveal God's glory, but divine revelation, particularly through the word of God, offers a more profound understanding of God's goodness to humanity, especially in the context of humanity's fallen state ^[10]. God's word displays his character and power ^[13], and his instructions reveal his wisdom ^[14].

Sources

Genesis “God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them. -- Genesis 1:27”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
Ecclesiastes “I said in my heart, “As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals. -- Ecclesiastes 3:18”
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: 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: 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”
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.”
Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 4:1: 4:1-11 Parallels between Adam and Jesus are obvious in this account of Jesus’ temptation. Jesus is the second Adam (see Rom 5:12-19) and the second Israel (Matt 2:15). In contrast to the ancient Israelites, he fulfilled Israel’s history by successfully wandering through the desert without sinning. He proved himself the obedient Son of God by defeating Satan in spiritual combat. And because he underwent temptation himself as a human, Jesus is able to sympathize with the temptations we face (see Heb 2:14-18; 4:15) and help us overcome them as he did (1 Cor 10:13). 4”
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”
Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 31:19: God displays openly His purposed goodness to His people.”
Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 23:7: 23:7 God’s character is the motive for righteous behavior (see 22:22-24, 27).”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 33:4: 33:4-7 God’s word displays his character and his power.”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:7: 19:7-11 God’s instructions to humans reveal his character and wisdom. God’s instruction is precious and pleasant (119:103). It nourishes the person (Prov 16:24; 24:14) and is of more value than objects of human worth (Ps 81:13-16).”

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