A Study in the Expression of God

by NR JOHNSON

Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.

Those two names often create a whimsical smile and inner delight at the thought of Jane Austen’s classic tale, Pride and Prejudice.

While most of us have graced its pages and watched its movie adaptations (no doubt countless times), we must remember that the book’s title is a reflection of the inner character of its two main characters.

Mr. Darcy is prideful. Elizabeth is prejudiced. Or at least that misunderstanding is where the tension of the book is seen. Elizabeth, intelligent with strong opinions, is quick to condemn Mr. Darcy and finds him cold, stubborn, and prideful. And yet, throughout the book, we find that Mr. Darcy is actually kind and compassionate, and eventually Elizabeth Bennet finds her judgment and bias softened and replaced by respect and a deep affection for Mr. Darcy.

What we find in Austen’s classic romantic comedy is that the character of the individuals drives the storyline.

Character is the qualities and attributes of an individual that make them distinctive. For example, someone who never lies, goes above and beyond what is asked, and has impeccable integrity has a vastly different character than someone who gives constant excuses for everything and never takes responsibility for their actions.

We all have character, and our decisions each day will either change or reinforce it.

We probably don’t realize how much character affects our thinking and actions — both our own and those around us. If our friend is never on time to meet for coffee, it says something about their character, and we don’t trust them when they say, “Let’s meet at 8:00 a.m.” Whether positive or negative, a person’s character influences how we relate to them.

This becomes especially important in our understanding of and relationship with God.

Throughout Scripture, God continually reveals His character — through His Names, words, promises, and actions. He wants us to know who He is and how He will act in certain situations.

Over and over in Scripture, God tells His people to remember what He did in the past so they would trust Him in the present.

When I know that God is my Refuge and Protector, I can trust Him even when my city is surrounded and about to be destroyed by her enemies. (See Psalm 46:1–2 and Jeremiah 16:19.) God’s past actions are a reminder of His present faithfulness.

But God doesn’t reveal His character merely for information or the sake of knowledge, His character changes the way we relate and interact with Him. If He was merely a God of hellfire and judgment, I would draw back from Him; but if He is a God of love, it would compel me to draw near. His justice means that I can trust Him. His mercy means I have hope. His goodness means I am blessed. His holiness means I too must be pure and righteous to stand in His presence. His character influences my intimacy with Him.

To take it one step further, God’s character not only reveals who He is and how I relate to Him, but it also unveils what He desires to do in my life. I am called to be Christlike through the indwelling life of the Holy Spirit — which means He wants to form His life and character within me. 

A classic example is the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23. When you read through the list, you discover that these are the natural outflow of the Spirit in the lives of believers. If I desire these fruits to be evident in my life, I need Him to produce these in me as I abide in Him. (See John 15:5.) God doesn’t give me a little love or joy or peace … He is those things. (See 1 John 4:8, Psalm 16:11, and Ephesians 2:14.) Jesus is my love, Jesus is my joy, He is my peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control — because He is the fullness of each of those character qualities. Because He is love, He wants my life to be full of and showcase His love. Because He is the Prince of Peace, my life is to experience and demonstrate the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. Our world should know who our God is because they see His life and character within us.

As we read and study the Bible, it is important to look for these four key things related to God’s character:

How does God reveal Himself to His people (His character and attributes)?

How does His character influence the way we relate to and interact with Him?

How is this attribute seen in the life of Jesus (God in the flesh)?

What does God desire to change in our lives in order to demonstrate His life to the world?

Put It Into Practice

In this eight-week Bible study guide, I want us to examine God’s character and look specifically for those four things listed previously. I invite you to dive deep and join me on this exciting journey of saturating in God’s Word to know Him more. Though this guide may appear simple, it has the potential to radically change your life as you seek to grow in intimacy with Christ through His Word. Know I am praying for you and cheering you on into the endless depths of Jesus and His Word.

