Using Historical Examples to Understand God's Character Biblically

The character of God is revealed throughout the biblical narrative, often through historical examples that illustrate divine attributes and expectations for humanity. These examples serve not only as records of past events but also as enduring lessons about God's nature and his relationship with his creation.

One fundamental aspect of God's character is his holiness, which is presented as the standard for human conduct ^[4]. The Old Testament frequently commands Israel to be holy because God himself is holy (Leviticus 11:45; 20:7; 1 Peter 1:15-16) ^[4]. This divine attribute is not merely an abstract concept but is demonstrated through God's actions and his requirements for worship (Psalm 24:3-4) ^[4]. The New Testament further emphasizes that holiness is necessary to see God (Hebrews 12:14) and that believers are called to it, being "new created in" holiness (Ephesians 4:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:7) ^[4]. Christ himself is presented as the ultimate example of holiness (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:21-22), and his desire is for his people to be holy (John 17:17) ^[4].

God's character is also understood through his responses to human sin and righteousness. The Bible consistently portrays humanity as born into sin (Psalm 51:5) ^[5], with wicked individuals indulging their sinful nature ^[5]. Sin is not merely a transgression but can be characterized as 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" ^[6]. Deliberate sins are often committed with an insolent or arrogant attitude, representing rebellion against God (Psalm 19:13; 32:1) ^[7]. God's anger is depicted not as a spontaneous emotional outburst, but as a necessary response to sin from a holy God ^[8]. This divine wrath is evident in Old Testament accounts (Exodus 32:10-12; Numbers 11:1; Jeremiah 21:3-7) and is predicted to have a decisive outpouring at the end of history ^[8]. The universal sinfulness of humanity, encompassing both Gentiles and Jews, is a foundational theme, demonstrating that no one can find favor with God through their own actions (Romans 1:18-32; 2:1-3:8; 3:9-20) ^[8]. To claim "we have not sinned" is to make God a liar (1 John 1:10) ^[9].

Despite humanity's sinful nature, God's character also includes compassion and a desire for communion. The Old Testament describes God's kindness and concern for his people, as seen in his providences concerning the "old world" and ancestors like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 32:7) ^[11]. God's compassion is a motive for believers to show compassion to others, including the afflicted, the chastened, enemies, the poor, the weak, and other saints (Matthew 13:27, 33; 10:42; Luke 10:33; 15:20) ^[2]. Christ himself set an example of communion with God (Luke 19:41-42) and exhorted his followers to practice it (Romans 12:15; 1 Peter 3:8) ^[2]. This communion is inseparable from love for God (1 John 3:17; John 4:20) ^[2].

Humility is another characteristic that God values and rewards. Micah 6:8 indicates that humility is necessary for serving God ^[1]. Christ exemplified humility (Matthew 11:29; John 13:14-15; Philippians 2:5-8), and it is a characteristic of saints (Psalm 34:2) ^[1]. God regards the humble (Psalm 138:6; Isaiah 66:2), hears them (Psalm 9:12; Isaiah 10:17), and grants them his presence (Isaiah 57:15) ^[1]. He delivers the humble (Job 22:29), lifts them up (James 4:10), and exalts them (Luke 14:11; 18:14) ^[1]. Those who are humble are considered greatest in Christ's kingdom (Matthew 18:4; 20:26-28), receive more grace (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6), and are upheld by honor (Proverbs 18:12; 29:23) ^[1].

God's character is also revealed through his testing of his people. In Deuteronomy 8:2, God states his intention "to prove your character (literally to know what is in your heart)" ^[10]. While God already knows the innermost thoughts of individuals (Psalms 51:6; 139:1, 4, 23), he desires for their character to be demonstrated through their actions ^[10]. This concept, where God is described in human terms or with human feelings (anthropomorphism and anthropopathism), helps humans grasp his ways, though God himself is not limited by these human characteristics ^[10].

The Bible also presents examples of boldness in faith, which reflects trust in God. Christ demonstrated holy boldness (John 7:26), and this quality is produced by trust in God (Isaiah 50:7), the fear of God (Acts 4:19; 5:29), and faithfulness to God (1 Timothy 3:13) ^[3]. Saints are characterized by boldness (Proverbs 28:1) and are encouraged to express their trust in God with it (Hebrews 13:6) ^[3]. Boldness is also encouraged in prayer (Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16) and will be a characteristic of saints in judgment (1 John 4:17) ^[3]. Ministers are specifically exhorted to exhibit boldness in faithfulness to their people and in preaching (2 Corinthians 7:4; 10:1; Acts 4:31; Philippians 1:14) ^[3].

The examples of faith in the Old Testament, such as those highlighted in Hebrews 11, serve as illustrations of God's faithfulness to those who trust him ^[12]. Jesus himself is presented as the supreme example of faithfulness, surpassing even Moses, a revered figure in Judaism (Hebrews 3:1-6) ^[13]. Focusing on Jesus is a primary means of persevering in faith (Hebrews 2:9; 12:1-2) ^[13].

The biblical narrative, through these historical examples, consistently portrays God as holy, just in his response to sin, yet compassionate and desirous of communion with a humble and faithful people.

Sources

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: 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: 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”
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. ”
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”
1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
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 ”
Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 32:7: Moses, having in general represented God to them as their great benefactor, whom they were bound in gratitude to observe and obey, in these verses gives particular instances of God's kindness to them and concern for them. 1. Some instances were ancient, and for proof of them he appeals to the records (Deu 32:7): Remember the days of old; that is, "Keep in remembrance the history of those days, and of the wonderful providences of God concerning the old world, and concerning your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; you will find a constant series of mercies at”
Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 11:4: The apostle, having given us a more general account of the grace of faith, now proceeds to set before us some illustrious examples of it in the Old Testament times, and these may be divided into two classes: - 1. Those whose names are mentioned, and the particular exercise and actings of whose faith are specified. 2. Those whose names are barely mentioned, and an account given in general of the exploits of their faith, which it is left to the reader to accommodate, and apply to the particular persons from what he gathers up in the sacred story. We have here those”
Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 3:1: 3:1-6 The author compares Jesus to Moses, setting Jesus forward as the supreme example of faithfulness. The great status of Moses, a revered figure in Judaism, is used to show the incomparable greatness of Jesus. 3:1 dear brothers and sisters who belong to God: Literally holy brothers. Speakers and writers of the ancient world often addressed religious gatherings as “brothers” (Greek adelphoi), referring to both men and women. • think carefully about this Jesus: Focusing on Jesus is a primary means of persevering in the faith (2:9; 12:1-2). • God’s messenger (lite”

Ask Your Own Question