The revelation of God's character is a central theme throughout the Bible, providing insight into His nature, attributes, and relationship with humanity. This revelation is progressive, unfolding from the Old Testament through the New Testament, and is ultimately embodied in the person of Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Revelation

In the Old Testament, God's character is revealed through His interactions with His creation and His covenant people, Israel. The foundational revelation of God's character is found in His self-disclosure to Moses in Exodus 34:6-7: "Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: 'The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.'"

This passage highlights several key attributes of God: His compassion, grace, patience, love, faithfulness, justice, and forgiveness. These attributes are consistently demonstrated throughout the narratives, laws, and prophecies of the Old Testament. For example, God's holiness is emphasized in Leviticus 19:2, where He commands His people to be holy as He is holy. His righteousness and justice are evident in His dealings with nations and individuals, as seen in the accounts of Noah, Abraham, and the prophets.

New Testament Revelation

The New Testament continues to reveal God's character, with a particular focus on His love and grace through the life and work of Jesus Christ. John 1:14 declares, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God's character, embodying His love, mercy, and truth.

In the teachings of Jesus, God's character is further illuminated. The parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) illustrates God's forgiving and compassionate nature. Jesus' interactions with sinners, such as the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11), reveal His grace and mercy. Moreover, Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross is the supreme demonstration of God's love, as stated in Romans 5:8: "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

The epistles also contribute to the understanding of God's character. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, emphasizes God's sovereignty, wisdom, and eternal purpose. Ephesians 1:11 speaks of God as one "who works out everything by the counsel of His will." The Apostle Peter highlights God's patience and desire for repentance in 2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance."

Attributes of God

The Bible reveals several attributes of God's character, which can be categorized as communicable and incommunicable. Communicable attributes are those that humans can reflect, such as love, mercy, and justice. In contrast, incommunicable attributes are unique to God, such as His omniscience, omnipotence, and immutability.

1. Love: God's love is unconditional and sacrificial, as demonstrated in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

2. Holiness: God's holiness sets Him apart from all creation. Isaiah 6:3 declares, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth."

3. Justice: God's justice ensures that righteousness prevails. Psalm 89:14 states, "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and truth go before You."

4. Sovereignty: God's sovereignty affirms His ultimate authority and control over all things. Daniel 4:35 proclaims, "All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: 'What have You done?'"

5. Faithfulness: God's faithfulness guarantees that He will fulfill His promises. Lamentations 3:22-23 assures, "Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!"

The revelation of God's character is foundational to understanding His interactions with humanity and His redemptive plan. Through Scripture, believers are invited to know God more deeply and to reflect His character in their lives.