Topical Bible: God: None Before Him

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The concept of God's uniqueness and supremacy is a central tenet in Christian theology, emphasizing that there is no deity or being that precedes or equals Him. This belief is rooted in the monotheistic tradition of the Bible, which consistently affirms the singularity and unparalleled nature of God.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides numerous passages that underscore the idea that there is none before God. In Isaiah 43:10 , the Lord declares, "Before Me no god was formed, and after Me none will come." This verse is a clear affirmation of God's eternal existence and the absence of any other deity before or after Him. It highlights the exclusivity of God's divine nature and His role as the sole creator and sustainer of the universe.

In Deuteronomy 4:35 , Moses reminds the Israelites, "You were shown these things so that you would know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides Him." This statement reinforces the understanding that God alone is sovereign and that no other gods exist alongside Him.

Theological Implications

The belief that there is none before God has profound theological implications. It establishes the foundation for the worship of God as the one true God, rejecting polytheism and idolatry. This exclusivity is central to the First Commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3), which calls for undivided devotion and allegiance to God alone.

Furthermore, the uniqueness of God is linked to His attributes of omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. As the only eternal being, God's power and knowledge are unmatched, and His presence permeates all of creation. This understanding fosters a sense of awe and reverence among believers, who recognize God's supreme authority over all things.

Historical Context

Throughout history, the Israelites were surrounded by nations that worshiped multiple gods. The insistence on God's singularity served as a distinguishing feature of Israelite religion and identity. Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah frequently confronted the people with the futility of idol worship, urging them to return to the worship of the one true God.

In Isaiah 44:6 , the Lord proclaims, "I am the first and I am the last; apart from Me there is no God." This declaration not only affirms God's eternal nature but also serves as a polemic against the surrounding polytheistic cultures, asserting the futility of their gods.

Christological Considerations

In the New Testament, the belief in God's uniqueness is further developed through the revelation of Jesus Christ. John 1:1-3 states, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made." This passage identifies Jesus as the divine Word, co-eternal with God, and integral to the creation of the world.

The early Christian confession of Jesus as Lord (Philippians 2:11) aligns with the monotheistic belief in one God, as Jesus is understood to be the incarnate expression of the one true God. This understanding does not contradict the belief in God's singularity but rather affirms the mystery of the Trinity, where God is one in essence but revealed in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Practical Application

For believers, the acknowledgment that there is none before God calls for a life of worship, obedience, and trust. It challenges Christians to examine their lives for any idols or competing allegiances that may detract from their devotion to God. The recognition of God's unique and supreme nature inspires confidence in His promises and faithfulness, encouraging believers to rely on Him in all circumstances.

In summary, the biblical assertion that there is none before God is a foundational truth that shapes Christian worship, theology, and practice. It affirms God's eternal, unchanging nature and His unrivaled position as the Creator and Sustainer of all things.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 43:10
You are my witnesses, said the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Last Two Verses of Chapterviii. ...
... with a wise and understanding heart, so that none was like him before him, neither
after ... on which they may level their attacks against the Christian's God. ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter ix the last two.htm

Demonstration xvii. --Of Christ the Son of God.
... that God said:""I am God and there is none else beside ... as it is written, Ye are the
temple of God. ... in their thought; but they are accounted before Him as the ...
/.../aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xvii of christ the son.htm

Thoughts Upon the Knowledge of G0D.
... Hearts wholly to him, and subduing all our Passions and Affections before him. ... hath
set them, so as to live as none of our own, but as wholly God's; his by ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon the knowledge of.htm

Questions which Ought to be Asked
... "None saith, Where is God my Maker, who teacheth us more than the ... Where is God your
Maker? ... and have your being"that he will know your heart before you know ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/questions which ought to be.htm

Testimonies to the Unity of God.
... Before Him sea and rocks, with every fount,. ... And other than the Great King there
is none. ... He speaks indeed as if he had been an eyewitness of God's greatness. ...
/.../justin on the sole government of god /chapter ii testimonies to the unity.htm

The Godhood of God
... and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay ... The God of Scripture is
all-mighty. ... dust of the balance," with Whom "all nations before Him are as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the godhood of god/the godhood of god.htm

A Jealous God
... is a jealous God." Who shall stand before him when once ... he tear you in pieces, and
there be none to deliver ... at the last you shall behold an angry God sitting in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/a jealous god.htm

Following Hard after God
... This is set before us as the last word in orthodoxy, and it is ... "Lift up thine heart
unto God with a meek stirring of love; and mean Himself, and none of His ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/i following hard after god.htm

The Necessity of Regeneration, Argued from the Immutable ...
... important and universal change, which we before described as ... so resolutely bent to
destroy; yet none can say ... of the express engagements of God's word; whereas ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse iv the necessity of.htm

Introduction
... is that notable expression "the righteousness of God""than which is none of greater ...
name for the material cause of the sinner's acceptance before God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/1 introduction.htm