How is God a Father to the fatherless?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

God is “father to the fatherless,” an orphan’s missing father. That is, since the child has no father, God says He will step up to act in place of the missing father. Orphans, particularly in biblical times—though we see similar problems in third world countries—were highly vulnerable. They had no support system or care and were easy targets.

God hates injustice (Deuteronomy 16:19-20; Isaiah 10:1-2; Micah 6:8) and burns in anger against those who treat the vulnerable unjustly (Exodus 22:21-24). Scripture teaches that there is One who knows about all crimes against orphans (and others), will hear their cries (Psalm 10:17-18, 34:17-18) and exact vengeance for them (Deuteronomy 10:18). In summary, being the “father to the fatherless” means that God will judge those who inflict pain on the vulnerable.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Psalm 68:5 describes God as “a Father of the fatherless and protector of widows.” God looks out for the vulnerable.
• Similarly, Psalm 10:14c says that God is, “the helper of the fatherless.” We also read in Psalm 146:9 that “The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.”” God, as Father to orphans, acts on their behalf to protect them.
• God commanded the Israelites to not mistreat or take advantage of a stranger, orphan, or widow. To do so was to invite His anger: “You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless” (Exodus 22:21-24).
• Solomon wrote, “He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD” (Proverbs 17:15). Any miscarriage of justice is an abomination to God. To unfairly treat those who can’t fight back is unjust, and something that God hates. Since orphans do not have fathers to stand up for them, God will act as their father.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• God expects believers to care for orphans and widows within the church community. (c.f., Acts 6:1; 1 Timothy 5:3; James 1:27).
• Scripture also describes God as believers’“Heavenly Father” (Matthew 6:9). The concepts “father to the fatherless” and “Heavenly Father” should not be confused. Being the “father to the fatherless” does not mean that orphans have a special spiritual relationship to God. God is not their Father in the sense that we think of as Christians (c.f., John 1:12-13). The word “father” teaches us that God is like a father, protecting the rights of orphans who are otherwise not being protected.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

God is aware of every act of injustice. He is a fierce protector of those who cannot protect themselves. Taking advantage of someone’s weakness is an invitation for His heavy judgement.

In the United States, orphans and orphanages are not as much of a major societal problem as they were during biblical times. However, in third world countries, we get a striking picture of what a completely unprotected orphan looks like. They often have literally no one and are open to all sorts of heinous crimes against them.

We are not called to find solutions for all vulnerable people, but God has called us to be aware of those in our sphere, to make sure vulnerable children and women are not being mistreated. One modern-day example is the murder of vulnerable children by abortion.

Fortunately, God knows of every baby who has been aborted. The baby may be dead, but God will step up where the earthly father failed and punish all responsible. As believers, we have a great opportunity to help plead the case of these vulnerable children. “Abortion ministry” is not the primary role of the Church, but each believer may take part in a local outreach. That is one practical way of acting out the fatherly heart of God.

Though God hates injustice against the vulnerable, He is also a loving and merciful God. There is no crime that He will not forgive. In our own ways, each one of us has rebelled against Him and each deserved His wrath. However, He graciously sent His Son to take our punishment. By repenting of whatever sin you have done and trusting in Jesus alone, even crimes against the most vulnerable can be joyfully forgiven.

UNDERSTAND

• Old Testament Mosaic Law required caring for orphans and other vulnerable people.
• The New Testament calls the church to care for orphans and widows.
• Injustice against the vulnerable, like orphans, incurs God’s anger.

REFLECT

• How does the Bible’s description of God as “Father to the fatherless” inform your view of the Lord?
• How do you distinguish God as “Father to the fatherless” with God as all believers’ Heavenly Father?
• What are some ways that you, as part of your local church, can care for the fatherless?

ENGAGE

• How can the abortion issue open the door to engaging people about God?
• Oftentimes, unbelievers point out the supposed harshness of the Mosaic Law as a criticism of theism. How can the Bible’s description of God as “Father to the fatherless” address such criticisms?
• How should we regularly care for vulnerable populations within the church? How can we encourage participation in that?