1. God is faithful. God keeps his promises and fulfills his covenant with his people. He promised to bless David and his descendants if they obeyed him, and he did so. He also promised to punish them if they disobeyed him, and he did so. He never abandoned them, even when they were unfaithful to him. (2 Chronicles 6:14-15, 7:17-22, 36:15-16)
2. God is gracious. God shows his undeserved favor and mercy to his people. He forgives them when they repent, and restores them when they return to him. He also gives them good gifts, such as wisdom, wealth, peace, and victory over their enemies. He does not treat them as their sins deserve, but as his children. (2 Chronicles 1:7-12, 6:36-39, 7:14, 30:18-20, 33:12-13)
3. God is sovereign. God rules over all things, and nothing happens without his permission or purpose. He controls the events of history, and the fate of nations and individuals. He raises up and brings down kings, and he determines the outcome of wars. He also works out his plan of salvation, and preserves a remnant of his people. (2 Chronicles 9:8, 13:12, 20:6, 25:20, 36:22-23)
4. God is holy. God is separate from sin and evil, and he demands purity and righteousness from his people. He does not tolerate idolatry, injustice, or rebellion. He judges sin, and disciplines his people when they sin. He also calls them to consecrate themselves, and to worship him in spirit and truth. (2 Chronicles 7:1-3, 19:6-7, 24:18-20, 29:5-11, 34:14-33)
5. God is glorious. God reveals his majesty and power through his works and his presence. He fills the temple with his glory, and manifests his presence to his people. He also performs great signs and wonders, and displays his might and wisdom. He is worthy of all praise and honor, and he deserves the loyalty and devotion of his people. (2 Chronicles 5:13-14, 7:1-3, 16:9, 20:21-22, 26:5, 32:27-31)

These are just some of the attributes of God that we can learn from the book of 2 Chronicles. There are many more, and we can discover them by reading and studying this book. As we do so, we will grow in our knowledge and love of God, and we will be motivated to obey and serve him. May we always remember the attributes of God, and seek to reflect them in our lives.

– **Sovereignty**: God is the supreme ruler of all things and he accomplishes his purposes through human agents and events. In Ezra, we see God’s sovereignty in his fulfillment of the prophecies of Jeremiah and Isaiah, his stirring of the hearts of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes to favor the Jews, and his protection of the Jews from their enemies. (Ezra 1:1-4, 6:1-12, 7:11-28, 8:22-23)

– **Faithfulness**: God is true to his promises and his covenant with his people. In Ezra, we see God’s faithfulness in his restoration of the remnant of Israel to their land, his provision of resources and leaders for the temple work, and his preservation of the Jewish identity and worship. (Ezra 1:5-11, 2:1-70, 3:1-13, 6:13-22, 10:1-44)

– **Holiness**: God is separate from sin and he demands purity and obedience from his people. In Ezra, we see God’s holiness in his judgment of the idolatrous nations, his requirement of the temple sacrifices and rituals, and his discipline of the Jews for their intermarriage with the foreign women. (Ezra 4:1-24, 5:1-17, 9:1-15, 10:1-44)

– **Grace**: God is merciful and compassionate to his people and he gives them undeserved favor and blessings. In Ezra, we see God’s grace in his initiation of the return of the exiles, his provision of the temple vessels and the royal decrees, and his forgiveness and restoration of the repentant Jews. (Ezra 1:1-4, 6:1-12, 7:11-28, 9:8-9, 10:1-44)

These are some of the **God’s attributes** and characteristics that we can learn from the book of Ezra. They show us who God is and how he relates to his people. They also challenge us to respond to him with faith, obedience, reverence, and gratitude. May we study the book of Ezra with an open heart and a willing spirit, and may we grow in our knowledge and love of God.

