God's characteristics in Job 38-39

What are some characteristics of God in Job 38-39?

 

Omnipotence

• God has power to do all things that are according to His character.


• God cannot lie. 2 Timothy 2:13, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18


• God cannot be tempted James 1:3


• God can save anyone who meets His conditions Matthew 19:26


• In the Old Testament
  
  
  
  • As the Almighty (Ēl Shadday) as in Exodus 6:3
  
  
  • As Lord of Hosts (Armies) (Yahweh ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ). In Old Testament times the power, greatest, authority of a king was related to the size of his kingdom, number of soldiers, and the number of people he ruled over. God is seen as having a kingdom, army, and people a number too large to count, thus, omnipotent. Psalm 24:10, etc.
  
  
  • As the mighty one ('âbı̂yr). The one who has all strength as in Isaiah 49:26
  
  
  
  

 

Omniscience

• God knows all things--past, present, future, and all things knowable as the position of a planet a million years from, and all things not knowable as in a person's decision and action (an open theist would not believe that God can know future unknowable acts as a person's decision or action). Psalm 147:5, Isaiah 46:10, Acts 15:18, Hebrews 4:13, Ezekiel 8:7-12, Zechariah 9:9 with Matthew 21:1-11


• Includes all our thoughts, words, desires, deeds, and motivation. 1 Samuel 16:7, Proverbs 15:11, Hebrews 4:13

 

Omnipresent

• God is located everywhere. Proverbs 15:3, Jeremiah 23:23-24, Amos 9:2, 2 Chronicles 2:6


• God is active everywhere. His activity, acts, can be simultaneous is any and every place at once.


• Psalm 139 where all 3 characteristics are spoken of.

Behold the Beauty of the Lord

Psalm 27:4 is a favorite of many. It reads, "One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple." (Psalms 27:4, NKJV)

The phrase "…to behold the beauty of the LORD…" to me sounds like is an egotistical, narcissistic monster who wants everyone to stare at Him and be overawed at His physical characteristics. Most Bibles translate the Hebrew with those same words.

It seems that this passage is not speaking of God's physical form, rather it refers to His character. It is not His physical beauty we are to admire but His character, His personality, and His way of life. It is just comforting and pleasant to be around Him.

Physical beauty is not to be the judge of a person (Proverbs 31:30, Proverbs 6:25, Proverbs 11:22, 2 Samuel 14:25), but their character, personality, is (1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Peter 3:4, John 7:24). A pretentious lifestyle or look is not commended (Isaiah 3:16, Proverbs 30:13).

Some of God's character traits are found in Exodus 34:6, 1 Timothy 1:17 and Jude 25. Some traits worth admiring as love (John 3:16), peace (Philippians 4:7), wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:7), knowledge (Romans 11:33), just (Deuteronomy 32:4), merciful (Ephesians 2:4), strong (1 Corinthians 1:25), helpful (Jude 1:24), compassionate (James 5:11), keeps His promises (Proverbs 30:5), and doesn't lie (Titus 1:2).

These are not only worth admiring but traits we should be developing into our character. This happens by reading/studying the Bible, prayer, fellowship with other, being taught, confession of sin, and humility.