{"id":51490,"date":"2019-08-30T23:04:25","date_gmt":"2019-08-30T20:04:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=51490"},"modified":"2025-06-25T06:07:58","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T03:07:58","slug":"question-when-god-says-he-is-the-god-of-gods-what-does-that-mean-does-it-mean-he-is-the-god-of-idols","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2019\/08\/30\/question-when-god-says-he-is-the-god-of-gods-what-does-that-mean-does-it-mean-he-is-the-god-of-idols\/","title":{"rendered":"Question: When God says He is the \u201cGod of gods,\u201d what does that mean? Does it mean He is the God of idols?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Answer:<\/strong><\/p>\n

This phrase appears in Deuteronomy 10:17<\/strong>, which says:<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.\u201d<\/strong>
\n(Deuteronomy 10:17)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

At first glance, it may seem like this verse is saying that God is above other \u201cgods\u201d\u2014perhaps even idols. But when we read it carefully and in context with the rest of Scripture, we realize that it does not<\/strong> mean God is the God of idols. God consistently condemns idolatry (Exodus 20:3\u20135), and idols are repeatedly described in Scripture as powerless, man-made objects (Psalm 115:4\u20138).<\/p>\n

So who are these \u201cgods\u201d that God is said to be above?<\/p>\n

1. Biblical Definition of \u201cgods\u201d \u2013 Not Idols, but God\u2019s Representatives<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Jesus Himself gives us insight into this mystery in John 10:33\u201336<\/strong>, during a conversation with Jewish leaders who accused Him of blasphemy for calling Himself the Son of God:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Jews answered Him, saying, \u2018For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.\u2019<\/strong>
\nJesus answered them, \u2018Is it not written in your law, \u201cI said, \u2018You are gods\u2019\u201d?<\/strong>
\nIf He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, \u201cYou are blaspheming,\u201d because I said, \u201cI am the Son of God\u201d?\u2019\u201d<\/strong>
\n(John 10:33\u201336)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here, Jesus was quoting Psalm 82:6<\/strong>, where God says:<\/p>\n

\u201cI said, \u2018You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High.\u2019\u201d<\/strong>
\n(Psalm 82:6)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From this, we learn that the term \u201cgods\u201d was used figuratively<\/strong> in Scripture to describe human beings who were entrusted with the Word of God\u2014such as judges, prophets, or spiritual leaders who acted as God\u2019s representatives on earth. In a broader sense, it applies to all true believers<\/strong>, those who have been born of God\u2019s Spirit and now reflect His image and nature (Romans 8:14\u201317).<\/p>\n

2. God\u2019s Image and Likeness in His Children<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In Genesis 1:26\u201327, we learn that mankind was created in God\u2019s image and likeness:<\/p>\n

\u201cThen God said, \u2018Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness\u2026\u2019\u201d<\/strong>
\n(Genesis 1:26a)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This means that God designed us to mirror His nature and character<\/strong>. To be called \u201cgods\u201d in this biblical sense is not to be divine beings in ourselves, but to live as His image-bearers<\/strong>, empowered by His Word and Spirit.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why Jesus said in John 14:12<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\u201cMost assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also.\u201d<\/strong>
\n(John 14:12)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So, just as God created through His Word, He now works through us<\/strong> by His Spirit and Word. Those who live according to His Word are partakers of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:3\u20134), and therefore can be called \u201cgods\u201d in the sense of being His authorized representatives<\/strong> on earth.<\/p>\n

3. God of gods, King of kings, and Lord of lords<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When the Bible calls God the \u201cGod of gods,\u201d<\/strong> it\u2019s the same way it calls Him the \u201cKing of kings\u201d<\/strong> (Revelation 19:16) and \u201cLord of lords.\u201d<\/strong> This doesn\u2019t mean He is king over idols or corrupt leaders. It means that all true kings, all true lords, and all who are called gods in the right sense, are under His supreme authority<\/strong>. He is the ultimate source of all authority, righteousness, and power.<\/p>\n

4. Our Calling as God\u2019s Children<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To be called a \u201cgod\u201d in this sense, you must be a child of God<\/strong>\u2014born again, filled with His Spirit, and growing in His likeness. That means displaying His character:<\/p>\n

\u201cBut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.\u201d<\/strong>
\n(Galatians 5:22\u201323)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If we don\u2019t live like God, we cannot claim to be His true children. The name carries responsibility<\/strong>, not status. It\u2019s not about pride, but about reflecting the nature of the One we belong to<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Final Encouragement:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let us continue to grow in our knowledge of God, walk in His Spirit, and live out His Word, so that we may be worthy of the high calling to be called His children\u2014and truly reflect His glory.<\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore be imitators of God as dear children.\u201d<\/strong>
\n(Ephesians 5:1)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

God bless you richly.<\/strong><\/p>\n