God is the most prominent figure throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. He is described with a variety of names and attributes that give insight into His nature, character, and relationship to humanity. At the core, the Bible presents God as the supreme Creator and sovereign Ruler of the universe. He is eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, unchanging, wise, loving, just, merciful, gracious, and faithful. God represents the ultimate source of all life, truth, morality, and meaning.
The Creator
One of the primary ways God is presented in Scripture is as the Creator of the heavens, the earth, and everything in them. The opening lines of Genesis establish that “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The Bible emphasizes that God created the entire universe ex nihilo or “out of nothing” simply by speaking it into existence. Unlike the gods of other Ancient Near Eastern religions, the God of the Bible is not part of creation or dependent upon it, but stands wholly independent as the sovereign source of all that exists (Genesis 1-2; Isaiah 40:12-31; Acts 17:24-28).
As Creator, God reveals His supreme power, authority, wisdom, and care for His creation. Genesis 1-2 highlights God’s orderly process of creation, repeating that “God saw that it was good.” The Psalmist declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).
The Sovereign Ruler
In addition to creating the world, the Bible presents God as actively governing and sustaining His creation. God’s sovereignty means He is fully in control of everything that happens. The book of Job highlights God’s governance over nature, from regulating the tides of the sea to providing food and habitation for all living creatures (Job 38-41). Other texts affirm God’s sovereign rule over the nations, raising them up and bringing them down according to His divine plan (2 Chronicles 20:6; Psalm 47:7-8; Daniel 2:21).
God’s sovereignty extends even over seemingly insignificant or random events, like the roll of dice or falling of lots (Proverbs 16:33). Jesus teaches that not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the Father’s will (Matthew 10:29). This affirms that God is actively involved in overseeing all that transpires in His creation. Everything unfolds according to His sovereign decree for His glory and purpose.
The Lawgiver
A major theme throughout the Bible is God giving His law and commandments to instruct humanity in how to live. After creating the world, God gives Adam and Eve stipulations about what they can and cannot eat in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:16-17). He later gives Moses the Ten Commandments and other laws to govern His chosen nation Israel (Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 5).
God’s laws reflect His righteous character and shape Israel as a people who live accordingly. Keeping the law demonstrated love for God, while disobedience brought consequences. God’s laws provided guidelines for moral conduct, governing relationships, religious practice, justice, and nearly every domain of human life.
While Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses (Matthew 5:17), God still expects obedience from His people. Jesus summed up the whole Law under two great commandments – to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). God’s laws reveal how He expects His people to live in a way that honors Him and promotes human flourishing.
The Judge
Another prominent theme is God judging humanity based on how well they keep His laws. God expelled Adam and Eve from Eden for disobeying His command (Genesis 3:22-24). In the Great Flood, God judged and destroyed all of humanity except Noah and his family for the earth’s widespread wickedness (Genesis 6-9). Throughout Israel’s history, God brought judgment like plagues, military defeat, exile, and destruction to punish their sin and unfaithfulness to His covenant.
While God judges, He is also patient and merciful, providing many warnings through His prophets before bringing judgment. Even His punishments have the goal of encouraging repentance and restoration. But Scripture also warns of a coming final Judgement, where God will punish evil, reward righteousness, and usher in His eternal kingdom (Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-15).
Ultimately, God alone has the perfect knowledge, wisdom, impartiality, and righteousness to judge humanity’s deeds and hearts. His judgments reflect His holiness and justice in dealing with good and evil.
The Redeemer
Despite humanity’s continual tendency to sin and rebel, the overarching story of the Bible is God’s work of redemption and salvation. After the Fall, God took initiative to provide covering for Adam and Eve’s shame (Genesis 3:21). He established a redemptive covenant with Abraham to bless all nations (Genesis 12:1-3).
God raised up Moses to deliver His people out of slavery in Egypt. The Old Testament sacrificial system provided a way for sins to be atoned for. God spoke through the prophets promising a coming Savior and renewal of all things.
Ultimately, God’s redemptive work culminates in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and promised Messiah. Jesus perfectly fulfilled God’s Law, died as an atoning sacrifice for sins, and was resurrected to defeat death (Mark 10:45; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Through faith in Christ, humans can be reconciled to God and receive eternal life (John 3:16). The book of Revelation depicts God making all things new and dwelling with His redeemed people forever (Revelation 21:1-5).
From start to finish, the Bible reveals God’s steadfast determination to redeem and restore humanity from the consequences of sin and evil. Even in judgment, God displays mercy. Above all, God represents perfect love and grace.
The Object of Worship
Worshiping God alone is a fundamental theme throughout Scripture. When asked to name the greatest commandment, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:5 – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Loving and worshiping God is the human purpose and highest duty.