WEEK ONE: See the Big Picture

Before we spend time looking at specific attributes of God, let’s step back and see a larger view of what God reveals about Himself to us. For this week, I encourage you to read and ponder all the passages listed and make a list of the different attributes and descriptions of God’s character.

Passages to Ponder:

Genesis 1:1; 17:1; Numbers 23:19; Deuteronomy 4:24–31; 7:9; 20:1–4; 32:4; Joshua 1:8–9; 1 Samuel 2:2; 16:7; 2 Samuel 22:26–37; Job 11:7–11; Psalm 18:30; 24:8; 25:8; 33:6; 34:8; 40:10; 50:6; 62:8; 68:19–20; 84:11–12; 139:7–10; 145:8, 17; 147:5; Isaiah 40:28; 46:9–10; Jeremiah 10:12; Micah 7:18–19; Habakkuk 3:4; Malachi 3:6; Matthew 5:48; 6:25–34; John 3:16; 4:24; 5:26; 14:6; 17:24; Romans 3:24; 5:8; 9:15–16; 11:33; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 5:22–23; Ephesians 2:4–5; 3:20; Colossians 1:17; 1 Timothy 1:17; 6:15–16; 2 Timothy 2:13; Hebrews 1:3; 4:16; 6:17–18; 13:8; James 1:17; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 1:5; 4:8, 16; Revelation 4:8.

WEEK TWO: God is Merciful (Compassionate)

One of my favorite passages in the Old Testament is Exodus 34:5–7. God reveals Himself to Moses upon the mountain and declares His nature. In the next several weeks, we are going to examine the five character attributes that God Himself reveals in the passage. The first is mercy, sometimes translated as compassion.

Read Exodus 34:5–7 several times.

The Hebrew word translated “merciful” or “compassion” is related to the Hebrew word for “womb” (giving the idea of the center or core of a person) and paints the picture of the compassion and deep emotion a mother has for her vulnerable baby. (See Isaiah 49:15.) Often throughout Scripture, this word conveys the idea of actions motivated by emotion (i.e. deeply moved).

Read the following passages and consider them in light of God’s character: Exodus 33:19; Deuteronomy 4:31; 2 Kings 13:23; Nehemiah 9:17, 31; Psalm 78:38; 86:15; 103:13; 111:4; 116:5; Isaiah 30:18; 49:13; 54:8, 10; Joel 2:13; Micah 7:19. 

What do we learn from these passages about God’s mercy and compassion?

Does this attribute change the way we understand, approach, or relate to God? If so, how?

How does this character attribute find its fulfillment in Jesus? Is there a time in the life of Jesus where we see this attribute demonstrated or taught? (To get started see Matthew 14:14; 23:37; Mark 6:34; and Luke 10:25–37.)

How does this attribute of God affect the way I live? Is there anything in my own life or character that needs to change in light of knowing this attribute?

WEEK THREE: God is Gracious

Have you ever received something good you didn’t deserve? A gift, a kind word, or mercy instead of judgment? That is the underlying idea behind “gracious.” This is an amazing attribute of God — that He is ready and willing to show kindness and favor, even if it isn’t deserved. This can be seen clearly in our passage of Exodus 34. Right before God declares His character in our passage, the Israelites who just escaped the chains of Egypt reject God and create a golden calf to worship. (See Exodus 32.) Moses breaks the stone tablet with the Ten Commandments and now returns up the mountain to get the new stone tablets and hears God declare that He is gracious. The Israelites deserve judgment and punishment, yet God says He is gracious.

Read Exodus 34:5–7 several times.

The Hebrew word “gracious” comes from the idea of grace or favor and often is connected to the idea of favor or a gift given with delight. It also conveys the idea of overlooking what someone rightfully deserves (usually punishment) and giving them favor, mercy, or grace. For example, Jacob steals Esau’s birthright and blessing, and he runs. Years later, upon returning, Jacob asks Esau not to condemn him but to show favor. (See Genesis 33:8.) This word appears 40 times in the Psalms with people crying out to God in sickness, danger, or exile. In the New Testament, it is usually translated as “grace” and appears over 150 times. And remember, this word is connected to the idea of a gift, which means it must be received to be experienced.

