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The actual expression "Our Father" is rare in the O.T., occurring but three times in the
prayer in Isa. 63: 16 (twice); 64: 8:
"Doubtless Thou art our Father . . . . . Thou, O Lord, art our Father, our Redeemer."
". . . . . now, O Lord, Thou art our Father."
In verse 16 Jehovah is their Father in contrast to Abraham and Israel (Jacob), who,
although `fathers' of Israel, yet could take no knowledge of them since they were asleep.
The contrast in 64: 8 may be seen thus:
a |
O Lord Thou art our Father
b
| we are the clay
a |
Thou (art) our Potter
b
| we all are the work of Thy hand.
The conception of the Father in this context is of one Who has fashioned them as the
Heavenly Potter and could take knowledge of them. Such an one is called upon (63: 15)
to "Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of Thy holiness and of Thy
glory". Compare this with, "Our Father, Who art in heaven".
The conception of the Fatherhood of God in the O.T. was however, limited. It was the
coming of the Son that was to show to Israel the real meaning of the relationship. When
Philip requested, "Lord show us the Father and it sufficeth us", he was met with the
answer:
"Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me Philip? he that
hath seen Me hath seen the Father" (John 14: 8, 9).
If they had known Him, they would have known the Father, for He revealed the
Father. The expression "Our Father" would thus take on new meaning according to their
knowledge of the Son.
One point which should be noticed is that although the Lord encouraged His disciples
to use the expression "Our Father", yet we have no record that He Himself ever used it.
The nearest He came to it was in John 20: 17:
"Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and
say unto them, I ascended unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your
God."
The Lord was one with His brethren (Heb. 2: 11-13) and yet preeminent among them
(Rom. 8: 29), and thus it was not to Him "Our Father", but "My Father and your
Father". Let none mistake the condescension of the Lord in being made `like unto His
brethren' for inferiority. He is "the firstborn of all creation, for by Him were all things
created", and "firstborn from the dead, that in (or among) all things He might have the
pre-eminence" (Col. 1: 15-18).
The expression "Our Father" is suggestive of a Father Who belongs to us, but if the
Greek be rendered literally another aspect is revealed. Pater hemon is actually "Father of