Conclusion of He Reveals What He Is Like

The Bible can also help us to come to know our Creator better in that it reveals his actions and reactions when dealing with ancient Israel. Consider an example involving Elisha and Naaman, the military chief of the hostile Syrians. As you read this account in 2 Kings chapter 5, you will see that a captive Israelite girl urged that Naaman's leprosy might be cured with help from Elisha in Israel. Naaman went there expecting Elisha to wave his hands in a mystical rite. Rather, Elisha told the Syrian to bathe in the Jordan River. Though Naaman's underlings had to convince him to comply, when he did, he was healed. Naaman proffered valuable gifts  which Elisha declined. Later an associate sneaked off to Naaman and by a lie got some valuables.  His dishonesty led to his being struck with leprosy. This is a fascinating, human account-one from which we can learn.

The account, in an appealing way, shows that the Grand Creator of the universe is not too lofty to note with favor a little girl, quite in contrast with the norm in many cultures today. It also proves that the Creator does not favor only one race or nation.  (Acts 10:34, 35) Interestingly, instead of expecting people  to use hocus-pocus-common with some "healers" of the past and present-the Creator displayed marvelous wisdom. He knew how to cure leprosy. He also manifested insight and justice in not permitting fraud to succeed. Again, is that not consistent  with Jehovah's personality that Moses heard about?  Though that Bible account is brief, how much can we detect from it about what our Creator is like! -Psalm 33:5; 37:28. 

Other accounts about Israel's ungrateful actions and God's response prove that Jehovah truly cares. The Bible says that the Israelites  put him to the test again and again, making him feel hurt and pained. (Psalm 78:40, 41) Hence, the Creator has feelings and he cares about what humans do. There is much to be learned, too, from accounts about well-known individuals. When David was chosen to be King of Israel, God told Samuel:  "Mere man sees what appears to the eyes; but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart is." (1 Samuel 16:7)  Yes, the Creator looks at what the we are inside, not the mere outward appearances.  How satisfying!

Thirty-nine of the Bible books were written before the time of Jesus, and it behooves us  to read them. This should not be merely to learn Bible accounts or history. If you really want to learn what our Creator is like, we should meditate on those accounts, perhaps thinking, 'What does this episode  bring to light about his personality?  Which of his qualities shine through here?' Doing so may help even skeptics to see what the Bible must be of divine origin, thus laying a basis for their coming to know its loving Author better. 

Next time: A Great Teacher Helps Us to Know the Creator  

From the Watchtower magazine, 1999