Read the following passages and consider them in light of God’s character: Genesis 33:5; Exodus 22:27; Numbers 6:25; 2 Chronicles 30:9; Nehemiah 9:17, 31; Esther 4:8; Job 8:5–6; Psalm 4:1; 9:13; 25:16; 30:8; 51:1; 86:15; 111:4; 112:4; 116:5; Isaiah 30:18; Joel 2:13; Amos 5:15; Luke 1:30; 2:40, 52; John 1:16–17; 2 Thessalonians 3:18; Titus 2:11; Hebrews 4:16.

What do we learn from these passages about God’s grace?

Does this attribute change the way we understand, approach, or relate to God? If so, how?

How does this character attribute find its fulfillment in Jesus? Is there a time in the life of Jesus where we see this attribute demonstrated or taught?

How does this attribute of God affect the way I live? Is there anything in my own life or character that needs to change in light of knowing this attribute? (To get started see Romans 3:24; 1 Corinthians 15:57; Ephesians 2:1–10; 4:7; and Colossians 1:6; 4:6.)

WEEK FOUR: God is Slow to Anger

Culture makes God out to be mean, nasty, and always ready to punish people. Yet, God Himself says that He is “slow to anger.” In the Hebrew expression, when someone is angry, the statement is that their “nose burned hot.” (For example, see Potiphar’s anger against Joseph in Genesis 39:19, usually translated as “anger was kindled.”) The attribute God declares to Moses in Exodus 34 is that He is “long of nose” or perhaps better understood as “slow to anger” or “slow for my face to get hot with anger” or “long-suffering” or simply “patient.” Sure, we see God’s anger revealed in Scripture (always an expression of His love and justice) but He is clear that He is patient and gives people time to repent and change. If God didn’t get angry at injustice or sin, He wouldn’t be good or loving, yet despite His anger at evil, He desires all humanity to repent and be transformed — so He is patient or “slow to anger.” (See Romans 2:1–4, 1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9, and Revelation 2:21.)

• Read Exodus 34:5–7 several times.
• Read the following passages and consider them in light of God’s character: Numbers 14:18; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:15; Proverbs 14:29; 16:32; Jeremiah 15:15; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; Nahum 1:3; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 5:22.
• What do we learn from these passages about God’s patience?
• Does this attribute change the way we understand, approach, or relate to God? If so, how?
• How does this character attribute find its fulfillment in Jesus? Is there a time in the life of Jesus where we see this attribute demonstrated or taught?
• How does this attribute of God affect the way I live? Is there anything in my own life or character that needs to change in light of knowing this attribute?

WEEK FIVE: God is Hesed

This is perhaps my favorite Hebrew word and one of my favorite meditations. “Hesed” has profound depth and can legitimately be translated nearly 80 different ways — foremost being: love, kindness, steadfast love, loyalty, favor, mercy, faithfulness, goodness, gracious, generosity, devotion, enduring commitment or covenant, and beauty. Quite a range of meaning! 

My favorite definition of “hesed” is, “when the person from whom I have a right to expect nothing gives me everything.”¹ This word shows up in the Old Testament nearly 250 times (127 of those are in Psalms). This word became central to Israelite worship in the following phrase that showed up dozens of times: “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His [hesed] endures forever!” Hesed becomes a centerpiece of God’s character that is later demonstrated throughout Jesus’ life and teaching (in the New Testament, this concept is often translated as “mercy”).