Some of the characteristics of God that we can learn from 1 Chronicles are:

– **God is eternal.** He has no beginning or end, and He is the source of life for all His creatures. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and of all generations. (1:1-27, 29:10)

– **God is omniscient.** He knows everything that happens in the past, present, and future. He knows the hearts and motives of all people, and He rewards or punishes them accordingly. He also reveals His plans and purposes to His prophets and servants. (28:9, 29:17, 25:1-31)

– **God is omnipotent.** He has unlimited power and authority over all creation. He can do anything He pleases, and nothing can stop Him or hinder Him. He is the Lord of hosts, who commands the armies of heaven and earth. He is the God of miracles, who can deliver His people from any danger or enemy. (29:11-12, 14:8-15, 20:6-12)

– **God is holy.** He is separate from sin and evil, and He hates all forms of wickedness and idolatry. He is the God of justice, who executes righteous judgment on the nations and individuals who rebel against Him. He is also the God of purity, who requires His people to be holy as He is holy, and to worship Him in spirit and truth. (10:13-14, 15:12-15, 16:29)

– **God is gracious.** He is full of love and compassion for His people, and He shows them undeserved favor and mercy. He is the God of forgiveness, who pardons the sins of those who repent and seek His face. He is also the God of blessing, who bestows abundant gifts and provisions on His people, and fulfills His promises to them. (17:1-27, 21:13, 29:14-16)

These are just some of the characteristics of God that we can discover in the book of 1 Chronicles. There are many more that we can learn from studying His word and knowing Him personally. As we do so, we will grow in our awe and admiration of Him, and we will respond with gratitude and obedience. He is worthy of all our praise and worship, for He is the great and awesome God, who reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Some of God’s Attributes and Characteristics in the Book of 2 Kings

• Sovereign: God is the supreme ruler of all creation, and He has the power and authority to accomplish His purposes. He controls the events of history, and He raises up and brings down kings and nations according to His will. He also intervenes in the lives of individuals, and performs signs and wonders to demonstrate His sovereignty. Some examples of God’s sovereignty in the Book of 2 Kings are:
  • He sent fire from heaven to consume the sacrifices of Elijah and the prophets of Baal (1:10-12).
  • He caused the iron axe head to float on the water for Elisha (6:5-7).
  • He blinded the army of Aram and led them to Samaria (6:18-20).
  • He delivered Jerusalem from the siege of Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, by sending an angel to kill 185,000 of his soldiers (19:35-36).
  • He extended the life of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, by 15 years, and gave him a sign by making the shadow go back ten steps on the sundial (20:1-11).
• Faithful: God is true to His promises, and He keeps His covenant with His people. He does not change His mind, nor does He forget His word. He is loyal and steadfast in His love and grace. He also expects His people to be faithful to Him, and to obey His commands. Some examples of God’s faithfulness in the Book of 2 Kings are:
  • He preserved a remnant of Israel and Judah, despite their sins and idolatry, because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (13:23; 17:18-20; 19:30-31).
  • He fulfilled the prophecies of Elijah and Elisha, such as the death of Jezebel (9:30-37), the anointing of Jehu (9:1-10), the end of the famine in Samaria (7:1-20), and the restoration of the Shunammite woman’s son (8:1-6).
  • He showed mercy to Hezekiah, and heard his prayer for healing and deliverance (20:1-6; 19:14-20).
  • He honored the reforms of Josiah, the king of Judah, and delayed His wrath on Judah until after his death (22:1-23:30).
• Righteous: God is just and fair in His judgments, and He rewards or punishes people according to their deeds. He hates sin and evil, and He does not tolerate wickedness and oppression. He also calls His people to do what is right and good, and to seek justice and mercy. Some examples of God’s righteousness in the Book of 2 Kings are:
  • He executed His wrath on the house of Ahab, and wiped out his descendants, because of his idolatry and murder (9:6-10:36).
  • He allowed the Assyrians to capture and exile the northern kingdom of Israel, because of their persistent rebellion and idolatry (17:1-23).
  • He brought disaster on the kings of Judah who did evil in His sight, such as Ahaz (16:1-20), Manasseh (21:1-18), and Jehoiakim (23:36-24:7).
  • He spared the kings of Judah who did what was right in His sight, such as Joash (12:1-21), Hezekiah (18:1-20:21), and Josiah (22:1-23:30).
• Merciful: God is compassionate and gracious, and He forgives and heals those who repent and turn to Him. He is slow to anger, and abounding in love. He also shows kindness and generosity to those who are in need, and He provides for their welfare. Some examples of God’s mercy in the Book of 2 Kings are:
  • He healed Naaman, the commander of the army of Aram, of his leprosy, when he obeyed the instructions of Elisha (5:1-19).
  • He restored the life of the widow’s son, who died of an illness, when Elijah prayed for him (4:18-37).
  • He forgave Manasseh, the king of Judah, who repented of his sins, when he was in distress (21:10-19).
  • He showed favor to Jehoiachin, the king of Judah, who was released from prison by the king of Babylon, and given a seat of honor (25:27-30).
• Holy: God is perfect and pure, and He is set apart from all that is sinful and defiled. He is the source of all holiness, and He dwells in unapproachable light. He also requires His people to be holy, and to worship Him in spirit and truth. Some examples of God’s holiness in the Book of 2 Kings are:
  • He manifested His presence and glory in the temple of Solomon, and filled it with a cloud (8:10-11).
  • He consumed the offerings of Elijah and the prophets of Baal with fire, and proved that He is the true God (1:10-12).
  • He sent leprosy on Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, who lied and coveted the gifts of Naaman (5:20-27).
  • He destroyed the idols and altars that were set up in the temple and in the land of Judah, by the kings who did evil in His sight (18:4; 23:4-20).

