Titles of the Father – My Helper
Titles of the Father – My Helper.
Then Manoah, father of Samson, asked the Angel of Yahweh, ‘What is your name, so that we may honor you when your words come true?’ The Angel of Yahweh replied, ‘Why do you ask my name? It is a name of wonder. It is unknowable, and too wonderful for you to understand!’” (Judges 13:18).
Trying to determine a list of God’s titles in the Hebrew Bible can be a tricky business, a daunting task. For one thing, the differences between a name and a title are unclear and they often overlap. There are times, too, when one is tempted to consider a common noun or adjective or metaphor to be a title if it happens to reference God. And there are plenty of times when we read of a character description of God, or a unique ability of God, and we find ourselves turning them into titles. So the titles of the Father that I will highlight in this series is a list, not the list. For all I know, there may not even be a definitive list of God’s titles. I aim to provide varied glimpses of God the Father in the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament… who He is, what He can do, what He represents, what He has done. Most importantly, I pray the readers of these titles are able to maintain the Jewish tradition of using God’s titles as ways of addressing the Almighty. As we address God in prayer and worship, may we feel free to put a capital letter at the beginning of each title, making the title an aspect of His identity. In that way each title could be another way to honor God and recognize His greatness.
“Behold, Elohim God is my Helper; Yahweh is the one who sustains me.’ (Psalm 54:4).
My Helper (Hebrew: Ozer, Ezer, or Ezri); a supportive ally; someone who is side-by-side to protect a needy person; a much-needed rescuer; a suitable companion who stands ready to help; a friend who surrounds a needy person with support and assistance; someone who is ready to drop everything to help in a practical way.
I am the Lord, the King of the universe, says Yahweh, but I also am your helper! Do not fear if you feel helpless, for I will be your First Responder. Through my Spirit of love, I will come alongside you to support, protect and rescue you. I am your ultimate Helper, and my people will surround you in my Name to help you. I created Eve to be a helper to Adam, an ezer to be at his side (Gen. 2:18). I will be your Eve, your helpmate. I will be the Eve to your Adam. I am a practical God, and I will do whatever it takes to help you. My servant Moses understood this desire of mine to be of assistance, and I am honored that he named his son Eliezer, “God is help.” And Moses told his people, My people, about my love of being an ozer when he said in his dying words, “There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor. The eternal God is your refuge, and His everlasting arms are under you.” (Deuteronomy 33:26-27). And my friend David knew what to do when he was overwhelmed. He cried out, “O Lord, be my Helper!” (Ps. 30:10). And David said something that is music to my ears, “I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not tarry! (Ps. 70:5). If only all my people could say with confidence, “I will lift my eyes to the hills. From whence shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Ps. 121:1-2). Isn’t it wonderful that the saints of my Son would remember this about me? “The Lord Yahweh is my Helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6, quoting the Septuagint version of Ps. 118:6).