There is alot of symbolism in this painting. Scripture tells us that the father is the covering over his household, just as God is the covering over His children. As the father in this painting lifts and carries his child upon his strong shoulders, he walks underneath the tree covering, representing his covering by God as he covers his child. He walks toward the covering and against the path of the world. The only way God can cover his children is if we don't follow the ways of the world, but the ways of God. There's no safer place to be.