Conclusion

The Book of 2 Kings reveals some of the attributes and characteristics of God, who is sovereign, faithful, righteous, merciful, and holy. He is the God who rules over history, who keeps His promises, who judges sin, who forgives repentance, and who demands holiness. He is also the God who loves His people, and who shows His love in various ways, such as by delivering them from their enemies, by healing them of their diseases, by restoring them from their losses, by sparing them from His wrath, and by giving them hope for the future. The love of God is the ultimate expression of His nature, and the ultimate reason for His actions. How should we respond to His love? We should love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and we should love our neighbor as ourselves. We should also obey His commands, and walk in His ways. We should trust Him, and seek Him with all our being. We should praise Him, and worship Him in spirit and truth. We should also share His love with others, and invite them to know Him as their Lord and Savior. This is the essence of the Book of 2 Kings, and the essence of the Christian life. May God help us to live according to His word, and to experience His love in our lives. Amen.

## God is faithful

One of the most prominent attributes of God in the book of 1 Kings is his faithfulness. God keeps his promises and fulfills his word, even when his people are unfaithful and disobedient. Some examples of God’s faithfulness are:

– 1 Kings 2:4: God confirms to Solomon that he will establish his throne and the throne of his descendants, as he promised to David.

– 1 Kings 6:11-13: God reminds Solomon that he will dwell among his people and bless them, as he promised to Moses.

– 1 Kings 8:15-21: Solomon praises God for fulfilling his promise to David and building a house for his name.

– 1 Kings 9:3-5: God appears to Solomon and assures him that he will establish his kingdom and his house, as he promised to David.

– 1 Kings 17:14-16: God provides food for Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, as he promised through his word.

– 1 Kings 18:36-39: God answers Elijah’s prayer and sends fire from heaven, as he promised through his word.

## God is powerful

Another attribute of God that is evident in the book of 1 Kings is his power. God is able to do anything he wills and nothing can stop him or hinder him. He demonstrates his power over nature, nations, and supernatural forces. Some examples of God’s power are:

– 1 Kings 3:5-15: God appears to Solomon in a dream and grants him wisdom and riches, as he asked.

– 1 Kings 17:17-24: God raises the son of the widow of Zarephath from the dead, through Elijah’s prayer.

– 1 Kings 18:41-45: God sends rain after a long drought, in response to Elijah’s prayer.

– 1 Kings 19:11-13: God shows his presence to Elijah in a gentle whisper, after a great wind, an earthquake, and a fire.

– 1 Kings 20:13-30: God delivers Israel from the Syrians, twice, through his prophets.

– 1 Kings 22:19-23: God reveals his plan to deceive Ahab and send him to his death, through his prophet Micaiah.

## God is wise

A third attribute of God that is displayed in the book of 1 Kings is his wisdom. God knows everything and he acts with perfect understanding and insight. He gives wisdom to those who seek him and he exposes the folly of those who reject him. Some examples of God’s wisdom are:

– 1 Kings 3:16-28: God gives Solomon wisdom to judge between two women who claimed to be the mother of a living child.

– 1 Kings 4:29-34: God gives Solomon wisdom to speak proverbs, compose songs, and understand various fields of knowledge.

