History

The old Hebrew God is universally recognized as an all-powerful, omnipotent, and jealous God. In Old Testament texts, the God of Abraham and Jacob is both a just and brutal God. He destroys the unfaithful, rewards the just and merciful, and loathes the proud and arrogant. When God commands Noah to build a giant ark, he pleads with mercy for those who remained in sin. God replies that evil men are committed to sin. After the flood, God promises to restore order in the world  that He, the Almighty God, will not destroy again which he created. From a theological viewpoint, one can see that there are different conceptions of God throughout the Old Testament texts. The aim of this paper is to examine these conceptions and attempt to reconcile perceived differences.

In Genesis 12, God is portrayed as a magnanimous God. God promises Abraham the land of Canaan  the place where Abrahams offspring will live. In Genesis 14, God is depicted as owner of all creation  of both heavenly and earthly objects. The text proves this point

But Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, I have made Abram rich. I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share (Gen. 14 2224).
From Genesis 16-18, God image suddenly changes. He becomes an angry God, a punisher of the wicked and sinner. He destroys Sodom and Gomorrah with lightning and fire  symbols of their treachery and wickedness.

In the first chapters, God is depicted as the hope of Israel, the one who will send the deliverer. In Exodus 71, this promise is fulfilled in the person of Moses And the Lord said unto Moses, see, I have made thee a god to pharaoh, and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet (Exodus 71). Gods dedication to His people is without limit. He commands Moses to disperse the ten plagues throughout Egypt as a sign of God supremacy over the gods of Egypt. It is Gods will that Israel be freed from the oppression of the pharaoh. With the death of the pharaohs first born-son, the pharaoh frees the Israelites. He becomes the God-deliverer  the source of strength and faith. In Exodus 20, God revealed the Ten Commandments to Moses. In essence, God becomes the supreme ruler of Israel. He is both the ruler and god of a newly-founded nation.

In the book of Joshua (1-7), God is depicted as the prime source of strength, faith, courage, and fortitude. He is at the same time the God of War, the Destroyer of Idols, and the Lord of Hosts. God commands Joshua to push to the Promised Land, destroy foreign idols, and establish His name throughout the region. This theme is also found in Psalm 137 or the plea for revenge against the people of Israel. Indeed, from the Book of Genesis to Ezekiel, Gods image is that of a strong, jealous, just, and faithful God. These conceptions are not contradictory because these traits are situated in different context.