SIVAN 2
Father
“This, then, is the way
you should pray: ‘OUR FATHER …”
(Mat 6:9, emphasis mine)
According to statistics (readily available
on-line), the number of children living in single parent homes in the United
States for the year 2017 was almost 20 million children, with over 16 million
living with their mother only[1]. It is alarming to realize that the new normal
for our current society is single parent homes, where the father is
conspicuously absent, or worse, where the father is present, but is violent and
abusive. Children are growing up having
never experienced the love, safety and security of a God-fearing, God-loving
man living in his proper position as a father, and head of his household. Such role models are becoming few and far
between, and without an example to follow, young men are maturing into
reflections of the world around them.
This is especially of concern when we realize that these are the
children of the future: what future do they have?
For those of us who claim to be children of the Living Elohim (see Gal 3:26), we do have a father that is THE father of all fathers. Because He has provided for us a covenant that we know is truth, we also know that our Abba Father can be trusted, and is true to His word. We know of His love, His care, His provision for us, His children, and we live in safety and security.
The Amidah does not specifically call Elohim “Father”; nevertheless, the opening paragraph of this ‘Standing Prayer’ is filled with references to a personal God, one that is honored and revered. And is this not indicative of a relationship with our Father? However, because He is OUR Father, we also recognize and understand that He is the One in charge, and that we must remain in submission to and in accordance with His ways, His will, and His rules. Lest there be any misunderstanding, our Father has written all His instructions down for us to follow, all found within the pages of His Torah. And they are not hard to follow, nor are they heavy to bear (Deu 30:11-14; 1John 5:3).
“For You ARE our Father—even if Abraham would not
know us or Israel not recognize us. You, Adonai, are our Father, our
Redeemer—from everlasting is Your Name.” (Isa 63:16 TLV,
emphasis mine)
©2022
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