– 1 Kings 10:1-13: God gives Solomon wisdom to answer all the questions of the queen of Sheba, who came to test him.

– 1 Kings 12:1-15: God fulfills his word to Jeroboam and divides the kingdom of Israel, through the foolishness of Rehoboam.

– 1 Kings 13:1-10: God sends a man of God to prophesy against the altar of Bethel, and he refuses to be deceived by the old prophet.

– 1 Kings 22:41-50: God establishes Jehoshaphat as a good king of Judah, who walked in the ways of his father David.

## God is holy

A fourth attribute of God that is manifested in the book of 1 Kings is his holiness. God is separate from sin and evil, and he demands purity and obedience from his people. He punishes those who violate his commands and he rewards those who follow his ways. Some examples of God’s holiness are:

– 1 Kings 8:22-53: Solomon prays to God and acknowledges his holiness, his justice, his mercy, and his forgiveness.

– 1 Kings 9:6-9: God warns Solomon and his people that if they turn away from him and worship other gods, he will reject them and destroy the temple.

– 1 Kings 11:1-13: God is angry with Solomon for his idolatry and his disobedience, and he announces that he will tear the kingdom from him and give it to his servant.

– 1 Kings 14:1-18: God judges Jeroboam and his house for their wickedness and their idolatry, and he pronounces the death of his son and the end of his dynasty.

– 1 Kings 15:9-15: God approves Asa as a good king of Judah, who did what was right in his eyes and removed the idols and the high places.

– 1 Kings 21:17-29: God condemns Ahab and Jezebel for their evil deeds and their murder of Naboth, and he declares that he will bring disaster on them and their house.

## God is gracious

A fifth attribute of God that is shown in the book of 1 Kings is his grace. God is compassionate and kind, and he shows favor and mercy to those who do not deserve it. He hears the prayers of his people and he responds to their needs. He also offers opportunities for repentance and restoration to those who sin against him. Some examples of God’s grace are:

– 1 Kings 3:6-9: God is pleased with Solomon’s request for wisdom and he promises to give him more than he asked for.

– 1 Kings 8:54-61: God hears Solomon’s prayer and he accepts the temple as a place of sacrifice and worship.

– 1 Kings 17:8-16: God sends Elijah to the widow of Zarephath and he provides food for her and her son, during the famine.

– 1 Kings 19:1-18: God comforts Elijah and he reveals his plans and his purposes to him, after he fled from Jezebel.

– 1 Kings 21:27-29: God sees Ahab’s humility and he postpones the disaster that he had pronounced on him and his house.

– 1 Kings 22:51-53: God gives Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, a chance to repent and to do what is right in his sight, but he follows the ways of his father and his mother.

## God is sovereign

A sixth and final attribute of God that is illustrated in the book of 1 Kings is his sovereignty. God is the supreme ruler and the ultimate authority over all things. He controls the course of history and he accomplishes his will, despite the actions of human beings. He also works through his prophets and his servants to reveal his plans and his purposes. Some examples of God’s sovereignty are:

– 1 Kings 5:1-12: God gives Solomon favor with Hiram, the king of Tyre, and he enables him to build the temple and his palace.

– 1 Kings 11:26-40: God raises up Jeroboam as an adversary to Solomon and he appoints him as the king of the ten tribes of Israel.

– 1 Kings 12:16-24: God causes the rebellion of the people against Rehoboam and he prevents a civil war between Israel and Judah.

– 1 Kings 16:1-34: God removes and replaces various kings of Israel, according to his word and his judgment.

– 1 Kings 19:15-21: God instructs Elijah to anoint Hazael as the king of Syria, Jehu as the king of Israel, and Elisha as his successor.

– 1 Kings 22:1-40: God orchestrates the death of Ahab, the king of Israel, according to his word and his prophecy.

## Conclusion

The book of 1 Kings is a rich source of information and inspiration about God’s character and his dealings with his people. It reveals some of the attributes and characteristics of God that are essential for us to know and to worship him. As we read and study this book, we can learn more about God’s faithfulness, power, wisdom, holiness, grace, and sovereignty. We can also apply these truths to our own lives and our relationship with him. May God bless us as we explore his attributes and characteristics in the book of 1 Kings.

