Monthly Study
September 2023Who is God?
Images of God in the Old Testament
With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him?—Isaiah 40:18
Every day we are flooded by images—on social media, television, even the grocery store shelves. We are visually oriented people. Perhaps that is why the Bible uses pictures to communicate who God is. This month, we will examine images of God in the Old Testament. We’ll consider how God is compared to a rock, fortress, shield, light, warrior, and physician (to name just a few). We will answer the question: Who is God? It is my prayer that through this study, we will:
- Train our imagination to think about God biblically
- Deepen our relationship with our heavenly Father
- Be inspired to communicate the truth about who God is
Your devotional author,
Ryan J. Cook
Volume 36Edition 9
Managing Editor: Jamie Janosz, Senior Editor: Elena Mafter, Contributing Editor: John Koessler, Writer: Ryan Cook, Art Director: Lynn Gabalec, Graphic Designer: Rachel Hutcheson, Marketing & Production: Paul B. Currie
About the Author
Devotional Calendar
Podcasts
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Images of God
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“The LORD is my shepherd.” Psalm 23 contains one of the most famous images of God in the Bible. In the original language, the phrase is only two words long. Yet, it would take a whole book to fully unpack its depth of meaning.
September 1, 2023
God as Light
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Did you know that the Bible begins and ends with references to light? Light was the first thing God created (Gen. 1:3). In Revelation 22:5, we learn that when we are reunited with Jesus all traces of darkness will finally be gone: “There will be no more night.
September 2, 2023
God as Refuge
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We all remember childhood games where there was a “safe” place. If you got to it, you could not be tagged or pursued. As adults we look to many things for security. When facing difficulty, we turn to our family, our friends, or even the comfort of our home.
September 3, 2023
God as Water
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Water is one of our most basic needs. Without it, our bodies quickly break down. Yet, it is very easy to take it for granted. When I get home from work, my wife has never asked me, “Did you get enough water to drink today?” It just doesn’t seem that important. However, if I did not have easy access to water, it would quickly become an obsession.
September 4, 2023
God as Rock
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Looking back on his life, David must have been amazed at all the trials he had endured and how much he had accomplished. He began his journey as a humble shepherd, went on to face the giant Goliath, served in Saul’s court, became a fugitive living in the wilderness, worked as a hired soldier for the Philistines, and ultimately ascended to the throne of Israel. In 2 Samuel 22, David reflects on a time when God delivered him from Saul. Although he may have composed this poem shortly after the event, it is included at this point in the book to provide a fitting summary of David’s relationship with God.
September 5, 2023
God as Fire
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Can you imagine a world without fire? Fire provides us with light in the dark and warmth in the cold. Fire enables us to cook food, refine metals, and power a car. Yet, fire is also dangerous. It can destroy homes and cities. The ancient Greek culture highlighted the importance of fire by naming it as one of the four basic elements along with water, air, and earth.
September 6, 2023
God as Shield
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When you think of a shield, what comes to mind? Superheroes? Knights of the Round Table? In Genesis 15, God describes Himself as “a shield.” Abram had just rescued his nephew Lot along with the other residents of Sodom and Gomorrah from a group of marauding kings (Gen. 14:1–24). This was a stunning military achievement for a man who was not an experienced warrior. Clearly, God had been at work. Yet, the victory put Abram in a vulnerable position. He had made enemies. Remember that he was not living among his own people and could not count on the support of those around him.
September 7, 2023
God as a Strong Tower
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Have you ever heard of someone who lives in an “ivory tower”? That kind of image is often used to describe someone who is out of touch with reality. While they might be highly educated, they lack first-hand life experience.
September 8, 2023
God as Lion
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So far in our study, we have reflected on objects that are used as metaphors for God. God has been compared to light, a refuge, water, a rock, fire, a shield, and a strong tower. Today and for the next few days we will examine passages that compare God to an animal.
September 9, 2023
God as Eagle
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Did you know that Benjamin Franklin once proposed that a turkey should represent the United States on our national seal? Most Americans are probably grateful that instead, in 1782, the bald eagle was selected to adorn the Great Seal. The eagle has been a symbol of power and strength from ancient times.
