1996-05-21 - God vs. Man

Hey all, many of you seem to like the lists that I have done in the past and so here is another. It is on Metaphors respecting God. It is taken from John Brown of Haddington's work, Sacred Tropology, which was published in 1768 and to my knowledge has never been reprinted. I hope you enjoy his insights …

1. GOD is compared to a MAN, because of his wisdom and prudence; his manifold excellency; his extensive sovereignty; his dominion over, and tender affection towards his creatures. Things respecting man almost innumerable, are divinely constitute the emblems of his perfections and works. (a) He is called the HEAD of Christ; to him, as man and Mediator, he is the undoubted superior; and it is his to support, rule, and direct him, as such. (b) His countenance and face, when represented as set against any, denote the manifestation of his indignation and wrath. (c) Commonly his eyes import his knowledge; his care; his favor, and regard; but sometimes the display of his wrath. (d) His ears denote his perfect knowledge; his exact observation, and favorable regard. (e) His nostrils and nose signify his anger, his approbation, and his exact judgment. (f) His mouth and lips denote his will; his authority; his word; his command; his wrath. (g) His back-parts denote discoveries of his glory and goodness; but such as are scanty and obscure, in respect of our immediate vision of him, fact to face, in heaven. (h) His arms, his hands, his fingers, denote his almighty power manifested in acts of sovereignty, justice, bounty, and grace. (i) His right hand imports a signal display of his almighty power, his love, mercy, or wrath. (j) But, as relating to the exalted station of Christ, it imports the highest power, authority, glory, dignity. (k) The hollow of his hand, denotes his easy comprehension, protection, and support of all things. (l) His soul in his nature, his holiness, and love. (m) His heart is his essence; his will; purpose; pleasure; and grace. (n) His bowels are his most ardent love; his tender mercy; and unbounded compassion. (o) His bosom imports secrecy; safety; eminent nearness; amazing intimacy; and endeared love. (p) His feet are the less glorious manifestations of his presence; the exercise of his power and providence, for the relief of his people, and overthrow of his enemies.

   (q) His joy imports his divine pleasure; approbation; and delight. (r) His hatred, anger, wrath, fury, denote his fixed, high, and holy displeasure with sin, and sinners; and his awful display thereof, in his righteous judgments. (s) His sadness and grief import, his just displeasure and righteous withdrawment of favor. (t) His grief for the misery of his people, denotes his tender mercy; his infinite compassion toward them. (u) His repentance imports the changing, not of his mind and purpose, but of the course of his providential work. (v) His jealousy denotes his distrust of his creatures; his tender regard to his honor; his love to his people, and his indignation against his enemies. (w) His knowledge imports his clear view of all things; his discovery of secrets; his approbation and love. (x) His thoughts are his purposes; and his judgment concerning things.

Soli Deo Gloria,
T-

brutefact@hotmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org