◄ The Unveiling of God - Character and Attributes of God (31) ►

STUDY - Character and Attributes of GOD 

Word of Men

“I Promise …”  “Trust me… ”   “Take my Word …”   “I wont let you down ….”    How quick we are to believe the friend, the boss, the parent who makes a commitment.

Broken Words

“I promise I’ll take you to the park tomorrow,” and then tomorrow comes and goes. “I’ll always be there for you, no matter,” then circumstances, feelings or life changes. How quick we are to believe that promise. How easy it is to break our word. How desperately hurt we feel.

Perception of God

How quick we are to translate painful happenings as a trait of God. How foolish we are to transfer human failings onto a perfect God. How obtuse to build perceptions of God, based the pain of life’s experiences, and yet we link the Word of God to the experiences of  ‘words’ that let us down. God (the powerful EL) is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that he should change His mind Num.23:19a. And the actions of God, (the strong powerful Elohim) always reflect His nature.

God’s nature

If we have an understanding of God’s nature we will trust His word. Without an understanding of God’s nature we will oscillate with instability.. often based on the broken promises and shattered lies made by imperfect man: but hath He said, and shall He not do it, or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good? Num.23:19b

Growing Understanding

God is ‘Incomprehensible,’ yet God is also wonderfully ‘Knowable.’  God is ‘Unfathomable,’ yet God chose to ‘reveal’ Himself to man – to unveil His character, little by little.. so our knowledge of Him might expand. First through El, as Elohim – the Strong, All-Powerful, Almighty God. And then he gently pushed the boundaries of their understanding (and ours).  El Shaddai (God Almighty).  El-elohe-Israel (The Mighty God of Israel).  El Elyon (God Most High – Possessor of Heaven and Earth)

Abraham’s Understanding

To Abraham and his seed forever He was El Shaddai (God Almighty). And when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect. Gen.17:1. To Abraham and his seed forever He was El-elohe-Israel, (The God of Israel), and he erected there an altar, and called it El-elohe-Israel” Gen.33:20 To Abraham and his seed forever He was El Elyon (God Most High), and Melchizedek of Salem was the priest of the Most-High God [El Elyon]” – and blessed him, and said, “Blessed be Abram of the Most-High God, possessor of heaven and earth” Gen 14:18

Others Understanding

And David sang praises to Elyon (the Most High) – I will sing praise to the name of the LORD [Yahweh], the Most-High [Elyon]” Psalm.7:17. And Isaiah taught the people that Elohim was Elohê Yisra’el (the God of Israel). I am God [El] and there is no other” Isa.45:22 – and I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord  [Yahweh], which call thee by thy name, I AM the God of Israel (Elohê Yisra’el)” Isa.45:3

Increased Understanding

The inexpressible, unknowable, unfathomable God started to unveil Himself, and men of faith, who trusted the strength of Elohim gained further disclosure. First, through His strong, all-powerful, almighty name …ELOHIM – God. Then, through His increasingly relational name, ADONAI– Master – Lord. First as the great God and defender of His own, and then as my Lord and my King and my Master.

Deeper Understanding

God chose to expand the depth of their understanding – the “WHO” He Is. This unknowable, unfathomable powerful almighty God.. Who stooped to show Himself to man. And Abram the friend of God, who believed God’s word said…. Adonai – Lord (My Master) …. what wilt thou give me? Gen 5:2 And Abraham, the man of faith, who trusted God’s word said… My Adonai – My Lord, (and Master) if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: Gen 18:3

More Understanding

And Moses the servant of the Lord, who trusted God’s word and said, O Adonai my Lord (Oh Adonai my Master), I am not eloquent. Gen 4:10  Men of faith- who trusted God’s word.. and little by little God unveiled Himself to their understanding. God is ‘incomprehensible’ – yet God is also wonderfully ‘knowable’. God is ‘unfathomable’ – yet God chose to ‘reveal’ Himself to man.

Growing in Understanding

The more we know Him – the more we understand Him. The more we understand Him – the more we trust Him. The more we trust Him – the more we love Him. The more we love Him – the more we know Him. For He first loved us, in eternity past, when He chose us to be His children.. and gave Himself for us – on Calvary’s tree, so that we might believe on Him and trust His word and become His bride.

Word of God

In His Word God said to all who believe in His name:- I promise …  Trust Me…  Take my Word …  I won't let you down …  And lo I Am with you always…. How important that we do trust Him, Who little by little is unveiling Himself to our understanding. Behind all our suffering is a Divine Purpose to show us that “My Grace Is Sufficient..”