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. . . . . . . . . . Motherhood in The BibleFrom the first pages of Genesis, God ordained the family. After the fall in Genesis 3, He told Eve that she would have pain in childbirth, but in that proclamation He also created the first mother. And throughout Scripture, mothers appear. God’s love and advocacy for women shines through the Bible, as women are given dignity, respect, attention, and responsibility in start contrast with the cultural norms at the time. Motherhood is spoken of throughout Scripture as a high and important calling. God uses the metaphor of mothers to describe the ways He loves and cares for His children (Isaiah 66:13). Mothers in the BibleThroughout Scripture, God often granted motherhood to women who were barren or otherwise unable to conceive. At many points in Jesus’ lineage, God intervened to give an infertile woman a child. Consider Abraham’s wife, Sarah; Isaac’s wife, Rebekah; Hannah, the mother of Samuel; Elizabeth, the mother of John, and of course Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus. What the Bible Says about MotherhoodMotherhood is . . .
Advice for Mothers from the BibleMotherhood is a gift from the Lord–one of the ways we can glorify and serve Him (1 Tim. 5:10). It also offers many opportunities to grow in our understanding of God’s mercy, love, and grace. Motherhood is sanctifying, but it is also sweet. Scripture teaches mothers to point children toward Christ by praying for them, modeling faith and character, and training them in wisdom (Prov 1:8, 29:15). Proverbs 22:6 conveys the general principles that if we “Train up children in the way they should go, even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Christian Mothers in HistoryHere are a few examples of mothers in the Bible and in Church History that we can learn from: * Lois and Eunice (2 Tim.1:5) – Paul says that the “sincere faith” that Timothy possesses was from his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. It appears that, even though godly men were lacking in Timothy’s upbringing, the influence of these women helped form him into the pastor and leader he became, for the benefit of the whole early church. * Monica (331-387) had great influence on her son Augustine’s life. It is said that Monica’s example and her prayers–even without support from her husband–eventually led Augustine to the Lord. In his autobiography, he said his mother “shed more tears for my spiritual death than other mothers shed for the bodily death of a son.” Augustine of Hippo became one of the leading theologians of the early church. * Katie Luther (1499-1552), wife of the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther, raised four orphans in addition to her six biological children, while also hosting her husband’s students and guests. The Luthers became a model for Protestant families for several centuries and spoke of family life as a training ground for Christian virtue. * Susanna Wesley (1669-1742) managed a large household of eight children (who survived infancy), overseeing both the spiritual and academic education of her children. She focused diligently on their character, hard work and knowledge of Scripture and met personally with each child every week, to give them encouragement and attention. Her sons John Wesley and Charles Wesley founded the Methodist movement that bears the imprints of her influence: a focus on accountability, service, and diligent work in small group Bible study (For more information about Monica, Katie Luther, or Susanna Wesley, see this article at Christianity Today). . . . . . . . . . . Mother’s Day Blog Posts and ActivitiesHere is a write-up on the history of Mother’s Day that explains the holiday’s origins. Enjoy a free Mother’s Day printable coloring pack! Read about what Mary can teach us about Motherhood! Originally published on April 04, 2016
Despite the passage of time, despite the cultural differences, mothers of the Bible still speak profoundly to us today. All mothers need the timeless wisdom of moms who made a difference and can teach us to do the same. The Bible is replete with narratives of mothers who grappled with many of the same issues we face today. Their stories help us navigate our own, creating a rich tapestry of faith that continues through each successive generation. Eve, the mother of all, probably is best remembered as being duped by Satan. From Eve we can learn the importance of being aware of the enemy's schemes, his desire to ruin families. When we have important decisions to make, are overwhelmed, or are facing a trial of some sort, that's when the enemy moves in as he did with Eve and says, "Did God really say …?" When we are most vulnerable, Satan wants us to doubt God's character and his words to us. Don't ever question what God says in his Word. If you begin to doubt, doubt your doubt. Sounds confusing, but it works. Be discerning and stick close to God. Satan approached Eve when she was alone and vulnerable; from this we can learn the importance of staying in community. Join a women's group at church or invite some Christian moms into your home for fellowship. The widow of Zarephath struggled, as many mothers do today, with putting food on the table. Whether a single mom or in a family facing economic hardship, many moms are worried about having enough food. The woman of Zarephath was asked by God to give what little she had to someone else, something we probably don't consider, believing that we need to conserve and ration what little we have. Give our food to someone else? Ludicrous! But not in God's eyes. It's in the giving that we receive, in the trusting that provision transpires. Trust God as your Provider. If all you can spare is a single can of corn, give it. Take it to the local food bank or homeless shelter as a step of faith, believing that God will provide for your every need. Even a single can of corn is a beautiful sacrifice in the eyes of God. If we could easily do without it, it wouldn't really be a sacrifice. May we be willing to say with David, "I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God that which cost me nothing" (2 Samuel 24:24, author paraphrase). Hannah reminds us that our children really belong to the Lord; they are with us for just a brief time. I'm sure Hannah cherished every minute she had with Samuel, yet she knew from the very beginning whose he really was. As moms we have the wonderful privilege of raising our children for however long they are with us. Yes, they are loud, they sap our energy, and at times they get on our nerves. But they are also beautiful, unique, and a wonder to behold. Enjoy every step of the parenting journey, for these children grow up way too fast. The Canaanite woman reminds me of myself: stubborn, persistent, dogged. Like a mother bear protecting her cub, this mom wasn't about to give an inch as she pleaded with Jesus on behalf of her child. I like that. Jesus did too, and said to her, "Dear woman, your faith is great. Your request is granted (Matthew 15:28). No matter what you are going through, never give up. No matter how much your child rebels, never give up. If you are waiting for your prodigal to come home, keep waiting and never give up. God loves a persevering woman. Mary watched her beloved son die on the cross, a pain so intense I'm sure she felt as though the nails were piercing her heart as surely as they were piercing her son's hands. Mary grieved, but she kept on living. She became a "mom" to the disciple John. Parenting can be painful, but it's worth it. Perhaps you've loved and lost a child; I've lost three children myself through miscarriage. Maybe your prodigal has left home and you haven't heard from him since. Or maybe years of infertility have left you barren. Become a mom to the motherless. My husband and I are in the process of adopting a child. Or be a much-needed spiritual mom to a kid who could use some godly guidance. Whatever you do, love with all you have. While these are just some of the mothers of the Bible we can glean from, perhaps the greatest cumulative lesson to be learned is that the responsibilities of motherhood are great, but the rewards are even greater. Tammy Darling has approximately 975 published articles. Looking to increase her family through adoption, Tammy appreciates all she learns from the women of the Bible. Read more articles that highlight writing by Christian women at ChristianityToday.com/Women |
What we can learn from mothers in the Bible?
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