• Read Exodus 34:5–7 several times.
• Read the following passages and consider them in light of God’s character: Genesis 32:10; 39:21; Exodus 15:13; 20:6; Numbers 14:10, 18–19; Deuteronomy 7:9; 2 Samuel 22:51; 1 Kings 8:23; 1 Chronicles 16:34; Ezra 3:11; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 6:4; 17:7; 21:7; 23:6; 25:10; 33:5, 18, 22; 40:11; 51:1; 59:10; 63:3; 89:14; 98:3; 103:4, 8, 11, 17; Psalm 136 (notice that hesed appears in every verse!); Proverbs 3:3; Isaiah 54:8–10; 63:7; Jeremiah 9:24; Lamentations 3:21–23, 32; Daniel 9:4; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; Micah 6:8; Luke 6:36; 18:13; 2 Timothy 2:13; Hebrews 2:17; 8:12; James 5:11.
• What do we learn from these passages about God’s hesed?
• Does this attribute change the way we understand, approach, or relate to God? If so, how?
• How does this character attribute find its fulfillment in Jesus? Is there a time in the life of Jesus where we see this attribute demonstrated or taught?
• How does this attribute of God affect the way I live? Is there anything in my own life or character that needs to change in light of knowing this attribute?

WEEK SIX: God is Faithful (True)

Relationship is important to God and we see His interaction and redemptive pursuit of humanity upon every page of Scripture. As such, it’s important to recognize that when God declares His character, He reveals Himself as a relational God — explaining that in His relationship with His people He will always be faithful and true. He cannot lie which means when He promises, it will always come to pass; He is faithful. (See Numbers 23:19 and Hebrews 6:18.) There is no falsehood or shadow within our God — He is unchanging, He is light, and He doesn’t merely have truth but is the Truth. (See John 14:6, Hebrews 13:8, James 1:17, and 1 John 1:5.) This is such a part of God’s character that in Revelation 19:11, Jesus’ Name is literally called “Faithful and True.”

Read Exodus 34:5–7 several times.

The Hebrew word used here conveys the idea of firmness, trustworthiness, constancy, duration, faithfulness, reliability, permanence, honesty, and truth. This word is often paired with hesed and emphasizes God’s reliability to fulfill His promises. God is always faithful and abounds in truth — He can be trusted and relied upon in any and every circumstance. Every story, promise, and prophecy in Scripture is a declaration that God’s character is faithful and true.

Read the following passages and consider them in light of God’s character: Genesis 24:27; Deuteronomy 7:9; Joshua 24:14; 2 Samuel 7:28; Psalm 19:9; 25:5, 10; 26:3; 31:5; 40:11; 43:3; 51:6; 85:10; 86:15; 89:14; 91:4; 119:160; Isaiah 16:5; 61:8; Jeremiah 10:10; Lamentations 3:21–22; John 1:14; 17:17; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 1:6; 1 John 1:9.

• What do we learn from these passages about God’s faithfulness?
• Make a list of examples throughout the Bible that show God’s faithfulness to His people.
• Does this attribute change the way we understand, approach, or relate to God? If so, how?
• How does this character attribute find its fulfillment in Jesus? Is there a time in the life of Jesus where we see this attribute demonstrated or taught?
• How does this attribute of God affect the way I live? Is there anything in my own life or character that needs to change in light of knowing this attribute?

WEEK Seven + Eight: Try it Yourself

Go back to the list of Scriptures from week one and choose an attribute you listed to focus on. Examine what the Bible has to say about that attribute and answer the following questions. I encourage you to study a different attribute for weeks seven and eight.

• What attribute(s) of God is revealed in the passage? What is God telling us about who He is? 
• Does this attribute change the way we understand, approach, or relate to God? If so, how?
• Where else in Scripture is this attribute talked about or demonstrated?
• How does this character attribute find its fulfillment in Jesus? Is there a time in the life of Jesus where we see this attribute demonstrated or taught?
• How does this attribute of God affect the way I live? Is there anything in my own life or character that needs to change in light of knowing this attribute? 

Tip: In order to find other passages with that attribute, use a Bible concordance or an online resource like blueletterbible.org and type in the word or a variation of it (i.e. mercy, merciful, compassion, etc.) to pull up verses with that word. Obviously not every reference will be helpful but you should be able to read through and find several key passages.

Go Deeper: Take your study of God’s attributes and character deeper by reading A. W. Tozer’s excellent books: The Knowledge of the Holy and The Attributes of God.