God’s Gender

~ Is Your God Male or Female? ~

In some Christian circles there is confusion about the gender of God.  This has been accentuated with the feminist movement of the last few decades.  What can we learn about God’s gender by looking only at Scripture without adding personal desires?  First, we must recognize that the Word of God pictures God as masculine, as feminine, and as gender neutral.  We need to come to a reasonable conclusion based entirely on what God’s Word says while understanding the culture at the time the Bible was written. 

Male Images of God  ~  When the Scriptures speak of God in gender terms it is most often in a male image.  A well known example is the Father image.  Perhaps the best known example is the model prayer Jesus gave His disciples (often mislabeled The Lord’s Prayer).  “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:9).  Another example is God as a bridegroom.  “As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:5b).  “Jesus said to them [speaking of Himself], ‘Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?  But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast’” (Matthew 9:15).  One of Scripture’s metaphors for the church universal is as Christ’s bride. 

Female Images of God  ~  Sometimes the Scriptures speak of God in terms of a female image.  For example in Isaiah we find God comparing Himself to a woman giving birth.  “I have held My peace a long time, I have been still and restrained Myself.  Now I will cry like a woman in labor, I will pant and gasp at once” (Isaiah 42:14).  Furthering this image we see God as a nurturing mother.  “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.  As they called them, so they went from them; they sacrificed to the Baals [false gods], and burned incense to carved images.  I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they did not know that I healed them.  I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck.  I stooped and fed them” (Hosea 11:1-4). In these passage we see a tender and loving God raising His children—who incidentally in this passage are referred to in a masculine gender. 

While on earth the Messiah uses the feminine gender of a hen with His chicks. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!  How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37-38).

Cultural Factors  ~  Why does Scripture present some images of God to us with gender connotations?  The economy of the time was primarily agricultural.  The fertility of the soil was paramount in thinking and many false gods arose out of the focus on fertility.  The pagan culture of the time created many gods and goddesses.  An Old Testament example was Ashtoreth, a goddess of the Canaanites, and is found in many passages (i.e., Judges 10:13; 1 Samuel 7:3-4, 12:10, 31:10).  A New Testament example was the goddess Artemis (Acts 19:27).  Given the culture of the day we should not be surprised at the use of anthropomorphisms (describing what is not human in human terms) in Scripture.  Describing God’s masculinity and His feminine qualities differentiated the one true God from all others.  In other words, the key issue involved here is God effectively communicating to mankind. 

Gender-Neutral Images of God  ~  Scripture also speaks of God as a Spirit—not just as the Spirit of God being one member of the Trinity.  The Messiah said, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). 

Key Factors  ~  First, we know that “God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27).  Second, we know that there will not be sexual differentiation in heaven.  We read, “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.  For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven’” (Matthew 22:29-30).  Third, it is worth noting that the masculine images of God are quite definite (i.e., Father) whereas the feminine images are less sharp (more like similes: prefaced by words such as “like”). 

Conclusion  ~  (1) We should not think of God as either male or female in the same sense that we consider mammals as male or female.  Rather God’s characteristics resemble both sexes.  (2) In no way does the Word of God imply that men are more like God than women are.  (3) The word pictures we have of God are meant to allow us to relate and communicate to Him more effectively. 

don’t miss this  ~  Do you marvel in the fact that you were created in God’s image? 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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Does God change His mind?

~ The Answer Might Surprise You ~

This is an interesting and complex question. Scripture is clear that our God is an unchanging God; however, on one hand we read that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), but there are some other accounts in the Word of God which appear to contradict this. We read passages which state outright that God changed His mind (Exodus 32 for example).

Comparing these and other passages could cause one to question some of the beliefs of the Christian faith. For example, we believe the Bible was inspired, literally “God-breathed,” and is without error in the original manuscripts. We believe that God is completely consistent and cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18). We also believe that God is all-knowing—“omniscient.” God is not bound as we are by time and space—He can move forward through time instantaneously.

Another aspect of this question is with regard to prayer. If God does not change His mind, then why do we pray? What is the purpose of prayer if everything has already been determined?

The Explanation ~ It is important to recognize that while the Scripture is perfect in its original form, it has been translated by imperfect humans over the centuries—sometimes with gross errors, sometimes with minor problems, and often with difficulty in transferring the correct thought from one language to another. This is key. In many instances where modern translations say God changed His mind or that God repented of His prior decision, it is due to translation problems. The Hebrew word nacham (“nawkam”), often translated into English as “changed His mind” or “repented,” is an incomplete translation. A more correct English wording would be “made a change in direction.” In other words while the original manuscripts are faultless, translators and language equivalency can be faulty! This can make a huge difference. To say someone changed his mind is quite different than saying someone changed direction.

Another key is to realize that when God says He does not change He is referring to His nature and His absolute decrees. Since He has given free will to mankind, He often allows us the choice of obeying and being blessed or going our own way and reaping the consequences.

God will not change His mind in reference to His oaths or outright decrees (Psalm 110:4 is an example). In instances of God providing direction, He often states the results of disobedience. In situations where human free will is involved, He leaves open a “change in direction” if there is obedience. This concept also provides insight into why we are commanded to pray. James 5:16 tells us prayer can achieve much.

Exodus 32 and other similar passages should be understood with these factors in mind. In the original language God tells Moses he may as well get out of there because at this point God planned to destroy the people because of their ongoing worship of idols. Such worship was something He had previously said was a capital offense (Exodus 22:20). It was as if God was providing a test for Moses.

Moses’ actions showed he did really care and love the people. Moses responded in prayer, earnestly pleading with God for the lives of the people. He responded with spiritual leadership and took his responsibilities seriously. It was on this basis that God instituted a change of direction—from what He had warned Moses was going to happen.

Earlier God had not made a final decision but had outlined to Moses the course of action currently in place. Moses responded appropriately, and therefore God was able to change His direction while remaining true to His nature. Part of the mystery in all this is that we know that God knows the end as well as He does the beginning—yet interwoven is the free will of man, in this case the free will of Moses.

Rather than a case of God not following through with His commandments, Exodus 32 actually shows a fulfillment of God’s earlier promises to show love and kindness to His people when they turn from their sin and approach Him in humility and obedience.

Consider two additional factors. First, God through His Word sometimes communicates with us through the use of anthropomorphism—using illustrations that fit our human understanding. Second, God, by definition, is so complex and above our full comprehension that we will never completely understand Him this side of heaven.

Summary ~ Does God change His mind? Not in the sense in which the question usually refers!

Does God change His direction and His actions based on the choices we make? Yes.

Does God know ahead of time what decisions and actions we will take? Yes.

Is God’s nature and character absolutely constant and unchanging? Yes!