Using Bible Stories to Illustrate God's Character and Glory
The Bible frequently uses narratives and events to reveal God's character and glory, demonstrating His attributes through specific actions and interactions with humanity. The "glory of God" is exhibited in various ways, including His majesty, power, works, and holiness [1].
One prominent way God's glory is displayed is through His works of creation. Psalm 19:1 states, "The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork" [7]. This verse highlights how the natural world itself serves as a testament to God's creative power and majesty [1]. Matthew Henry notes that while God's glory is evident in creation, it is even more profoundly revealed through divine revelation, particularly in the Scriptures, which serve to recover humanity from its fallen state [12].
God's power is another attribute frequently illustrated through biblical stories. The Exodus narrative, for instance, showcases God's power in delivering Israel from Egypt, as seen in Exodus 15:1,6 [1]. Similarly, the afflictions faced by individuals can promote God's glory by exhibiting His power and faithfulness, as demonstrated in passages like Psalm 34:19-20 and 2 Corinthians 4:8-11 [5]. These stories illustrate that even in difficult circumstances, God's strength and reliability are made manifest [5].
The character of God is also revealed through His interactions with His people, particularly His joy over them. Zephaniah 3:17 describes the greatness of God's joy, which is often linked to their repentance (Luke 15:7,10), faith (Hebrews 11:5,6), and fear of Him (Psalm 147:11) [3]. Stories like the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:23-24) illustrate this divine joy over a repentant sinner [3]. God's delight in His people leads Him to prosper them, do them good, deliver them, and comfort them [3].
The excellency and glory of Christ are central to understanding God's character. Jesus is presented as God, the Son of God, and one with the Father [2]. John 1:1-5 and Philippians 2:6,9,10 affirm His divine nature, while Matthew 3:17 and Hebrews 1:6 emphasize His status as the beloved Son [2]. Christ is also depicted as the image of God (Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3) and the Creator (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2) [2]. His roles as Prophet, Priest, King, and Judge further illustrate His multifaceted glory and character [2]. The transfiguration, for example, is a narrative where Christ's divine glory is visibly displayed to His disciples. John 1:14 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." This passage highlights the incarnation as a primary means through which God's glory is exhibited in Christ [1].
Even human sin, which is a departure from God's character, serves to highlight His holiness and justice. The Bible consistently teaches that all human beings are born sinners [8], and sin is described as rebellion against God [10]. The story of Adam and Eve's disobedience in Genesis 3:13, for instance, illustrates the "heinous and aggravated" nature of sin, characterized by self-love, dishonor to God, and ingratitude [9]. God's anger is not a spontaneous outburst but a necessary response to sin [11]. However, even in the context of sin, God's character of mercy and grace is revealed through His provision for redemption.
The concept of "parable" itself, derived from the Greek parabole, signifies "placing beside or together, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another" [4]. Jesus frequently used parables to make the kingdom of God clear (Mark 4:30) [6], thereby illustrating divine truths through earthly stories. These narrative forms are crucial for conveying complex theological concepts in an accessible manner.
Sources
- 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”
- 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”
- 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.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another.--McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expand”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
- Mark “Mark 4:30 (BBE) — And he said, What picture may we give of the kingdom of God, or with what story may we make it clear?”
- Psalms “The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. -- Psalms 19:1”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
- 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”