The first two of the Ten Commandments require total allegiance to God, forbidding idolatry and misusing God’s name (Exodus 20:3-7). Worshiping false gods or idols instead of the one true God is the chief sin condemned throughout the Old Testament prophets. God demands exclusive devotion, not mere outward ritual. Jesus asserts that true worshipers worship God “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).
Revelation depicts the climax of history as all nations worshiping the Lamb, offering him exclusive praise and adoration for his glorious redemption (Revelation 7:9-12). The Triune God – Father, Son, and Spirit – stands alone as the only rightful object of worship, now and for eternity.
The Promise Keeper
From the first prophecy of Genesis 3:15 to the final prayer of Revelation 22:20, the Bible brims with promises God makes and keeps.
God promised Abram a great nation and land; he became Abraham, father of Israel (Genesis 12; 15; 17). God promised David an everlasting dynasty; Jesus came as Son of David (2 Samuel 7; Luke 1:32-33). The prophets foretold judgment for unfaithfulness and restoration with a coming Messiah – Jesus fulfilled both (Luke 4:17-21).
Jesus also made promises: to give rest to the weary (Matthew 11:28), to prepare a place for his followers (John 14:3), and to return to make all things new (Matthew 24:27-31). Revelation ensures God’s promises hold true, from the defeat of evil to the renewal of creation.
Because God is all-powerful, faithful, and true, His promises remain unshakable and trustworthy. For all who put faith in Christ, God promises the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and resurrection from the dead. God will complete the good work He began (Philippians 1:6). The Bible assures that no matter how circumstances appear, God’s promises never fail.
The Self-Revealer
The Bible is the story of God making Himself known to humanity. God reveals aspects of His nature, character, purposes, and will – first to Israel, and ultimately through Christ to all nations.
Unlike false idols and pagan gods, the God of the Bible is not indifferent or silent. From the beginning, God speaks, initiating relationship with Adam and Eve. God revealed His actions and plans to chosen prophets and apostles, inspiring Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
Above all, God took initiative to disclose Himself in Jesus, the very image and fullness of God in human form (John 1:14; Colossians 1:15-20). By walking among humanity in the person of Christ, God made Himself tangible and knowable. Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection all reveal God’s character and redemptive purposes.
Even after returning to heaven, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to continue revealing truth about God and empowering His church (John 14:25-26; Acts 1:8). The Bible exists because God purposefully disclosed Himself, inviting all people into relationship with their Creator.
The Object of Our Affections
Most fundamentally, the Bible presents God as someone to be loved and adored. The portrayal of God throughout Scripture aims to stir the affections. Images of God as loving Creator, mighty Redeemer, generous Father, faithful Friend, and gracious Savior evoke wonder, gratitude, reverence, and joy.
God made humans to find their supreme delight in Him. The Westminster Shorter Catechism summarizes the chief purpose of humanity as “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever” (Question 1). Augustine confessed God created our hearts restless until they find rest in Him. The Psalms overflow with poetic expressions of the soul’s thirst and satisfaction in God.
The Bible warns against merely intellectual knowledge of God without sincere love. Demons recognize God’s supremacy but refuse to love and obey Him (Luke 4:33-34; James 2:19). God calls His people to wholehearted devotion that overflows into obeying His commands (Deuteronomy 6:5; John 14:15). The Bible presents knowing God rightly as inseparable from loving and treasuring God supremely.
Conclusion
From beginning to end, the Bible reveals the one true living God who alone is worthy of worship. He is infinite yet intimate, transcendent yet immanent, all-powerful yet personal, holy yet gracious. God represents the supreme source and standard of truth, goodness, purpose, meaning, life, and love. He authored the human drama and will bring it to a good and glorious conclusion. God invites all people into eternal relationship through faith in Jesus Christ. He warrants our total allegiance, affection, and adoration.
| Name of God | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Yahweh | The proper name of God indicating self-existence and eternalness |
| El, Elohim | God, divine creator and ruler |
| El Elyon | God Most High |
| El Olam | The Everlasting God |
| El Shaddai | God Almighty |
| Adonai | Lord, Master |
| Yahweh Jireh | The Lord Will Provide |
| Yahweh Nissi | The Lord is My Banner |
| Yahweh Shalom | The Lord is Peace |
| Yahweh Sabbaoth | The Lord of Hosts |
| Yahweh Maccaddeshcem | The Lord your Sanctifier |
| Yahweh Ro’i | The Lord my Shepherd |
| Yahweh Tsidkenu | The Lord our Righteousness |
| Yahweh Shammah | The Lord is There |
| Qanna | Jealous |
| Jehovah Rapha | The Lord that Healeth |
