THE MOTHERHOOD OF GOD
We think of God as “Father,” and rightly so. He is always referred to in with male pronouns. The Lord’s Prayer tells us to pray “Our Father” (Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:1). Jesus and Paul both called God “Abba (Daddy)” (Romans 8:15; Mark 14:36 and Galatians 4:6). As our Father we focus on His sovereignty and oversight, His protection and provision and His guidance and wisdom. He perfectly fits the Father role we all need.
However, God also fits the “mother” role perfectly as well. He is loving and comforting, caring, sacrificial, tender, gentle, nurturing and full of grace and mercy. While men have these qualities as well, we usually think of them as coming more from females. But if females have these traits, where did they originate? If ‘male’ characteristics came from God, then ‘female’ ones must have as well. Are you following me here? If all the good we see in fatherhood came from God, then it stands to reason that all the good we see in motherhood does as well. There is no other source.
That’s why God created Eve, to fill up the empty spaces missing in Adam (Genesis 2:18). Clearly Adam and Eve (man and woman) have traits and characteristics unique to their gender. Since God created them both then the source of both is God Himself, therefore God has all the good traits that both men and woman have. God is also our Heavenly Mother as well as our Heavenly Father. Let’s look at how this plays out in our lives.
God gives us birth. “You have forgotten the Rock who bore you and put out of mind the God who gave you birth” (Deuteronomy 32:18). God is the source of our life, just as a female is the source of life of her offspring. Our physical and spiritual life originate with God (Isaiah 66:8-9). Think of a loving mother with a newborn, carefully and attentively caring for it, and then picture God treating you in the same way.
God raises and protects us. “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions, the Lord alone guided him” (Deuteronomy 32:11-12). An eagle is often used as an image of God. What we don’t always notice is that the eagle pictured is female. It is the mother who bears the young eaglets and teaches them to fly. God takes care of us as a mother eagle takes care of her young. God nurtures us, protects us from unknown danger and provides for all out needs.
Another mother bird is used as an example of God’s motherly care for us. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem!.. How many times I wanted to put my arms around all your people, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let me!” (Matthew 23:37-38). In times of danger a hen will gather her chicks under her wings for protection from enemy or fire. They will absorb the hurt and protect their young (Psalm 57:1). That’s what Jesus did for us on the cross.
God worked through Paul and others, including church leaders today, to care for Christians as a mother cares for her children (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8).
God disciplines us. “I will fall upon them [disobedient Israel] like a bear robbed of her cubs” (Hosea 13:8). God’s wrath against that which would harm His children is like the wrath of a mother bear protecting her young. God protects us from Satan, the world and sin. He doesn’t remove our option to sin, but He disciplines us when we do sin so we won’t continue in sin (Hebrews 12:6; Proverbs 3:11-12). Those verses say that God’s correction in our life is proof we are His and He loves us. He loves us, but He hates the sin in our life and goes after it like a mother bear goes after someone harming her children. Suppose God gave us everything we wanted and let us go any direction we chose? As any good parent, He corrects us so we will go the right way.
God provides for us daily. Many parables show God as a man providing for the needs of others, but some also refer to women (Luke 13:20-21; 15:8). “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13). God cares for us like a loving, godly mother cares for her children. He is ever watching over us, anticipating our every need and encouraging us. He doesn’t just provide for our physical needs, but also for our emotional ones. His Spirit comforts us when we are anxious or discouraged. He provides for us as a good mother does for her children.
I don’t know what your earthly mother was like, but take a few moments to think of God as an unseen but always-there mother throughout your life. Thank Him for His faithful, sacrificial love shown to you.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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