In times of deep crisis and distance, a nation naturally looks beyond its historical founders and turns toward an eternal source of mercy. The ultimate plea relies on the unbreakable bond between a father and his children. There is a basic expectation that a father will have immediate compassion for his children, unable to stand by while they suffer, and will naturally take responsibility for their well-being [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. However, unlike human fathers who only walk alongside their children for a brief lifetime, God is a living and eternal father [רד״ק, אבן עזרא].
The historical patriarchs hold specific roles in the nation's foundation. Abraham is recognized as the first to establish a covenant with God. Israel, or Jacob, stands as the final seal of the patriarchs and the exclusive root of the people. Every one of Israel's descendants remained pure and continued his path, unlike Abraham and Isaac, whose lineages also produced other nations [אבן עזרא, רד״ק].
Despite their greatness, these human founders are ultimately limited in their ability to help future generations. The primary approach among commentators notes a simple historical reality: the patriarchs passed away long ago and were not present to witness the nation's struggles, such as the slavery in Egypt or the long journey through the desert [רש״י, רד״ק]. This absence highlights a broader truth that the people have no true support or father figure other than God [שד״ל]. Furthermore, human ancestors, no matter how spiritually great, might become deeply disappointed in descendants who stray from their path, potentially disowning them in times of sin [ביאור שטיינזלץ].
Other perspectives suggest that during their greatest moments of divine revelation, such as the Covenant Between the Parts or Jacob's vision of the ladder, these ancestors did not pray for the future troubles of the Israelites, acting almost as if they did not know them [מצודת דוד]. A more precise distinction is made between intellectual knowledge and sensory recognition. Abraham did not have the intellectual certainty that only the Israelites would become God's chosen people, given his diverse lineage. Israel knew intellectually that all his sons would form God's tribes, but he lacked the sensory ability to physically see and recognize the distant future generations [מלבי״ם].
Faced with the limits of their human ancestors, the people intensify their cry to God, their true father and eternal redeemer. Throughout history, God has consistently proven Himself as a caring father, and His very identity is recognized as the savior of the Israelites [רש״י, מצודת דוד, שד״ל]. This cry carries a bold claim: because He has always been known as the redeemer, failing to save His people now would lead other nations to conclude that He is powerless, ultimately disgracing His great name across the world [מלבי״ם].