MOTHERS

All praises to God on this day in which we honor the Mothers that He has so graciously blessed us with. We celebrate and congratulate all women who function as caretakers, putting in the time, energy and love to help raise children in their families, communities and provide compassionate support to dependent ones all across the world.

Our God has purposely fashioned women to be nurturing creatures who have qualities much different from a man. With a distinctively feminine nature, God made women to be a suitable partner for the man He created that they together would fulfill their divine mission here on earth. “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” (Genesis 2: 18) “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1: 27-28)

In the beginning, God blessed Adam and Eve to conceive and bear two sons, Cain and Abel. And though motherhood has its rewards, it also has its challenges and sometimes things don’t work out as we would like them to. As a result of the sin that entered into the world, Eve had to bear the death of her son by the hand of her other son. Nonethless, God did not abandon her. He blessed her to conceive again and have Seth.

As women are inherently nurturing, tender, and compassionate, they are also industrious workers dedicated to the family being capable providers for those in their charge. By design, women set the tone of the household in which the children initially follow her lead. In the book of 1st Samuel there was a man named Elkanah who had two wives named Hannah and Peninnah. Being Hannah’s rival, Peninnah had many children but Hannah had none because the Lord had shut up her womb. “And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if Thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of Thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget Thine handmaid, but wilt give unto Thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.” (1 Samuel 1: 6 &10-11)

As it was the custom, Elkanah would take his family to Shiloh to go to the house of the Lord to worship and sacrifice to the Lord year by year. While there, Eli the priest saw Hannah praying. But though her lips were moving he couldn’t hear her because she prayed in her heart and he mistakenly thought that she was intoxicated. “And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of Him. And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her. Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.” (1 Samuel 1: 15 & 17-20)

Hannah remembered her vow to the Lord concerning Samuel but, as was her motherly duty, she nurtured the child and delayed her trip until she had weaned her son. Samuel was then delivered to the priest Eli just as Hannah had promised. “And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of Him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.” (1 Samuel 1: 26-28)

As with Hannah, Sarah was also a barren woman who God restrained from having children. But that was only a temporary condition because God made a covenant with Abraham telling him that the one who would come out of his loins would be his heir, and not one of his household servants. “And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15: 6) “And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her. Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.” (Genesis 17: 6, 7 & 15-19)

As we see, when all hope seems lost, God can come through for us. When the mountain seems insurmountable, He removes it for us. When the burden seems too hard to bear, He lifts it from us. “Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” (Genesis 18: 14) “And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him. And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him. (Genesis 21: 1-5) And though the condition of barrenness continued when Isaac married Rebekah, the Lord also continued being faithful to His promise to produce nations. “And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.” (Genesis 25: 21) The twins Jacob and Esau were born to Rebekah.

In the story of Jacob, he married two sisters whom he had to work for fourteen years to gain the privilege to wed. “And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. (Genesis 29: 16-18 & 30-31) Being barren had its own set of problems as a woman’s status was elevated with her ability to bear children, but remember that we are talking about heirs to the covenant that God made with Abraham. Troubles of any kind are opportunities for God to show Himself strong to us. “And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach: And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.” (Genesis 30: 22-24)

In the story of Joseph, he went on to have his own share of problems when his bothers sold him into slavery. Keep in mind that God will allow us to go through difficult times for our own good, but more importantly for His glory. “And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.” (Genesis 50: 15-21)

Throughout the ages Mothers have enjoyed top billing in the lives of their children, even until this present day. It is amusing to see professional athletes on television giving “shout outs” to Mom. And when we want to go visit our parents the usual refrain is “Let’s go to Mom’s house.” But what about Dad, the head of the household? Of course the Father’s role is just as important in the family, but today we are talking about the vital role Mothers have played in the upbringing of the children.

During the biblical times when judges ruled, there was a woman named Naomi who had a husband, two sons and two Moabite daughters-in-law. Her husband died and eventually her two sons as well. Naomi then decided to return to her homeland and urged her daughters to return to their families. “And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.” (Ruth 1: 14-18) As you can see, Ruth chose the better part. Her loyalty and faithfulness was rewarded by God. She went on to marry Boaz and had a son, Obed, who was the father of Jesse who was the father of David the King who is a direct descendant of Jesus Himself.

God favors His people who live life in conjunction and in obedience to His will. In the New Testament, Elisabeth and her husband the priest Zacharias were another barren couple. “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.” (Luke 1: 6-7) And though they suffered this same condition that many had endured prior to them, something marvelous happened to Zacharias as he performed his duty in the temple. “And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1: 11-17)

Using John as the forerunner, God was about to do some incredible things as He prepared the way for the upcoming events of His dear Son. With the glorious conception of the virgin Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit, the world would witness things that were prophesied ages ago. This begins when Mary visits her cousin Elisabeth and experiences a great surprise. “And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.” (Luke 1: 41-42 & 57-58) And the scripture tells us that this child of Elisabeth would be called the prophet of the Highest; for he shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, making His paths straight and preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

As for Mary, who was a virgin, she was visited by the angel Gabriel who was sent by God. “And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of his father David: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” (Luke 1: 28-33) Mary and her cousin Elisabeth are about to be honored for the glory of God. “For with God nothing shall be impossible. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.” (Luke 1: 37 & 45-48) Mary was blessed and highly favored and was given one of the most important roles in human history. Her mission was to bear and raise the Son of God. “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2: 7, 11 & 13-14)

With shepherds abiding, wise men following His star bringing gifts, the glory of God shining and the angels bringing good tidings of great joy, Mary is pondering these things in her heart. “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2: 19) But even the joy and the miracles of raising God’s only begotten Son would have it’s challenges as a Mother watches her Son suffer a horrific death. But the divine purpose of Christ’s suffering and demise would be vindicated three days later when He would rise from the grave with all power bringing life to a dying world and solidifying the opportunity for all mankind’s salvation.

The extraordinary women/Mothers that God used as instruments and examples were normal people living day by day through hardships, trials, hatred, envy and deceit. And just like with us, it is no different today. Although the times, customs, traditions and behaviors are much different now, the evil remains the same. But the loving instructions for holy living that come from God also remain the same: “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” (Titus 2: 1-5)

The many roles of a Mother manifest themselves daily as she performs the varied tasks of a cook, maid, waitress, nurse, teacher, coach, photographer, chauffeur, ATM, stylist, cheerleader, bodyguard, event planner and much, much more. Mothers are on call 24/7 with no sick pay, vacation time or holidays off. It is a fulltime position for a lifetime of service and she never stops being a loving Mother, devoted wife and holy woman of God.

PROVERBS 31

[10] Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. [11] The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. [12] She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. [13] She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. [14] She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. [15] She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. [16] She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. [17] She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. [18] She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. [19] She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. [20] She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. [21] She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. [22] She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. [23] Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. [24] She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. [25] Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. [26] She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. [27] She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. [28] Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. [29] Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. [30] Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. [31] Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

We thank God for the gift of Mothers who render faithful, loving and compassionate care to the people on this planet physically born through them. But Jesus said that except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God, so we especially rejoice because the spiritual bondage of our humanity is wonderfully offset by this heavenly fact: “But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.” (Galatians 4: 26)