Some of the attributes and characteristics of God that we can learn from the book of 2 Samuel are:

– God is sovereign. He rules over all things and accomplishes his purposes according to his will. He is the one who established David as king over Israel and gave him victory over his enemies (2 Samuel 5:10, 12). He is also the one who allowed David to fall into sin and suffer the consequences of his actions (2 Samuel 12:10-12). He is the one who raised up and put down kings and nations according to his plan (2 Samuel 7:8-16; 24:1-25).

– God is faithful. He keeps his promises and does not change his mind. He made a covenant with David to establish his throne and his kingdom forever, and he did not revoke it even when David sinned against him (2 Samuel 7:12-16; 23:5). He also fulfilled his promise to give David a son who would build a house for his name, and who would be the ancestor of the Messiah (2 Samuel 7:12-13; 12:24-25; Luke 1:31-33).

– God is righteous. He is holy and just, and he hates sin and evil. He does not overlook or condone the wickedness of his people, but he judges them and disciplines them according to their deeds. He exposed and condemned David’s sin of adultery and murder, and he sent a prophet to rebuke him and announce his punishment (2 Samuel 12:1-14). He also executed justice on those who rebelled against him and his anointed, such as Saul, Absalom, and Sheba (2 Samuel 1:14-16; 18:9-15; 20:21-22).

– God is merciful. He is compassionate and gracious, and he forgives and restores those who repent and seek his face. He accepted David’s confession and contrition, and he spared his life and forgave his sin (2 Samuel 12:13). He also showed kindness and generosity to those who were loyal and humble before him, such as Abigail, Mephibosheth, and Barzillai (2 Samuel 25:32-35; 9:1-13; 19:31-39).

– God is relational. He is not distant or impersonal, but he desires to have a close and intimate relationship with his people. He revealed himself to David as his Lord, his rock, his fortress, his deliverer, his shield, his horn, his stronghold, his refuge, his savior, his shepherd, and his friend (2 Samuel 22:2-4, 29-31, 36, 47-51; 23:1-5; 24:14). He also communicated with David through his word, his Spirit, his prophets, and his providence (2 Samuel 7:4-17; 23:2; 12:1-25; 24:11-25).

These are just some of the aspects of the character of God that we can discover in the book of 2 Samuel. As we read and study this book, we can learn more about who God is and what he has done for us. We can also reflect on how we can respond to him in faith, obedience, worship, and love. May we, like David, be able to say, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” (2 Samuel 22:2-4)

God’s Attributes and Characteristics in 1 Samuel

• God is sovereign. God is the King of the universe and always has been. No human king can assume kingship except as a deputy of the divine King¹. God has the ultimate authority and power over everything that happens in history and in the lives of His people. He chooses or rejects people according to His absolute sovereign will and purpose². He can raise up or bring down anyone He pleases³. He can use anyone or anything to accomplish His plan, even the enemies of His people⁴. He can also intervene miraculously to show His sovereignty, such as by sending thunder and rain in the harvest season⁵ or by striking the Philistines with tumors and panic⁶.
• God is faithful. God keeps His promises and expects us to keep ours. God promised Hannah blessings and gave her a child. She kept her word and gave Samuel back to God. God also promised to give Israel a king, and He did so despite their rejection of Him. God made a covenant with David to establish his throne forever, and He remained faithful to him even when he faced opposition and persecution. God also remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and did not forsake His people even when they sinned against Him.
• God is holy. God is set apart from His creation and He is morally perfect. He demands holiness from His people and He does not tolerate sin. He punished the sons of Eli for their wickedness and irreverence in the tabernacle. He rejected Saul for his disobedience and rebellion. He also disciplined David for his adultery and murder. God’s holiness requires that His people worship Him in spirit and in truth, and that they obey His commands and statutes. God’s holiness also provides a standard for His people to emulate and aspire to.
• God is gracious. God is merciful and compassionate towards His people. He hears their cries and answers their prayers. He heard Hannah’s prayer and gave her a son. He heard Israel’s cry and delivered them from the Philistines. He heard David’s plea and spared his life from Saul. God’s grace also extends to those who do not deserve it, such as Saul, whom God gave a new heart and the Spirit of God, or Abigail, whom God rescued from the folly of her husband. God’s grace also motivates His people to show grace to others, such as David, who spared Saul’s life twice and showed kindness to his descendants.
• God is personal. God is not a distant or impersonal deity, but a living and relational God. He knows His people intimately and He reveals Himself to them. He called Samuel by name and spoke to him directly. He revealed His will and His word to His prophets and His people. He also showed His presence and His power to His people through signs and wonders. God’s personal nature invites His people to have a personal relationship with Him, to love Him, to trust Him, and to know Him more deeply.

