God: The Father of Mercy, Glory, Spiritual Ability, and Light

In the Eastern culture of the Bible, the word “father” is used of someone who begins or supplies something. God, our heavenly Father is the beginner and source of mercy, glory, spiritual ability, and light.

Some Biblical “Fathers”

Two of Lamech’s sons, Jabal and Jubal, started two common practices in Bible culture. Jabal set up a nomadic life of dwelling in tents and raising livestock. Jubal was the first to develop musical instruments, like the harp and the organ.

Genesis 4:20,21:
And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.

Abraham believed and trusted God. He believed to have a child by Sarah named Isaac, which began the physical bloodline that led to Jesus Christ. He was the father, or founder, of many nations. In fact, God changed his name to indicate this.

Genesis 17:4,5:
As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

Jesus Christ accurately gave the Devil credit for being the first liar, and the one who continues to initiate lies and deceit among mankind.

John 8:44:
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Lucifer spoke “of his own” when he claimed to be greater than God. That was the beginning of lies that Lucifer continues to believe to this day.

Isaiah 14:12-14:
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

Romans 1:25:
Who changed the truth of God into a lie [the lie, that Satan is to be worshipped], and worshipped and served the creature [the creation, including the Devil] more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Abraham was not only the physical father of many nations. His believing example made him the first of those who trusted God and believed the Messiah would come to the end of taking action. He is the father, the first (like all of us who are born again) of all who believe.

Romans 4:11,16-18:
And he [Abraham] received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

God Our Father

God was “well pleased” with his Son, Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:17; 12:18; 17:5; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). He calls Himself “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Our Father is also the source of all mercy.

II Corinthians 1:3:
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.

The word “mercies” is plural, indicating the greatness of God’s mercy. Even though we may deserve punishment at times, He is ready to forgive and wipe away our sin. That is a merciful God and Father!

He is also the Father of glory.

Ephesians 1:17:
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.

In the Bible, glory refers to God’s power being manifested so that it can be seen. When God gives us spiritual wisdom and revelation knowledge, we can show forth His power mightily. Our Father is the source of spiritual wisdom. He is the “Father” of spirits.

Hebrews 12:9:
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

God fathered us with His spiritual incorruptible seed (I Peter 1:22,23). We are born again, born from above. And because of that we are children of light.

Ephesians 5:8:
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.

We shine as lights in this world (Philippians 2:15), just as our brother Jesus Christ did (John 8:12; 9:5). That’s because our heavenly Father is the Father of lights (again plural to show the immensity of the light).

James 1:17:
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Loving Our Father

Every day is Father’s Day with God. He loves us so and cares for us daily. Our Father is the beginner and source of all good things. We can love Him back and be thankful for all of His blessings. Since He offers it to us so freely, we can accept His great mercy and forgiveness. We can boldly manifest His power. We can enjoy sweet fellowship because of our spiritual connection in the new birth through Jesus Christ. And we can shine as lights in this world, glorifying our heavenly Father.