Fatherless: God Will: Be a Father of
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The term "fatherless" in the Bible often refers to orphans or those who lack a paternal figure in their lives. Throughout Scripture, God expresses a profound concern for the fatherless, promising to be their protector and provider. This divine care is a recurring theme, highlighting God's compassion and justice.

Divine Compassion and Justice

God's heart for the fatherless is evident in His laws and commandments given to the Israelites. In Deuteronomy 10:18, it is written, "He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing." This verse underscores God's commitment to justice and provision for those without a father, ensuring they are not neglected or oppressed.

Protector and Provider

The Psalms frequently echo this sentiment, portraying God as a defender of the fatherless. Psalm 68:5 declares, "A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is God in His holy habitation." Here, God is depicted as taking on the role of a father, offering protection and care from His divine dwelling.

Divine Advocacy

In the prophetic books, God's advocacy for the fatherless is further emphasized. Isaiah 1:17 calls the people to "Learn to do right; seek justice, correct the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." This command reflects God's desire for His people to mirror His own concern for justice and care for the vulnerable.

New Testament Affirmation

The New Testament continues this theme, with James 1:27 stating, "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." This verse affirms the importance of caring for the fatherless as a reflection of true faith and devotion to God.

God's Promise of Presence

Throughout Scripture, God's promise to be a father to the fatherless is not merely a pledge of provision but also of His presence. In Psalm 146:9, it is written, "The LORD watches over the foreigner; He sustains the fatherless and the widow, but the ways of the wicked He frustrates." God's watchful care ensures that the fatherless are not alone, but are under His constant protection and guidance.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of God as a father to the fatherless reveals His deep compassion and commitment to justice. Through His laws, prophetic messages, and the teachings of the New Testament, God consistently calls His people to reflect His heart by caring for those who lack a paternal figure.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 68:5
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of Jesus, God and Man; and the Testimonies of the Prophets ...
... be twice born, that He also might become "fatherless" and "motherless ... set up His
throne for ever; and I will be to ... son of David built a temple for God, and the ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xiii of jesus god and.htm

The Mercy of God
... In thee the fatherless find mercy.' Hosea 14:4. God ... made of marble, which the mercy
of God will not dissolve ... As God is the Father of mercy, show yourselves to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/9 the mercy of god.htm

Sacrifice to Caesar or to God
... the Father, is this, to visit the fatherless and widows ... our duty, we are indeed
worshipping God the Father ... offering him a sacrifice which He will surely accept ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xli sacrifice to caesar.htm

How to Keep Passion Week
... it consists in this"'to visit the fatherless and widows ... the mind of Christ which
is the Spirit of God? ... That the father will surely hear the child, when the ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon i how to keep.htm

Proofs from the Plain Testimony of Moses, and of the Other ...
... 7. But neither will these men be able to maintain ... the law had begun to despise God,
did not ... following after rewards, not judging the fatherless, and negligent ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter ii proofs from the plain.htm

God in the Covenant
... I have no father or friend, and yet I am neither fatherless nor friendless; my ... of
bliss and to enjoy a heaven below; get near to God, and you will get near ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/god in the covenant.htm

A Prayer when one Begins to be Sick.
... Yet, O my God, seeing it is thy property more to ... Or who will succour me, if thou
dost forsake me? ... of the helpless, and in thee the fatherless findeth mercy ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/a prayer when one begins.htm

The Ministration of the Spirit and Prayer
... "We," they said, "will give ourselves to ... James writes: "Pure religion and undefiled
before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter ii the ministration of.htm

The Forgiving Spirit in Prayer
... Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow ... And when you stand praying,
spread them all out before God. ... And He will hear you, and He will help you till ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/xxi the forgiving spirit in.htm

The Joyous Return
... Now, if God receives the fatherless, who have none to take care of them, and he ... Then
I will go to him ... Does God take up those whom father and mother have forsaken ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the joyous return.htm

Resources
Should a Christian consider foster care? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about caregiving? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from the tribe of Naphtali? | GotQuestions.org

