There are many anthropomorphic phrases (attributes of God spoken of in human terms) used of God in the Bible. Why, if God is a spirit (John 4:24), would He be described in human terms? One very important answer to this question is that that is the only way we as human beings can understand.

God is described as having actions that are familiar to humans: He speaks (Gen. 2:6), He hears (Exo. 2:24), He remembers (Gen. 8:21), He walks (Lev. 26:12), He smells (Gen. 8:21), He tastes (Psa. 11:4,5), and He has a nose (Deut. 33:10).

The works of God are ascribed to Him in human terms: He is a builder (Heb. 11:10), a shepherd (Psa. 23:1), a bridegroom (Isa. 61:10), and a husbandman (John 15:1).

God is also said to have emotions that are often characteristic of human beings: grief (Psa. 78:40), anger (Jer. 7:18,19), joy (Isa. 62:5), vengeance (Deut. 32:35, wrath (Psa. 2:5), love (John 3:16), and rejoicing (Isa. 65:19.

These terms are used so that we may know those things about God that it is necessary for us to know. God is a person who does certain things from within His own power, and for the good of our world.

Let us be thankful that we have such a great God, and that He has revealed himself to man, and that his revelation is complete in Jesus Christ. It is because we, as human beings, can understand, that we can know what to do, and therefore have salvation.

The main focus of our life is to put this God first in our lives. Both Genesis one and the first of the ten commandments put God first. There is a good reason for this. Men tend to be like the God in which they believe. It is of first necessity that we get the idea of God right because we become like the God we worship.

If a man worships a licentious god like the Baals of the O.T., he will become licentious in his thinking and actions. If one worships a hard, stern god, than one is apt to become a hard, stern person. If we sentimentalize God, then we have a sentimentalized religion. The kind of god we believe in and worship will make a difference in the kind of life we live, and whether we keep the commandments of God. A man’s god dictates his ethics and his conduct.

We have many false gods today. William Jennings Bryan’s list included: gold, fashion, fame, ease, intellect, travel, war, passion, chance, and drink. John Stacy, in his book on the Ten Commandments, lists the following modern day gods: nature, health, sports, knowledge, pleasure, popularity, wealth, man, self. Other lists might include children, rivers, lakes, mountains, cows, crocodiles and the heavenly bodies.

Only one is the right claimant of man’s inner throne – almighty God. Away with all false gods! They are enemies of the soul. They take away serenity and true joy. Services to them leads to unhappiness and death. The first commandment is still “You shall not have any other gods in place of me.” (Exo. 2:3)

– Max Patterson, 4438 South 89^th Road, Bolivar, MO 65613-8012