Using Human Examples to Illustrate God's Power and Goodness
Illustrating God's Power and Goodness through Human Examples
The Bible frequently employs human examples to illustrate God's power and goodness. For instance, Psalms 107:8, 15, and 31 all express a similar sentiment: "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" [1, 3, 2]. This refrain highlights the importance of human experience in demonstrating God's character.
One way human examples are used is to showcase God's liberality and care for others. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that liberality is a characteristic of saints and is pleasing to God, citing examples such as Christ's generosity (2 Corinthians 8:9) and the giving of alms (Luke 12:33) [5]. This emphasis on human action reflects God's own nature, as seen in His deliverance of His people (Psalms 50:15) and His care for the poor and strangers (Deuteronomy 15:11; Leviticus 25:35) [7, 5].
The power of God is another attribute often illustrated through human examples. Torrey's Topical Textbook describes God's power as "great," "strong," "glorious," and "irresistible," referencing various biblical passages that demonstrate these qualities, such as the voice of God (Psalms 29:3, 5; 68:33) and the hand of God (Exodus 9:3, 15; Isaiah 48:13) [6]. Human experiences of God's power, such as deliverance from enemies or personal struggles, serve to underscore His divine attributes.
In addition, human examples are used to demonstrate the consequences of sin and the importance of righteousness. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, the psalmist's description of the wicked in Psalms 58:3 illustrates the universal human condition of being born sinners, a theme echoed in other biblical passages (Romans 7:19-23; James 4:1-10) [8]. Conversely, the righteous are characterized by their faithfulness to God and their exercise of virtues like liberality and compassion [5, 4].
The use of human examples to illustrate God's power and goodness serves to make these abstract concepts more relatable and tangible. As Matthew Henry notes, God's glory is revealed in His works of creation, but even more so in divine revelation, highlighting the importance of scripture in understanding God's character [9]. By examining human experiences and actions in light of biblical teachings, one can gain a deeper understanding of God's nature and attributes.
Sources
- Psalms “Psalms 107:8 (Webster) — Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men!”
- King James Version “[KJV] Psalms 107:31 — Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”
- Psalms “Psalms 107:15 (Webster) — Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men!”
- 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: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- Ps 62:11. Expressed by the Voice of God. -- Ps 29:3,5; 68:33. Finger of God. -- Ex 8:19; Ps 8:3. Hand of God. -- Ex 9:3,15; Isa 48:13. Arm of God. -- Job 40:9; Isa 52:10. Thunder of his power. -- Job 26:14. Described as Great. -- Ps 79:11; Na 1:3. Strong. -- Ps 89:13; 136:12. Glorious. -- Ex 15:6; Isa 63:12. Mighty. -- Job 9:4; Ps 89:13. Everlasting. -- Isa 26:4; Ro 1:20. Sovereign. -- Ro 9:21. Effectual. -- Isa 43:13; Eph 3:7. Irresistible. -- De 32:39; Da 4:35. Incomparable. -- Ex 15:11,12; De 3:24; Job 40:9; Ps 89:8.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glorifying God — Commanded -- 1Ch 16:28; Ps 22:23; Isa 42:12. Due to him -- 1Ch 16:29. For his Holiness. -- Ps 99:9; Re 15:4. Mercy and truth. -- Ps 115:1; Ro 15:9. Faithfulness and truth. -- Isa 25:1. Wondrous works. -- Mt 15:31; Ac 4:21. Judgments. -- Isa 25:3; Eze 28:22; Re 14:7. Deliverance. -- Ps 50:15. Grace to others. -- Ac 11:18; 2Co 9:13; Ga 1:24. Obligation of saints to -- 1Co 6:20. Is acceptable through Christ -- Php 1:11; 1Pe 4:11. Christ, an example of -- Joh 17:4. Accomplished by Relying on his promises. -- Ro 4:20. Praising him. -- Ps 50:23. Doing all ”
- 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).”
- 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”