PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

May 11, 2025

MOTHER’S DAY

This Mother’s Day I would like to have a look at the female face of God in the scriptures.  Given that the Bible was written by men, translated by men, transmitted by men, and canonized by men, I am surprised there are as many female images of the face of God as there are.  As a guide I shall be using a list compiled by the Women’s Ordination Conference.  I will be indicating verses on their list with an “*.”  Also, I will be using the conference’s translation for the texts on their list.

Genesis 1:27 describes both men and women being made in the image of God.  “Humankind was created as God’s reflection: in the divine image God created them; female and male, God made them (Gensis 1:27).*” In Hosea 11:3-4 and Psalm 131:2 God is described as a mother: God “Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk.  I who took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them.  I lead them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love, I was to them like Those who lift infants to their cheeks.  I bent down to them and fed them (Hosea 11:3-4).*”  “But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me. (Psalm 131:2).*”

There are a number of instances where God is like a mother hen.  Jesus: “Jerusalem. Jerusalem the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!  How often I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing (Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34).*” “I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings (psalm 61:4).”  “Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge.  I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed (Psalm 57:1).”  Once God is compared to a mother bear: “Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack them and tear them asunder (Hosea 13:8).*”

In the scriptures we find God who gives birth, a women in labor, and a nursing mother: “You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you; you forgot the God who gave you birth (Deuteronomy 32:18).*” (See also Isaiah 66:9) God: “For a long time I have held my peace, I have kept myself still and restrained myself; now I will cry out like a woman in labor.  I will gasp and pant (Isaiah 42:14).*” God: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb?  Even these may forget, yet will not forget you (Isaiah 49:15).*” In Isaiah 66:13 God is described as a comforting mother: God: “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem (Isaiah 66:13).*”

One of the factors that were influential in the Roman Catholic’s veneration of Mary was that in a male dominated church, women felt uncomfortable praying to a God who very likely would not understand their concerns and problems.  However, women did feel comfortable praying to Mary, the mother of Jesus, so that she might share these concerns with her son.  All of us feel more comfortable sharing our deepest concerns with someone who has walked a similar path as ours during their journey under the sun.

It is my hope that this musing would encourage you to take a new look at the female face of God in scriptures. I have only scratched the surface.  Let me know what you find as you dig deeper into the presence of women in the scriptures.

Comments may be sent to davidh15503@embarqmail.com.