The Dimensions of God

by | Nov 25, 2021 | Attributes of God, Jesus Christ

“Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?” (Job 11:7) 

The two questions posed by Job’s friend Zophar in Job 11:7 are obviously rhetorical. A god who is limited in his “god-ness” and whose “deep things” can be completely plumbed by man is, in effect, no god at all.  The correct response to Zophar’s questions about Almighty God is this: “Great is the Lord… His greatness is unsearchable,” (Ps. 145:3). “The measure of [His greatness] is longer than the earth and broader than the sea,” (Job 11:8-9). This Lord of lords possesses omnipotent sovereignty, omniscient wisdom, everlasting duration, and omnipresent immensity. 
  • Omnipotent sovereignty – “great is the Lord, and of great power” (Ps. 147:5).
  • Omniscient understanding – “God is greater than our heart, and knows all things,” (1 John 3:20).
  • Everlasting duration – “behold, God is great, and we cannot know Him, neither can the number of His years be searched out,” (Job 36:26).
  • Omnipresent immensity – “great is our God above all gods. Who is able to build Him a house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain Him?” (2 Chron. 2:5-6).
In Scripture, the dimension of height is used to reference God’s sovereignty: “He that is higher than the highest regards,” (Eccl. 5:8). Depth is used to reference His omniscience: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Rom. 11:33). Length is used to reference His eternality: “He asked life, and You gave it to him; even length of days for ever and ever,” (Ps. 21:4). And breadth is used to reference His omnipresence: “the glorious Lord will be to us a place of broad rivers and streams,” (Isa. 33:21). Calvin notes that all these apply, as well, to Jesus Christ and the “eternal duration of His kingdom.”  If we can grasp the degree to which divine perfection far transcends human capacities, we understand why Paul describes God as “the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords; (1 Tim. 6:15). This is also why Moses, Melchizedek, and Abram all refer to Him as “the most high God” (Gen. 14:5, 18-20, 22) – four times in one chapter.  Thus, Job concludes, “I know that You can do everything, and that no thought can be hidden from You,” (Job 43:2). This Almighty God, without measure or limits, is the very God we serve, worship, adore, and praise! 
  1. Lord, in the light of Your perfection and omnipotent sovereignty, I am nothing! How amazing is it that Christ stooped down to save me!
  1. The nations are but “drops of a bucket,” (Isa. 40:15) in comparison to You. And if nations are so utterly inconsiderable, what shall we say of individuals?
  1. When we observe our insignificance in comparison to Your greatness, Lord, we have no reason to boast in anything! Any good thing that I may do is because of Your work of grace and love in me. “I can do all things,” (1 John 3:9) John says, only “through Christ that strengthens me.”
Further References for Job 11:7 Eccl. 3:11; Rom. 11:33; Job 5:9, 37:23; Ps. 145:3; Isa. 40:28