Ihave always enjoyed and been inspired, comforted and challenged by the anthropomorphisms of the Old Testament, the manner in which the biblical authors attributed human characteristics and traits to God. We know that the full nature of the Divine is forever beyond human conception, and that the Bible clearly states, “I am God and not human.” But our psychology insists that we understand God as “somewhat human” so that we may more appreciate God’s divine love.
Such as, in Genesis 3, after Adam and Eve “knew that they were naked,” and after they had sewed fig leaves into aprons, God provides for them more durable garments: “And the LORD God made garments of skins for the man and for his wife and clothed them.” This is a beautiful metaphor of a caring Deity.
And still in the early pages of the Bible, when Noah had built the ark and the heavens were opened and the rains fell, I can just see the powerful, human-shaped hand of God on the door of the ark, assisting Noah and the animals. They all went into the ark “and the LORD shut them in.”
A page or two further we read about the tower of Babel when humankind built the first city and attempted to build the world’s first skyscraper. “The LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built. So the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of the earth.”
In Exodus 31, God gives to Moses the Ten Commandments. Then we read, “When God finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.” A giant finger didn’t really come out of the clouds and etch the stones, but the anthropomorphism helps the Bible reader better understand the will and actions of God.
As f reelance wr iter Candice Lucey explains, “Anthropomorphism satisfi es the Christian’s need for a frame of reference. Readers filter language through the boundaries of experimental understanding, recognizing arms, hands, legs, and their functions. We have no other way to describe the Lord than by human characteristics and behaviors.”
I would like to share with you one more example of Divine anthropomorphism to encourage you when encouragement is so needed. It is also an example of childlike faith, a faith that Jesus said is required in God’s kingdom.
The story is told of a Christian widow who lived in Scotland. With several children in the home, it was extremely difficult for her to provide food and clothing for her household. Through it all, she lived close to the Lord and lovingly taught her children to put their confidence in Him. The day finally came when the purse was empty and the pantry depleted. Only a handful of flour remained in the big barrel. The mother reached down into the container to scrape up the last bit in order to make some bread for her hungry little ones. As she bent over the barrel, her faith began to waver, and she could hold back the tears no longer. Her little son Robbie heard her sobs and began tugging at her dress till she lifted her head and looked into his questioning eyes. In his Scottish dialect he asked, “Mither, what are ye weepin’ aboot? Dinna God hear ye scrapin’ the bottom o’ the barrel?”
When your faith begins to waver, remember that the Word became flesh for a reason; and go out singing the lyrics of Austin Miles: “And he walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am his own.”
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.