God as Father

-

God as Father

John 14:1–14
Excerpt
From early in Israel’s history, God was regarded as a father (cf. personal names such as Eliab, Joab “God is [my] father”; Abijah, Abiel “my father is God”). Yahweh was recognized as the father of Israel (e.g., Isa. 63:16; Jer. 3:4; Mal. 1:6), both as suzerain in the covenant relationship (e.g., Deut. 7:14) and as creator of the world (e.g., 32:6; Mal. 2:10). Just as the human father, God possesses ultimate authority (Mal. 1:6; Matt. 7:21–23). Similarly, he demonstrates his love and care for his children (Exod. 4:22–23; Deut. 1:31; Jer. 31:9, 20; Matt. 6:26–34; 18:14). The Gospels frequently distinguish between the relationship of God to his son Jesus (“my father”) and to the disciples (“your father”; cf. John 20:17). Because of Jesus’ particular nature as God’s “only begotten son” (1:14, 18) and thus the authority (8:28–38;14:10) and intimacy (e.g., 1:18; 10:38) they share, mankind has access to the Father only through the Son (14:6). Nevertheless, Jesus urged his followers to approach God intimately, confident of his warmth and grace (cf. Matt. 6:8–9, 32; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6; see Abba). In later Christian theology God the Father was regarded as the first person of the trinity (cf. Matt. 28:19). 
Myers, Allen C. The Eerdmans Bible dictionary 1987 : 378. Print.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Furnishings of the Tabernacle

-
Image
Furnishings of the Tabernacle . ‎The book of Exodus details the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings. As Yahweh’s sanctuary, the tabernacle served as God’s dwelling place among the Israelites—the expression of the covenant between Yahweh and His people ( Exod 25:8–9 ).
Read more

A Threshing Floor

-
Image
A Threshing Floor In the ancient world, farmers used threshing floors to separate grain from its inedible husk (chaff) by beating it with a flail or walking animals on it—sometimes while towing a threshing sledge. Sledges were fitted with flint teeth to dehusk the grain more quickly. Other workers would turn the grain over so that it would be evenly threshed by the sledge.
Read more

Modern Mount Calvary

-
Image
Modern Mount Calvary ‎Great authorities are marshaled in favor of both claimants—the church within and the mound without the walls. For a long time, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was the only traditional spot pointed out as the place of burial. But with the growing influence of the Grotto of Jeremiah, the modern Mount Calvary, a picture of which we give, increased in favor. This whole discussion as to the place where Christ was crucified, and as to the tomb in which His body was placed, turns upon the direction which the walls about Jerusalem took at the time of the crucifixion. If the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was outside the wall at that time, as Dean Stanley thinks it might have been, the chances in favor of its being the place of crucifixion and burial are increased. If, however, the site of this church was inside the wall at that time it is sure that the place of burial and crucifixion was not there, for Christ was crucified outside of the walls of Jerusalem. And ...
Read more