How should we view characters in the Bible? This question is an important question as we close this series on characters in the Bible. The Bible has stories. God has ordained His Word to contain poetry, discourse, commands, letters, and stories. God wants His children to read His Word, in story form, and see amazing things about Him. So whether we realize it or not, we have to ask the question about characters.
How should we view characters in the Bible? We can read over characters and just focus on the story. We can read through characters and act like they are just plot devices we can skip. We can read characters in the Bible and see neutral figures that have no real purpose. Or we can read and view characters in the Bible as God intended us to and read characters in His Word. Here are the 6 important ways we can correctly view characters in the Bible.
First, we can view characters as examples of ourselves. We have desires of the heart. Biblical characters have desires of the heart. We have a will and bents to certain things. Biblical characters have a will and bent to certain things. We have sin and idolatrous tendencies. Biblical characters have sin and idolatrous tendencies. Biblical characters are exactly like us. We are all fallen, depraved, affectionate, and worshiping humans. Biblical character should be viewed as examples of us; as mirrors and reflections of ourselves. To view Biblical characters as God intended, we are simply viewing ourselves in them, including all their sin, filth, and wretchedness.
Second, we must view Biblical characters as lessons in faith. Every single Biblical character has faith in something or someone. Every single human has faith in something or someone. Some Biblical characters have faith in self. Some Biblical characters have faith in authority or those in power. Some Biblical characters have faith in others around them. Yet some Biblical characters (after God works in their lives) have faith in Yahweh. We must view Biblical characters as lessons in faith. They teach us about faith. They show us good and bad faith. They show us what faithful choices look like. Viewing Biblical characters as lessons in faith is critical to what God wants us to see and know.
Third, we must view Biblical characters through the consequences of their good and bad choices. As we view David, we must view the good choices he makes in faith and see the consequences they have. Yet as we view David, we must see the consequences of his evil choices. To rightly view the characters in the Bible, is to clearly see the consequences of the good actions and the evil actions. The characters exist to show us the outcome of our choice and to show us, if viewed properly, what will take place if we chose against God. Biblical characters show us he consequence to our actions.
Fourth, we must view Biblical characters as statements of faith. The characters in the Bible exist as teaching tools. They exist as vehicles God uses to teach us. They exists as truth declarations. Looking at the life of Joseph, we see the declaration of righteousness. Looking at the life of King Saul, we see the truth of self-pride. Looking at the life of David, we see the life of humble repentance and worship. Looking at the life of Peter, we see what devotion and passion for the Savior is. Viewing characters in the Bible is to view a truth of God's Word through the lens of a living, breathing, real person.
Finally, to view characters as God intended us to view them, we must see the characters as theological points. Theology is the study of God, His nature, His Word, our sin, God's people (the church), and other areas that God touches in this world. To view characters in the Bible, is to view living, breathing, moving, and teaching theology truths. As Abraham grows in faith and interacts with God, God through Abraham is teaching His people about Himself. God showcases His mercy, justice, and grace through Abraham. As David repents, worships, and rules God's people, God is teaching His people through David what worship is, how He forgives, and what His Kingdom is like. Characters in the Bible are lessons, statements, and teaching times on the theology of God and His world.
Characters in the Biblical stories are there for a reason. God has a purpose in writing His Word in story. God has a purpose including characters, real, living breathing people, in the stories of His Word. The characters in the Bible are amazing, complex, and beautiful people made in the image of God, yet fallen and depraved by sin. Characters in the Bible are exactly like us. So let us go to characters in the Bible, view ourselves, grow in faith, and see the beauty and majesty of our covenant God through their eyes. Let us view characters in the Bible the way God intended, all for His glory and our good.
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