The character of God in the Old Testament

According to the Old Testament, the character of God
is gradually and progressively revealed,
unfolding in the events of the history of the people of God

 

Introduction

In the first three chapters of Genesis –the Prologue-we are introduced to the main themes of the Bible concerning the nature and purposes of God.

In Chapter 1 God is the great ALMIGHTY GOD; an all powerful God who can bless all mankind. God is the CREATOR eternally creating and sustaining all that is by his word of command;  he loves what he is making ; it is good. God makes humans both male and female ‘in his own image’.  Mysteriously we know God is beyond gender though we cannot call God ‘it’ and we never resolve this mystery of who God is. There is an indication in 1:26 of more than one person.  God is SPIRIT who ACTS and creates through his WORD for he speaks creation into being.

In Chapters 2 and 3 God creates humans to be in relationship with each other but also with God. Like a parent he takes these infants, teaches them and leaves them space to grow. They immediately fall down as infants do and have to learn that he loves them but expects obedience as well as their love in return. They have to leave their garden ‘womb’ and grow up. The formation of God’s people in the Old Testament moves on through a family, a tribe, village people, and nation.

The Family

Abraham and Sarah are chosen to begin God’s family. The God of Abraham is God Almighty who has a love and purpose for ALL nations. This God of Abraham and his successors is central to the identity of the Jewish people- they are God’s chosen, they are children of Abraham – although they may sometimes forget that God’s intention is to bless ‘all nations’ through them. (Gen 12:3) Abraham and Sarah discover a very different God from all those known in their culture; one who acts, who is not limited to a location, who relates to people, is powerful, loves them, keeps promises, is holy and to be obeyed and who also forgives when they fail.

The Tribe

The tribe of Israel grows through their adventures and suffering as slaves in Egypt and the escape and wanderings led by Moses in the desert. They know God as their Saviour, who despite their continuing disobedience rescues them, shows his love and care for them by providing food and water and leading them to the promised home; God is there for them night and day. He is the living God – Yahweh -holy, strong and powerful. 

They also learn that they must face up to the demands of God’s justice; the Torah, particularly the commandments given through Moses show them the kind of moral behaviour God expects of them.

The Village People in the Promised Land

As they move from their nomadic existence to be settled as farmers cultivating land and trading with other communities, the tribes continue to learn that their God is still Yahweh who expects their love and obedience. This faith is continually tested as they relate to other peoples and compete for land and power. With the Judges and then their Kings their dependence on Yahweh, the Covenant and his law draws them together to recognise themselves as a Nation chosen by God.

The Nation

Israel continued to learn through the process of relating God’s love, justice and power to their story as they were buffeted by the conflicts with more powerful neighbours. When God seemed absent they were often unfaithful, and needed to turn back and seek God’s forgiveness by his grace. God was in control of their history even in the bad times. He is also acting in love for their good, but that does not mean they will win power over other peoples or even over their own destiny.

Finding God in later history

Many of the themes described in Israel’s history, especially in the story of the Exodus are worked out in the experience after they became the nation of Israel. It was through the prophets that God spoke to them and reminded them of their Covenant with the only Living God whom they knew as Yahweh. The prophets reminded them that God’s purposes are for all nations through them.

The names of God

Two Hebrew words are translated ‘God’ – EL ‘The Deity’ meaning the ‘power and distinctiveness of his divine nature’ and ELOHIM plural in form but meaning ‘the One who completely possesses all the divine’. A third word ADON describes God as ‘Sovereign’ or ‘Lord’ pointing to his divine authority and executive rule.[i]

A special name YAHWEH is used where God is known not just by name but more intimately in fellowship.  God identifies himself as he who saves his people, overthrows his adversaries and is holy. The Holiness of God works out through the holy redemption and holy wrath of the Passover.

God is not just a God of Israel, he also relates to individuals; he loves them and wants to be loved. Within his chosen people he is the God of the individual: ‘my beloved’ (Isaiah 5:1), ‘the God of my salvation’ (Psalm 18:4). ‘The richness of personal awareness of God in the Old Testament  is hardly better seen than through the wealth of metaphors  for the God who was known and loved in daily life.’[ii]

Conclusion

Despite the uncertainties and conflicting stories recorded by many writers the story of God with his people unfolds in the Old Testament. Although he may seem to have left them He is never far from them.

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[i] J.A. Motyer The Names of God in the Lion HANDBOOK OF THE BIBLE

[ii] J.A. Motyer ibid

Many of the metaphors he lists are from the psalms

ROCK                                      a title stemming from Ex 17:1-7; see Deut 32 also
SHEPHERD                             Ps 23:1
SHIELD.STRONGHOLD          Ps 18:2
LIGHT                                      Ps 27:1
STRENGTH                              Ps  28:7
REFUGE                                  Ps  37:39
SUN                                         Ps 84:11
FATHER                                  Ps 89:26,  Is.63:16
MOTHER-BIRD                       Ps  91:4  compare Is.31:5
HELP                                       Ps 115:9                                                                               
SHADE                                    Ps 21:5
PORTION                                Ps 142:5
SONG                                      Isaiah 12:2
REDEEMER                             Isaiah 41:14
 WARRIOR                             Isaiah 42:13
POTTER                                  Isaiah 45:9
HUSBAND                              Isaiah 54:5
FOUNTAIN                             Jeremiah 2:13
DEW                                       Hosea 14:5
LION, LEOPARD, BEAR         Hosea 13:7-8