Conclusion

The book of 1 Samuel is a rich source of insight and inspiration for anyone who wants to know God better. It reveals some of the attributes and characteristics of God that are essential for our faith and our life. It also challenges us to examine our own hearts and our own responses to God. Are we like Hannah, who prayed fervently and dedicated her son to God? Are we like Samuel, who listened to God’s voice and obeyed His commands? Are we like David, who was a man after God’s own heart and who trusted in God’s promises? Or are we like Saul, who disobeyed God and lost His favor? Are we like Eli’s sons, who profaned God’s holiness and incurred His wrath? Are we like Nabal, who was foolish and ungrateful? The book of 1 Samuel invites us to reflect on these questions and to seek God’s grace and guidance in our journey of knowing Him.

¹: Introduction to 1–2 Samuel ²: 1 Samuel 2:6-10; 16:1-13 ³: 1 Samuel 2:30-36; 15:26-29 ⁴: 1 Samuel 5:1-12; 23:26-29 ⁵: 1 Samuel 12:16-18 ⁶: 1 Samuel 6:1-12 : 1 Samuel 1:9-28 : 1 Samuel 8:1-22; 9:15-17 : 1 Samuel 16:12-13; 23:14-18 : 1 Samuel 12:22 : 1 Samuel 2:12-36; 4:10-22 : 1 Samuel 13:8-14; 15:10-35 : 1 Samuel 11:1-27; 12:1-15 : 1 Samuel 1:9-20 : 1 Samuel 7:3-14 : 1 Samuel 19:9-18; 23:19-29 : 1 Samuel 10:6-13 : 1 Samuel 25:1-42 : 1 Samuel 24:1-22; 26:1-25; 2 Samuel 9:1-13 : 1 Samuel 3:1-21 : 1 Samuel 9:27-10:8; 15:1-3; 23:1-5 : 1 Samuel 5:1-12; 6:13-21; 7:10-12; 12:16-18

1. God is sovereign. God is in control of everything that happens in the world, and He has a plan for His people. In the book of Ruth, we see how God orchestrated the events that led to Ruth and Boaz’s marriage, which was part of His bigger plan to bring forth the Messiah, Jesus Christ, from their lineage (Ruth 4:13-22; Matthew 1:5-6). God also used the famine, the death of Naomi’s husband and sons, and the law of the kinsman-redeemer to accomplish His purposes (Ruth 1:1-5; 2:20; 3:9-13; 4:1-12).
2. God is faithful. God keeps His promises and does not forsake His people. In the book of Ruth, we see how God fulfilled His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to bless them and make them a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:5; 26:3-4; 28:13-14). God also showed His faithfulness to Naomi and Ruth, who experienced His provision, protection, and grace in their lives (Ruth 2:12; 4:14-15).
3. God is gracious. God is compassionate and generous, and He gives good gifts to His people. In the book of Ruth, we see how God showed His grace to Ruth, who was a foreigner and an outsider, by allowing her to glean in Boaz’s field, by giving her favor in Boaz’s eyes, and by making her part of His covenant people (Ruth 2:2-3, 10-13; 4:9-10). God also showed His grace to Boaz, who was a righteous and generous man, by giving him a wife and a son, and by making him part of the lineage of the Messiah (Ruth 4:13-17).
4. God is loving. God is kind and benevolent, and He cares for His people. In the book of Ruth, we see how God demonstrated His love to Naomi and Ruth, who were widows and in need of a redeemer, by sending Boaz, who was a kinsman-redeemer, to redeem them and restore their lives (Ruth 3:1-18; 4:1-12). God also demonstrated His love to Boaz, who was a faithful and loyal man, by sending Ruth, who was a virtuous and loyal woman, to be his wife and companion (Ruth 3:10-11; 4:13).