September 10, 2023
God as Parental Bird
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A baby bird is entirely dependent on its parents for survival. The tiny creature lacks the ability to procure food or defend itself, even against the least agile predators. For safety a baby bird relies on its parents. In the face of danger, many bird species will shield their young by covering them with their wings, safeguarding them from predators or inclement weather.
September 11, 2023
God as Bear
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The largest bear species in the world is the polar bear. Male polar bears can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and stand up to 9 feet 10 inches tall! While ancient Israel did not have any polar bears, they did have a respect and fear of a bear’s power.
September 12, 2023
God as Shepherd: Part 1
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What animal is mentioned most often in the Bible? If you guessed “sheep,” you are right! Sheep were an important part of the economy of ancient Israel. It is no surprise that many biblical characters spent at least some of their life as shepherds, including Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Moses, David, and Amos.
September 13, 2023
God as Shepherd: Part 2
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Did you know that there are over a billion sheep on the earth today? In New Zealand, sheep outnumber people five to one! Humans have a long history of tending sheep. Since sheep are naturally defenseless against predators, they tend to be nervous and easily frightened.
September 14, 2023
God as King: Part 1
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There is almost nothing worse than working for a bad leader, in a workplace filled with confusion, mistrust, and frustration. On the other hand, when we work for a good leader, even the most difficult job can seem bearable.
September 15, 2023
God as King: Part 2
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“It is legal because I want it,” King Louis XVI said. This quote embodies the attitude of monarchs throughout history. And while the Bible recognizes the authority of human kings and rulers, God is the King of kings! Any human king is under God’s authority.
September 16, 2023
God as Potter
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Many people dream of being an archaeologist like Indiana Jones, discovering lost treasures from the ancient world. However, actual archaeological digs are usually not so spectacular.
September 17, 2023
God as Builder
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On May 1, 1931, the Empire State Building opened to great fanfare. At the time, it was the largest building in the world. The construction involved over 3,500 workers and took three years to complete.
September 18, 2023
God as Warrior
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Throughout its history, Israel was in an almost constant state of warfare. During the events described in the Old Testament, they were attacked by the Egyptians, Philistines, Moabites, Assyrians, and Babylonians—to name just a few enemies. In such a dangerous world, warriors were both common and necessary.
September 19, 2023
God as Judge
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Several years ago, I had a student in class who was old enough to be my father. Over the course of the semester, I got to know him and hear his story. He was originally from Cambodia.
September 20, 2023
God as Farmer
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In 1935, the United States had 6.8 million farms. Today, while approximately the same amount of land is used for farming, the number of farms has decreased to about 2 million.
September 21, 2023
God as Vineyard Owner
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There is nothing quite like the taste of fresh grapes. They are sweet, juicy, and refreshing. I don’t have first-hand experience of growing grapes, but I’ve been told it can be a fickle crop that needs constant attention.
September 22, 2023
God as Teacher
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Imagine a classroom. What comes to mind? As a college professor, I picture desks in rows, a whiteboard, and a podium in the front. Education in ancient Israel was a bit different. There were no classrooms.
September 23, 2023
God as Physician
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The first step toward healing is recognizing that you are sick. Aspiring medical students are often counseled to minor in psychology. The reason for this is that treating someone medically involves more than simply diagnosing diseases and prescribing treatments.
September 24, 2023
God as Gardener
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Gardeners will tell you that getting your hands dirty and caring for plants can be therapeutic. During the darkest days of the American Revolution, George Washington took his mind off the war by drawing up elaborate plans for his gardens back home.
September 25, 2023
God as Artist
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Michelangelo was perhaps the greatest sculptor in history. When asked to describe his craft, he said, “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.”
September 26, 2023
God as Parent: Part 1
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Some people struggle with the biblical image of God as a father. Their experience of a human father has made the idea of God as a father unappealing. It is true that human fathers are often far from perfect.
September 27, 2023
God as Parent: Part 2
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The most common parental image of God in the Bible is as a father. In Scripture, God is never called mother. The authors of Scripture are intentional about how they use language and so we should respect that omission.
September 28, 2023
God as Husband
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If someone tells a married couple they are acting like newlyweds, it is a compliment. Why? Because newlyweds are so infatuated with one another that they see only good things in the relationship.
September 29, 2023
Knowing God
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Pastor A. W. Tozer wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” This is a profoundly true statement.
September 30, 2023