FATHER

Joe Slater

Where did the word “father” come from? The background of the Hebrew term (abh) is uncertain, but the Greek term (patḗr) is from a root meaning nourisher, protector, upholder (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia).

Father can refer to your closest male ancestor; that’s the way we commonly think of it. But it can also mean a more distant or remote male ancestor (perhaps what we call a grandfather or a man with several “greats” before grandfather). The Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well said, “Our fathers” (that is, our ancestors from several generations back) “worshiped on this mountain” (John 4:20).

Most importantly, Scripture uses “Father” numerous times denoting God. We who are blessed to be fathers in the flesh strive to demonstrate those positive qualities of nourishing, protecting, and upholding that characterize our Heavenly Father.

Nourishing includes far more than merely providing a balanced physical diet for our children. It involves everything that supports growth; and spiritual growth is even more important than physical growth.

God provides the protection His children need from the storms and pitfalls of life. He is “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Our children need the same protection from us as their earthly fathers.

Our Heavenly Father upholds us when the world would knock us down and when we, through weakness and sin, fall flat on our faces. Let us, as fathers, do the same for our children.