Fatherless: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Fatherless

Fatherless: A Curse on Those Who Oppress

Fatherless: A Type of Zion in Affliction

Fatherless: Afflict Not

Fatherless: Blessedness of Taking Care of

Fatherless: Daughters of Zelophehad

Fatherless: Defend

Fatherless: Defraud Not

Fatherless: do No Violence To

Fatherless: Esther

Fatherless: Find Mercy in God

Fatherless: God Will: Be a Father of

Fatherless: God Will: Be a Helper of

Fatherless: God Will: Execute the Judgment of

Fatherless: God Will: Hear the Cry of

Fatherless: God Will: Punish Those Who Judge Not

Fatherless: God Will: Punish Those Who Oppress

Fatherless: Joash

Fatherless: Jotham

Fatherless: Let Them Share in Our Blessings

Fatherless: Lot

Fatherless: Mephibosheth

Fatherless: Oppress Not

Fatherless: Promises With Respect To

Fatherless: The Wicked: Judge not For

Fatherless: The Wicked: Murder

Fatherless: The Wicked: Oppress

Fatherless: The Wicked: Overwhelm

Fatherless: The Wicked: Rob

Fatherless: The Wicked: Vex

Fatherless: Visit in Affliction

Fatherless: Wrong Not, in Judgment

Fatherlessness

Related Terms

Orphan (25 Occurrences)

Orphans (12 Occurrences)

Widows (33 Occurrences)

Widow (71 Occurrences)

Widow's (7 Occurrences)

Levite (43 Occurrences)

Foreigner (99 Occurrences)

Oppress (57 Occurrences)

Alien (102 Occurrences)

Aliens (53 Occurrences)

Gates (156 Occurrences)

Sojourner (81 Occurrences)

Strange (234 Occurrences)

Vindicate (18 Occurrences)

Forgotten (69 Occurrences)

Deprive (17 Occurrences)

Manservant (14 Occurrences)

Man-servant (18 Occurrences)

Maidservants (28 Occurrences)

Menservants (19 Occurrences)

Cuttest (5 Occurrences)

Bruised (36 Occurrences)

Oppressed (81 Occurrences)

Maid-servant (49 Occurrences)

Rights (35 Occurrences)

Pledge (55 Occurrences)

Satisfied (110 Occurrences)

Rejoiced (83 Occurrences)

Stranger (152 Occurrences)

Helper (58 Occurrences)

Justice (212 Occurrences)

Needy (83 Occurrences)

Maidservant (73 Occurrences)

Poor (276 Occurrences)

Afflicted (171 Occurrences)

Raiment (75 Occurrences)

Due (93 Occurrences)

Execute (83 Occurrences)

Father-in-law (25 Occurrences)

Plead (64 Occurrences)

Remains (118 Occurrences)

Loveth (88 Occurrences)

Oppression (67 Occurrences)

Shed (73 Occurrences)

Tithe (30 Occurrences)

Loves (97 Occurrences)

Wages (52 Occurrences)

Rejoice (259 Occurrences)

Behind (188 Occurrences)

Female (95 Occurrences)

Portion (227 Occurrences)

Bondman (108 Occurrences)

Victim (3 Occurrences)

Vexation (36 Occurrences)

Vileness (5 Occurrences)

Kindled (83 Occurrences)

Unspotted (3 Occurrences)

Unfortunate (4 Occurrences)

Upholdeth (8 Occurrences)

Upholds (12 Occurrences)

Unstained (4 Occurrences)

Undefiled (7 Occurrences)

Upside (7 Occurrences)

Overlook (7 Occurrences)

Olive-tree (17 Occurrences)

Overwhelm (18 Occurrences)

One's (59 Occurrences)

Oppressively (1 Occurrence)

Overpassed (1 Occurrence)

Olden (2 Occurrences)

Overpass (1 Occurrence)

Orphan's (1 Occurrence)

Oneself (10 Occurrences)

Judicial (2 Occurrences)

Less (93 Occurrences)

Laborers (19 Occurrences)

Landmark (5 Occurrences)

Glean (12 Occurrences)

Gladden (7 Occurrences)

Fatherless: Find Mercy in God
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