Chapter 3 - WHO IS THE TRUE GOD?

QUALITIES OF THE TRUE GOD

A study of Israel's deliverance from Egypt highlights four basic qualities that God possesses in perfect balance.  His dealings with Pharaoh revealed his awesome power.  (Exodus 9:16)  The masterful way God handled  that complex situation showed his matchless wisdom. (Romans 1:33) He revealed  his justice in meting out punishment to stubborn opposers and oppressors of his people.   (Deuteronomy 32:4)  A preeminent quality of god is love.  Jehovah showed outstanding love by fulfilling his promise respecting Abraham's  descendants.  (Deuteronomy 7:8)  He also sh owed love by allowing some Egyptians to forsake false gods and benefit greatly by taking their stand for the only true God.

As  you read the Bible, you will notice that love is God's principal attribute, and he demonstrates it in many ways.   For instance, it was out of love that he became a Creator and first shared the joy of life with spirit creatures.  Those hundreds of millions of angels love God and praise him.  (Job 38:4, 7; Daniel 7:10) God also showed love in creating the earth and preparing it for happy human existence. -Genesis 1:1, 26-28; Psalm 115:16.

We benefit from God's love in ways too numerous to mention.  For one thing. God has lovingly made our bodies in such a marvelous way that we can enjoy life.  (Psalm 139:14) His love is shown in that he provides  "rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling [our]hearts to the full with food and good cheer."  (Acts 14:17)   God even  "makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous."  (Matthew 5:45)  Love also moves our Creator to help us gain  the knowledge of God and serve him happily as his worshipers.  Indeed,  "God is love."  (1 John 4:8)  But there is much more to his personality.

Next time: "A GOD MERCIFUL AND GRACIOUS"

The Book - KNOWLEDGE That Leads To Everlasting Life, 1995