What Does God Look Like in the Bible?
When looking at the Bible, you may wonder what God looks like. Some might assume He looks like an old father, while others think of God as a consuming fire or light. There are, however, two Bible verses that point to God looking like a human.
God is a fatherly old man
In the Bible, God is referred to as a father. His relationship with us is intimate, just like that of a father and son. Only believers can enter into such a relationship. This relationship begins through the new birth, when an individual places faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Son.
The word “father” is often used in the Bible to describe God in relation to his people, including Abraham and his sons. The use of the word “father” to describe God shows that he is a loving and protective father. His actions were also examples of fatherly qualities. For example, God called Abraham to make the nation of Israel and led Jacob and his family to Egypt.
God is eager to protect his faithful children against their enemies as a father. His words in Isaiah 63:8b show this. He is “their salvation in their distress” and “from all their oppression.” God promised that he would be with his people in their trouble, but in their anger, they rebelled against him, remembering the mighty deeds of Moses.
The image of God as a fatherly old man has a long history in the Orthodox Church. Paintings of God as an old man are quite common. By the 18th and 19th centuries, there were hundreds of such icons. They are found in cathedrals, monasteries, and homes throughout Eastern Orthodox countries. So, whether you’re Catholic or Eastern Orthodox, you can find an icon of God the Father in the Bible.
He is a consuming light
The Bible makes several references to God as a consuming light. The first two occur in Deuteronomy 4:24 and 9:3. The writer of the Hebrews uses the word to remind the Hebrews of the need to worship the LORD with awe and reverence. The word “consuming” is translated from the Greek and Hebrew words for fire, which refer to a burning flame that consumes and destroys.
This description of God is not only about judgment but also about his great power and glory. The presence of God is powerful, consuming, and compassionate. This description of God can’t be overstated. Ultimately, God is our ultimate judge. When we reject God, we will face his judgment.
God is the source of all light. It is His word that created it. God is the light, and light reflects Him. The Bible speaks of God as the source of all light. In the Old Testament, God is associated with light, salvation, goodness, truth, life, and the commandments of the LORD.
The New Testament describes the holiness of God in various ways. For example, Jesus calls God the “Father of lights” and “dwells in unapproachable light.” The Lord Jesus Christ is also called the light of the world. The apostle John often writes about Jesus Christ as a light, and this statement applies to him as the true light.
The Bible says that God is a jealous God. Therefore, he tends to remove obstacles in his path of love. And because God is so jealous, he tends to be angry. But this jealousy is beneficial because it keeps us focused on His purpose and love.
The Bible also uses the word “fire” to describe God. In the Old Testament, priests would bring an offering to the Lord, and God would consume it with His fire. A burning flame symbolizes His holiness. And God is the one who judges us. If we are not repentant of our sins, we will be consumed by Him in eternity.
The Bible teaches that God provided the light at the beginning of creation. He also made the electromagnetic spectrum. This light may have manifested His glory. It may have been the first light to shine upon the earth. But the Bible does not teach that God’s light is the same as the sun.
What Does God Look Like in the Bible?
When looking at the Bible, you may wonder what God looks like. Some might assume He looks like an old father, while others think of God as a consuming fire or light. There are, however, two Bible verses that point to God looking like a human.
God is a fatherly old man
In the Bible, God is referred to as a father. His relationship with us is intimate, just like that of a father and son. Only believers can enter into such a relationship. This relationship begins through the new birth, when an individual places faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Son.
The word “father” is often used in the Bible to describe God in relation to his people, including Abraham and his sons. The use of the word “father” to describe God shows that he is a loving and protective father. His actions were also examples of fatherly qualities. For example, God called Abraham to make the nation of Israel and led Jacob and his family to Egypt.
God is eager to protect his faithful children against their enemies as a father. His words in Isaiah 63:8b show this. He is “their salvation in their distress” and “from all their oppression.” God promised that he would be with his people in their trouble, but in their anger, they rebelled against him, remembering the mighty deeds of Moses.
The image of God as a fatherly old man has a long history in the Orthodox Church. Paintings of God as an old man are quite common. By the 18th and 19th centuries, there were hundreds of such icons. They are found in cathedrals, monasteries, and homes throughout Eastern Orthodox countries. So, whether you’re Catholic or Eastern Orthodox, you can find an icon of God the Father in the Bible.
He is a consuming light
The Bible makes several references to God as a consuming light. The first two occur in Deuteronomy 4:24 and 9:3. The writer of the Hebrews uses the word to remind the Hebrews of the need to worship the LORD with awe and reverence. The word “consuming” is translated from the Greek and Hebrew words for fire, which refer to a burning flame that consumes and destroys.
This description of God is not only about judgment but also about his great power and glory. The presence of God is powerful, consuming, and compassionate. This description of God can’t be overstated. Ultimately, God is our ultimate judge. When we reject God, we will face his judgment.
God is the source of all light. It is His word that created it. God is the light, and light reflects Him. The Bible speaks of God as the source of all light. In the Old Testament, God is associated with light, salvation, goodness, truth, life, and the commandments of the LORD.
The New Testament describes the holiness of God in various ways. For example, Jesus calls God the “Father of lights” and “dwells in unapproachable light.” The Lord Jesus Christ is also called the light of the world. The apostle John often writes about Jesus Christ as a light, and this statement applies to him as the true light.
The Bible says that God is a jealous God. Therefore, he tends to remove obstacles in his path of love. And because God is so jealous, he tends to be angry. But this jealousy is beneficial because it keeps us focused on His purpose and love.
The Bible also uses the word “fire” to describe God. In the Old Testament, priests would bring an offering to the Lord, and God would consume it with His fire. A burning flame symbolizes His holiness. And God is the one who judges us. If we are not repentant of our sins, we will be consumed by Him in eternity.
The Bible teaches that God provided the light at the beginning of creation. He also made the electromagnetic spectrum. This light may have manifested His glory. It may have been the first light to shine upon the earth. But the Bible does not teach that God’s light is the same as the sun.