O'Donoghue MTh_Thesis-FinalCopy.pdf - South African Theological ...

ightly notes that humans are more valuable to God than birds as humans are madein the image of God.By Jesus saying that the birds neither, “sow nor reap nor gather into barns,” He isclearly making a reference to the human desire for financial security (Hagner1993:163). The birds when compared to the ongoing farming activities found in verse26 are seen as “carefree (p. 164).” Even with such an analogy the admonition here isnot to neglect work, but in working hard to trust God to provide (Blomberg 2007:29).This is argued firstly by affirming this scripture needs to be understood in light of OTwisdom literature, which encourages the reader to reject laziness and be diligent inworking to supply for one’s needs. Secondly, as Blomberg (1992:125) says, birds inthe day to day activity of gathering food are very diligent in their work ethic. So it isnot that Jesus is discouraging hard work, but like the birds, disciples ultimately relyon God’s goodness for provision (Blomberg 1992:125; Hill 1977).Jesus here refers to God as, “your Heavenly Father” who feeds the birds and whovalues His disciples more than birds. Heavenly Father is Matthew’s “favourite anddistinctive title for God (Hagner 1993: 164).” That God is a “Heavenly Father” carriessignificance for this passage. Heaven does refer to a literal place. Earlier in the SOMJesus teaches His disciples to pray to their Father in Heaven, and for the Father’swill to be executed on earth as it is in Heaven (Matt.6:9-10). The idea being thatthere is a place called Heaven where God’s will is perfectly carried out. However thefact that He is the disciples’ “Heavenly’” Father carries more than the idea that herules over a place called Heaven.God as Heavenly Father makes the point that God is transcendent and high above“everything earthly,” and is used to show God’s absolute cosmic rule (Traub1967:520). Further it shows that God has no spatial restrictions and thus “knows allthings, sees all things, can do all things, and is thus accessible to all (p.520-521).” Itis this idea of God as heavenly Father intimately knowing the needs of His discipleswhich is being put across.The idea of God being a Father is not extended to every person (Schrenk 1967:910).While God is portrayed as good to all of creation, the word Father is reserved for56