Where in the Biblical narrative does God first reveal himself as the only living and true god?
Upvote:1
The first documented revelation of God in scripture is in the book of Job which preceded the Pentateuch. In the first chapter is the account of the sons of God, Satan among them, presenting themselves before God.
It is clear from the account that the beings called 'sons of God' are subservient, in that they are sons. And it is clear from the narrative that Satan only has power within the limitations that God sets upon him.
I would say therefore, in answer to the question, that it is first made clear in Job chapter one that God is above all other who might be called 'god'.
God who is revealed in the book of Job is he who, later, reveals himself to Abraham and to Moses as Jehovah, (Genesis 15:2, 15:8), (Deuteronomy 3:24, 9:26).
[Edit Note: Job refers to God as Adonai in 12:9; as El in 16:11; as Elohim in 2:10 and as Eloah in 6:9.]
[Reference : Young's Analytical Concordance.]
Upvote:1
Genesis 1:1 -
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. - NIV
This sets the context of the narrative. False gods are introduced incidentally much much later in the narrative (after the confusion of Babel). The fact that there is absolutely no mention of the presence or creation of other gods at the beginning is significant - it stands in contrast to all the polytheistic creation myths.
Upvote:2
I think you are missing something by eliminating verses that contain the qualifiers along the lines of "there are no gods like me." I think these are very strong statements for God being the only living god.
What you seem to be saying is that a statement like this is comparative in nature, i.e. "No god is like me in what I am able to do" or "No god is as great as I am." I would posit that God is actually talking about his nature in statements like these. So what God is saying is more along the lines of "No god is of the same nature as I am." In other words, no other gods exist.
That being said, to specifically answer your question, I would say Deuteronomy 6:4 is a strong statement for God being the one true god:
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. (NIV)
The footnotes in multiple translations note that this could also be translated as
The Lord is our God, the Lord alone
Upvote:2
Deuteronomy provides much of the early "one true only God" motif. Here are some references.
Deut. 32:39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
Deut. 4:35 Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.
Deut. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
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