God is also referred to in the Old Testament as a refuge
God is also referred to in the Old Testament as a refuge
God is also referred to in the Old Testament as a refuge - a habitation rest, high tower, defence (CP De 33:27; 2Sam 22:3; Psa 9:9; 14:6; 91:2, 9), horn of salvation (CP 1Sam 2:1, 10; 2Sam 22:3; Psa 18:2). Jesus is the Horn of Salvation in the New Testament (CP Lu 1:69). God is symbolised as a fortress - a place of strength and safety (CP 1Sam 23:14, 19; Psa 18:2; 31:3; 91:2; 144:2; Jer 16:19; Nah 1:7). He is referred to as deliverer - who causes one to escape (CP 2Sam 22:1-2; Psa 18:2; 40:17; 70:5). He is symbolised as a high tower - a place so high as to be out of danger (CP 2Sam 22:3; Psa 18:2; 144:2), buckler - shield, defence (CP 2Sam 22:31; Psa 80:2; 91:4; Pr 2:7). God is also referred to as a refiner - the Lord's purifying work in His children; His chastening of His children (CP Job 23:10; Psa 66:10; Isa 48:10; Zech 13:9; Mal 3:3 with He 12:5-11), ancient of days (CP Dan 7:9, 13, 22). God's fatherhood is also figuratively referred to in the Old Testament (CP Ex 4:22; Psa 103:13; Jer 31:9; Hos 11:1). Father is the distinguishing title for God in the New Testament (CP Jn 6:27; Ro 1:7; 1Cor 1:3; 8:6; 2Cor 1:3). We see in 2Cor 1:3 here that God is called the Father of mercies. He is also called the Father of glory (CP Eph 1:17), and the Father of lights, referring to Him as the creator of the heavenly bodies: the sun, moon and stars (CP Jas 1:17).
It should be noted here in bringing this section of our study on the names of God to a close, that in the Old Testament God is also called the Holy One of Israel (CP Psa 71:22; 78:41; 89:18; Isa 5:19, 24; 48:17); the Lord God of Israel (CP 1Chr 29:10) and the Holy One of Jacob (CP Isa 2:23). His offices are that of Judge (CP Gen 18:25; De 32:36; Isa 33:22), Shepherd (CP Gen 49:24; Psa 23:1; 80:1; Isa 40:11), Saviour (CP 2Sam 22:3; Isa 43:3; 45:21), Redeemer (CP Psa 19:14; 78:35; Isa 43:14; 49:7), Creator (CP Ecc 12:1; Isa 40:28; 43:15), King (CP Isa 33:22; 41:21; 43:15; 44:6), Lawgiver (CP Isa 33:22; Jas 4:12). We see in all of the scriptures subject of this section of our study, that the truth of God's character is focused in His name. It reveals His power, authority and holiness.
Now to study the attributes of God. They are many but we will look at grace first because it is such an extensive teaching.
The word grace from the Greek word charis, properly speaking means that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, charm, sweetness, loveliness. It involves favour, goodwill, benevolence, loving-kindness, forgiveness, and mercy. In its Biblical setting grace signifies God's kindness and love for man (CP Tit 3:3-7). For New Testament Christians grace is synonymous with God's redemptive plan for fallen man manifest in the gift of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the blessings of salvation purchased through Christ's sacrificial death on the cross for the sins of all mankind, past, present and future. Hell-deserving sinners are saved by grace through faith in Christ's atoning death (CP Ro 5:1-2; Eph 1:3-7; 2:1-9).
The gospel of Christ is a gospel of grace (CP Ac 20:24, 32). Grace is God's mercy bestowed on the basis of His justice satisfied at the cross of Christ upon hell-deserving sinners who put their faith in Christ as the saviour who died for them (CP Ac 17:30-31; Ro 3:21-26; He 9:15; 1Jn 2:2). We learn from these passages of scripture that God's grace reaches back in time to His covenanted people under the law in the Old Testament - they too were saved by the atoning death of Christ in the New Testament. God merely suspended judgement for their sins until Jesus came and paid for them (CP Eph 1:3-4; 2Ti 1:8-10). God determined from all eternity to bestow His grace upon men through Christ's atoning death, which was prefigured by the sacrificial system under the Old Covenant. All who participated in the Old Covenant sacrificial system were vindicated by Christ's sacrificial death under the New Covenant (CP Gen 3:15 with He 9:11-16, 22-28; 10:1-4). They which are called in He 9:15 looks back to God's covenanted people in the Old Testament. We learn in 1Jn 2:2 that Christ's death was sufficient for all men. But it is only efficient for those under the New Covenant who believe on Him and obey Him (CP Mt 7:21-27; 12:30, 46-50; Jn 8:31, 51; Ac 3:19-26; Ro 2:13; Jas 1:22-25; 1Jn 5:2-3).
The first recorded instance in scripture of God's grace being bestowed is on Enoch in the Old Testament. He pleased God and was translated to heaven while still living (CP Gen 5:23-24; He 11:5). Next was Noah. God saved him and his family from the flood that destroyed everyone else living on earth at that time (CP Gen 6:8, 13-14, 18). God's grace is also revealed in the Old Testament in His covenant with Abraham (CP Gen 12:1-3; 15:16; 17:1-14). God's grace is also revealed in the Old Testament in His love for His chosen people, Israel (CP De 7:7-9; 8:18; 9:1-6). Regardless of how often Israel sinned against Him, God forgave them and He will restore them to their position of grace in the age to come (CP Jer 31:2-9; Zech 4:7; 12:10; Ro 11:1-5, 25-33). Grace is also revealed in the Old Testament in the power of the law to convert and restore sinners (CP Psa 19:7-11).