These are just some of the attributes and characteristics of God that we can discover in the book of Ruth. As we read and study this book, we can learn more about God’s nature and how He relates to His people. We can also be inspired by the examples of Ruth and Boaz, who showed faith, loyalty, kindness, and generosity in their lives. May we also seek to follow God and His ways, and experience His blessings in our lives.

Some of the attributes and characteristics of God that we can observe in the Book of Judges are:

• God’s faithfulness: God keeps His promises and remains loyal to His covenant with Israel, even when they are unfaithful and disobedient to Him. He rescues them from their oppressors, provides them with leaders and judges, and gives them rest in the land. He does not abandon them or reject them, but continues to work out His plan of salvation for them and the world. (Judg. 2:1-23; 8:22-23; 10:15-16; 21:25)
• God’s anger: God is holy and righteous, and He hates sin and idolatry. He is also jealous for His glory and His people’s devotion. He expresses His wrath and displeasure against Israel’s rebellion and apostasy, and allows them to suffer the consequences of their actions. He also judges and punishes their enemies, who oppress and afflict them. He does not tolerate evil or injustice, but executes His justice and vengeance. (Judg. 2:11-15; 3:7-8; 6:1; 10:6-9; 15:11; 16:28-30)
• God’s mercy: God is compassionate and gracious, and He relents from His anger and shows kindness and forgiveness to His people. He hears their cries and responds to their repentance. He raises up deliverers and saviors for them, who act as His instruments of salvation. He also gives them opportunities and means to return to Him and renew their covenant. He does not treat them as their sins deserve, but remembers His covenant and His love for them. (Judg. 2:16-18; 3:9; 6:7-10; 10:10-18; 13:1-5; 16:22-31)

These are just some of the aspects of God’s character that we can learn from the Book of Judges. As we read and study this book, we can appreciate the nature of God and His dealings with His people, and how they point us to the ultimate Judge and Savior, Jesus Christ, who perfectly reveals God’s character and fulfills God’s plan.

God is faithful

One of the main themes of the book of Joshua is God’s faithfulness to his covenant with Israel. God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that he would give their descendants the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:7; 15:18-21; 26:3-4; 28:13-15). He also promised to Moses that he would bring the Israelites out of Egypt and into the promised land (Exodus 3:8; 6:4-8; 33:1-3). God kept his word and fulfilled his promises through Joshua.

Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. (Joshua 21:45)¹

God is powerful

The book of Joshua also shows God’s power over nature, nations, and enemies. God demonstrated his power by parting the Jordan River, making the sun stand still, sending hailstones, and collapsing the walls of Jericho. He also gave the Israelites victory over the Canaanites, who were stronger and more numerous than them.

The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel, so Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely at Gibeon. Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah. As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites. (Joshua 10:10-11)²

God is holy

The book of Joshua also reveals God’s holiness and his demand for obedience and purity from his people. God commanded the Israelites to consecrate themselves before crossing the Jordan, to circumcise the males at Gilgal, and to refrain from taking any of the devoted things from Jericho. He also punished the sin of Achan, who violated the ban and brought trouble on Israel.

But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel. (Joshua 7:1)³

God is merciful

The book of Joshua also displays God’s mercy and grace to those who repent and seek his protection. God spared Rahab and her family, who hid the spies and confessed their faith in the Lord. He also made a covenant with the Gibeonites, who deceived the Israelites but pleaded for their lives.

Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the prostitute’s house and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her.” So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother, her brothers and sisters and all who belonged to her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel. (Joshua 6:22-23)⁴

God is sovereign

The book of Joshua also affirms God’s sovereignty and his control over history and nations. God chose Joshua to succeed Moses and lead the Israelites. He also planned and directed the conquest of Canaan, giving the land to the tribes as their inheritance. He also used the Canaanites to test and discipline the Israelites, and to fulfill his purposes.

The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.” (Joshua 10:8)⁵

The book of Joshua teaches us many things about God and his relationship with his people. It challenges us to trust his promises, to rely on his power, to obey his commands, to seek his mercy, and to acknowledge his sovereignty. It also invites us to worship him and serve him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.