Writer, producer and teacher, Daneen Akers, joins me on the podcast this week as we take a look at the feminine references and metaphors about God in Scripture that also influenced the writing of her recent children’s book, Dear Mama God. It’s a beautiful book with gorgeous illustrations that connects us, through the eyes of a child, with the feminine side of God, which doesn’t get enough place in our pulpits.

Lest you get nervous about this conversation, check out these scripture references that describe the feminine side of God as well as links to books mentioned on the podcast.

A Woman’s Lectionary for the Whole Church by Wilda Gafney

When God Was a Little Girl by David R. Weiss

What Is God Like by Rachel Held Evans and Matthew Paul Turner

Mother God by Teresa Kim Pecinovsky

Picturing God by Ruth Goring

Maybe God Is Like That Too by Jennifer Grant

Holy Trouble Makers by Daneen Akers

The Benediction I used from Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift Her countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.

Female references to God and images of God in scripture 

Genesis 1:27 Women and Men created in God’s image

“Humankind was created as God’s reflection: in the divine image God created them; female and male, God made them.”

Hosea 11:3-4 God described as a mother

God: “Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I who took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.”

Hosea 13:8 God described as a mother bear

“Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack them and tear them asunder…”

Deuteronomy 32:11-12 God described as a mother eagle

“Like the eagle that stirs up its nest, and hovers over its young, God spreads wings to catch you, and carries you on pinions.”

Deuteronomy 32:18 God who gives birth

“You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you; you forgot the God who gave you birth.”

Isaiah 66:13 God as a comforting mother

God: “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”

Isaiah 49:15 God compared to a nursing mother

God: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”

Isaiah 42:14 God as a woman in labor

God: “For a long time I have held my peace, I have kept myself still and restrained myself; now I will cry out like a woman in labor, I will gasp and pant.”

Psalm 131:2 God as a Mother

“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me.”

Psalm 123:2-3 God compared to a woman

“As the eyes of a servant looks to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to you, YHWH, until you show us your mercy!”

Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34 God as a Mother Hen

Jesus: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”

Luke 15:8-10 God as woman looking for her lost coin

Jesus: “Or what woman having ten silver coins, is she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Note: When clicking through on links to products on Amazon, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.