Perhaps the most common reference we see to God – outside of using the term “God” – is the idea of God as Father. This is a Scriptural idea, one powerful in its reference point. As with every image, title, and concept of God, it exists to teach us things about God in language we can understand. Throughout history, the image of God as Father has inspired faith, artwork, song lyrics, and more as people muse on the concept of God as the true parent of humanity.
As beautiful and ideal of an image as God as Father might be, humanity has long had a complicated relationship with parenthood. This is true with fatherhood as much as any other traditional parental role. Absentee fathers, high rates of disease, fighting in war, abandonment, and what we, in modern times, call “daddy issues” all make fatherhood a complicated issue for some. While there’s nothing wrong with seeing God as Father, let’s not forget there are other ways God reveals Himself to humanity. This Father’s Day, here’s an article for those who need to see God in a different light than Father.
Friend
One of the most overlooked images of God, at least in my opinion, is that of friend. It was once pointed out to me that we don’t value friendship like we should in society, let alone recognizing it with God. I also think it’s difficult for most of us to fathom God as both our Sovereign and our friend at the same time. In essence, though, this is one of the things that makes Christianity unique. Not only do we recognize a God Who became one of us to help us understand Him better, but One Who is willing to pull up a seat at the table and eat with us, or wash our feet as necessary. Recognizing God as friend emphasizes the closeness we have with our friends, the ability to talk freely without judgment, and to hear from Him as we need.
You are My friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. (John 15:14-15, NIV)
Creator
Creativity is one of those things we don’t laud enough in our high-tech world. To look around this world and see its magnificence is to see the hand of God, our Creator (Jehovah Bore or El Ohim), all around us. Whenever we move in creation – whether through art, music, word, fabrication or decoration, or something else – we are co-creating with God. This connects us to Him in a deeper way, realizing the ability to fashion or create comes from Him.
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (Colossians 3:9-10, NIV)
Provider
The idea of God as provider is one of the most intimate representations we have of Him. In ancient times, pagan groups believed the things they had (and all that happened to them) was the result of many gods (and sometimes goddesses). They bestowed good or bad, blessing or cursing at their discretion. The ancients saw themselves as purveyors of this cycle. They had to appease the various deities through different offerings and sacrifices, hopefully to receive the benefits of the deities. Thus, in a certain sense, the ancients were working the system themselves to merit divine favor. They provided for themselves as they did all they could to ensure the gods were happy.
Therefore, to say God provides for us or is our provider (Jehovah Jireh) is a huge deal. While yes, we have to work for a living, the ability to work (and work with what’s found on earth) comes from God Himself. Our ultimate provision doesn’t come from our employers, but from God, Who uses them to provide for us. This powerful imagery connects everything we do to God, even if we work in a secular field.
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19, NIV)
Mother
The idea of God as mother is controversial, for a few reasons. Perhaps the biggest one is it challenges our exclusively patriarchal ideas about God, handed down through generations. As uncomfortable as it might be, it’s not a feminist agenda. Throughout Biblical history, imagery of God as mother has been part of divine revelation. Reflecting nurture, comfort, feeding, caring, giving birth, protection, and motherhood, the idea of God as Mother serves as an important reminder that God is ultimately everything to those of us who love Him.
You deserted the Rock, who fathered you;
you forgot the God who gave you birth. (Deuteronomy 32:18, NIV)
“For a long time I have kept silent,
I have been quiet and held myself back.
But now, like a woman in childbirth,
I cry out, I gasp and pant.” (Isaiah 42:14, NIV)
As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you;
and you will be comforted over Jerusalem. (Isaiah 66:13, NIV)
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. (Matthew 23:37, NIV)
Source of knowledge
Some religious movements downplay the essential role of knowledge among believers. God, however, is the source of all knowledge, our El Deah. If you love acquiring information, recognizing God as the God of Knowledge is definitely for you!
For the Lord gives wisdom;
from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6, NIV)
Lover of justice
It’s not a huge secret that we live in a fallen world. Along with sin comes the sting of injustice. It’s easy to look around and think no one cares or notices the wrongs humans inflict on one another. Such leaves an overall feeling that things aren’t fair, and never will be. With God, we recognize the things we see may not be as simple as they seem. Every wrong we experience this side of heaven will be made right, even if it’s not in this lifetime. Our ever-present hope and trust is that God knows and sees all, and whether by ways we understand or not, will right every wrong that concerns us if we will stand with Him. He is, after all, the source of all justice.
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