It is interesting to note that the first time that God calls
Himself Father is not until He and David are discussing the building of a
temple. David wished to build a permanent structure for God’s worship,
but God tells him, “No.” He says that David’s son will build the temple
and that “I [God] will be a Father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he
commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the
sons of men, but my lovingkindness shall not depart from him…Your [David’s]
house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be
established forever.” 2 Samuel 7:14-16 (Also found in 1 Chronicles 17:13,
22:10, and 28:6-7.)
Why did God not call Himself Father to the Israelites while
they were wandering in the wilderness or even to Abraham? (I will check
and do a word study on “children” tomorrow and see if God calls Israel His
children during this time). I think, maybe, that God had to establish
Himself as God first. The Israelites were still drawn to and worshipping
false idols. They had to recognize God as God and Lord even though He
desired to be their Father which denotes relationship. (We will see
God’s desires in Jeremiah later!) God gave the Israelites the Law.
This was for their protection and provision. The same reasons that our
earthly fathers gave us rules. So even though He did not call Himself
Father, He stood before the people as their Father.
This passage shows God as Father. He will discipline
and correct but, He will never leave! God the Father is a forever
Father!!!
Deuteronomy 32:5,6 might just be the first time I see the reference for God as Father and Israel his children. I do like how you point out that God's relational intimacy with his people becomes closer and closer the more he reveals himself to them. Father and Son vs. distant God, surely make a difference when it comes to love and discipline in my life! Thank you Lord for being a forever loving just and merciful Father! Great Post!
ReplyDeleteTHE WORDS OF GOD THE FATHER
ReplyDeleteWhere do men find the words of God the Father? Why do men reject the written words of God the Father?
John 7:16 So Jesus answered them and said, "My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me.
John 8:28 So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.
John 12:49-50 For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50 I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak , I speak just as the Father told Me."
The teachings of Jesus and the actions of Jesus were all from God the Father. Jesus did not read and follow the man-made catechisms from the Jewish elders. Jesus did not get His instruction from the scribes and Pharisees.
WHERE DID THE APOSTLES GET THEIR DOCTRINE?
John 14:24-26 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me. 25 These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
John 16:12-15 ....13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth...... He will disclose to you what is to come......
The apostles learned from Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The words of Jesus were that of the Father. The Father sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles so they could remember all that Jesus taught them and be taught future events.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
The gospel of Christ, the terms for pardon, and the doctrine for Christian living, are all from God the Father. Jesus, the apostles and the Holy Spirit delivered the message. It is all found in the Bible.
Jesus, and the Holy Spirit taught the apostles ALL THE TRUTH.There is no more truth, in addition to, what the Father has given us through Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the apostles. All the truth is found in the Bible and the Bible alone.
The apostles had all the truth before John Calvin, John Wesley, Joesph Smith Jr, all the Popes, Billy Graham, Oral Roberts, and Martin Luther were born. There is no new Scripture. There is no new revelation from God.
THE APOSTLES WERE GUIDED INTO ALL TRUTH BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. There are no new truths found in the catechisms, creed books nor any other extra-Biblical books written by men.
THE ONLY APOSTLE ALIVE TODAY ARE THE FALSE ONES!
MEN REJECT THE WORDS OF THE GOD THE FATHER BY OBEYING MAN-MADE DOCTRINE, RATHER THAN ACCEPTING THE BIBLE AND THE BIBLE ALONE AS THE TRUTH!
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