InEssence

God feels!

One of the obstacles that people may encounter in pursuing the knowledge of the love of God is the obstacle of theology. Theology is not a bad thing; it’s a good thing. However, when our theology hinders our ability to really “hear” what the Bible is saying, it becomes an obstacle. The Bible is the Word of God. It should shape and form our theology, not the other way around.

In this article, we’re going to be examining one very important aspect of what God’s love for us is like. But first, let’s see how theology can get in the way of recognizing this aspect of God’s love for you. Let’s begin with a little theology lesson…

Anthropomorphic language

According to Merriam Webster, the definition of anthropomorphic is: described or thought of as having a human form or human attributes

In Christianity, this term is basically used of Biblical language that describes God as having any attributes that are thought to be “human.” Here’s an example: and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. Exodus 24:10

This verse describes God as having feet. Many scholars would say: “Well, God is a Spirit, He’s not a man. He doesn’t really have feet! This is just anthropomorphic language.”

And when they say it’s just anthropomorphic language, it’s as if they are saying, “This verse is just ascribing something human to God in order to give us something we can understand since we can’t really understand what He’s like. We’re not really supposed to think that God has feet!”

These people think of anthropomorphisms as if they are conveying something which is untrue. But, let’s examine this more closely:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

There is a lot of anthropomorphic language in Scripture. Why? Anthropomorphisms are the Spirit’s attempt to help us understand something about God. This language is not conveying something untrue. Rather, it’s conveying something MORE. For instance, in the same way we hear, God hears more. MORE! He hears MORE!

Here’s another example: “Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.” Psalm 103:13

He will have MORE compassion! His heart will respond like a loving Father—MORE!

Anthropomorphic language in the Scriptures is highly revelatory.

Let’s look at: Psalm 94:8-9 ⁸ Pay heed, you senseless among the people; And when will you understand, stupid ones? ⁹ He who planted the ear, does He not hear? He who formed the eye, does He not see?

The correct answer to that question, according to the context is: “Of course He hears! He hears MORE! Of course He sees, but He sees MORE!”

Here’s a similar question to the one we just looked at in Psalm 94: He Who formed the heart, does He not feel?

God Feels MORE!

Now, let’s examine some verses that talk to us about the emotions of God. Remember, these verses are not conveying something untrue about God, as if “God doesn’t really feel. That language is just because we can’t really understand Him.” Rather, just as God formed us with emotions, God also feels—He just feels MORE.

Try to read the following verses with the emotion noted before the verse is quoted. Ask for illumination into God’s heart from the Holy Spirit. Try to center your attention on the love God has for us. God’s heart is filled with loving devotion towards us. When we are unfaithful God’s heart feels utterly betrayed, broken, bereft, grief stricken and extremely angrily jealous! God wants us to know His passionate intense personal love!

God Who Delights!

The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147:11

Yahweh the Smitten God:

Isaiah 62:3-5 ³ You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, And a royal diadem in the hand of your God. ⁴ It will no longer be said to you, "Forsaken," Nor to your land will it any longer be said, "Desolate"; But you will be called, "My delight is in her," And your land, "Married"; For the LORD delights in you, And to Him your land will be married. ⁵ For as a young man marries a virgin, So your sons will marry you; And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So your God will rejoice over you.

Jehovah Who Pines For You - Is God Wistful?

Jeremiah 2:32 ³² "Can a virgin forget her ornaments, Or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me Days without number.

Jeremiah 3:6-7 ⁶ Then the LORD said to me in the days of Josiah the king, "Have you seen what faithless Israel did? She went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and she was a harlot there. ⁷ "I thought, 'After she has done all these things she will return to Me'; but she did not return, and her treacherous sister Judah saw it.

Adonai the Broken Hearted …

This verse is very powerful. There is a word in Hebrew that testifies to God’s heart being broken in pieces. If this wasn’t in the Bible, I don’t know that I would dare to make this statement.

Ezekiel 6:9 "Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations to which they will be carried captive, how I have been hurt (broken in pieces, ruined) by their adulterous hearts which turned away from Me, and by their eyes which played the harlot after their idols; and they will loathe themselves in their own sight for the evils which they have committed, for all their abominations.

He is a Jealous Husband:

James 4:5 ⁵ Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"?

The Lord Who Longs

The Lord regretfully remembers better days. He remembers and longs for former faithfulness.

Jeremiah 2:2 "Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, 'Thus says the LORD, "I remember concerning you the devotion of your youth, The love of your betrothals, Your following after Me in the wilderness, Through a land not sown.

Elohim Who Looks Forward to…

He looks forward to the restoration of the relationship and determines to strengthen the bond so that the separation doesn’t happen again.

Hosea 2:19-20 ¹⁹ "I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, In lovingkindness and in compassion, ²⁰ And I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the LORD.

Jeremiah 24:7 ⁷ 'I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the LORD; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.

This is God’s heart. He is a feeling God. He feels towards you. His love for you is intense and emotional. It is deep and real.

Can you imagine today by faith that God’s heart yearns for you? Do you see how passionate He is about His relationship with you? Can you sense His devotion, affection, deep personal love? Do you believe that He is jealously longing for you, looking forward to eternity with you? God wants you to embrace the feeling heart of God today! He is the God Who Delights in you.

Ephesians 3:19-2A ¹⁹ … to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. ²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, ²¹ to Him be the glory …