“God the Mother: our Imma”
(Deut. 32: 18; Hos. 11: 4)
What are some ways God is like a Mother to us?
Last month, I explored how God the Father can be known as Abba, or “Daddy.” It is important to note, however, that God the “Father” has no sexual-based biology. The early Jews knew this and termed God as “Father” as a way to describe how God is like a Father to us. In a patriarchal system, this meant that God provides, protects, cares, and sacrifices Gods-self for the people of God.
That title of God has persisted throughout the centuries. And rightfully so! For God is like a “Father” to us. However, seldom do we hear about how God is like a “Mother” to us. This is sad, for Scripture teaches us that God is also like a loving and caring Mother to us.
In both Deut. 32:18 and Hos. 11:4, Scripture portrays God as a Mother in the most specific and intimate of ways possible. In Deut. 32: 18, it is stated that God gave birth to Israel. In ancient times, the phrase “gave birth” was always applied to the woman. In fact, that phrase has almost always been applied to women throughout the centuries in every culture around the world. The point is simple. This verse describes God as a woman who gives birth to Israel, the people of God. Such stark imagery continues in Hosea. In Hosea 11: 14, God is described as a mother who breastfeeds her child. In other words, the imagery in this verse is that God is described as having female breasts, and who kneels down to the child and feeds the child through the act of breastfeeding.
Now, both verses are not to be taken literally. Rather, they are to be understood as analogous of God. That Israel finds its existence and creation in God. That Israel finds its sustenance in God. When read together, we begin to understand God as the One who creates and sustains us. Like a mother who gives birth to her children, we find our physical and spiritual birth in God. And just like a mother who breastfeeds her child, providing the child with the sustenance needed for life, we find the sustaining of our life in God alone.
It is true that there are more “Father” analogies in the Bible than “Mother” analogies. However, that does not mean that such “Mother” analogies are completely absent from the Bible. They are there. We just have to look for them. This truth teaches us that God is like a “Mother” to us. All the “Gender based attributions” we tend to give to mothers, then, apply to God. God is loving, caring, tender, gentle, patient, empathetic, supportive, affectionate, sacrificial, emotional, etc. Therefore, make it a habit to recognize God as “Mother.” One way you can do this is by simply referring to God as “Mother.” Never forget, my friends, God is both our Father (Abba) AND our Mother (Imma).
Dear God, my Mother, You have birthed me into being. You sustain my life. Help me to experience You as my Great Mother.
Amen.
