What Jesus Said About God, His FatherSample

God the Father in the Old Testament

Calling God "Our Father" is not an idea only seen in the New Testament. It is commonly seen in the Old Testament. Jesus and the New Testament writers did not "invent" the concept of a Father.

God often refers to Israel as his "son" in several places. This implies that God sees Himself as the Father of Israel. The Fatherhood of God is clear in Exodus 4:22-23. This is the first passage where God reveals Himself as the Father of Israel: "This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son, and I told you, 'Let my son go so that he may worship me.’ But you refused to let him go so that I will kill your firstborn son."

Write down some characteristics of God the Father as He reveals Himself in these passages.

But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; you, Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. (Isaiah 63:16).

Yet, Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you our potter: We are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:8).

Rejoice before Him, whose name is the Lord—Father of the fatherless, Defender of widows (Psalm 68:5-6).

A Son honours his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honour? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me? says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name. "But you ask, 'How have we despised Your name? (Malachi 1:6).

Obedience: Reread Malachi 1:6. If God will ask you these questions right now, how will you answer him?