The Bible talks a lot about mothers. There are many kinds of mothers mentioned in the Bible, I want to look at a few of them as we celebrate mothers this week. I am a mother, and I am thankful for every one of my children and their families because I know that God blessed me with them. I hope that I have been and will continue to be a blessing to them as well. Let’s begin with what God told Moses about mothers.
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ Mark 7:10, (New International Version or NIV).
God makes it clear that mothers and fathers are to be honored. What this means is that they are to be respected and cared for as they get older. At least this is how I see it. Love was not commanded and so I don’t think that you have to like your parents, but you do have to honor them and take care of them. Some parents are not loveable, let’s face it. In fact, some parents are downright horrible!
“ ‘Everyone who quotes proverbs will quote this proverb about you: “Like mother, like daughter.” You are a true daughter of your mother, who despised her husband and her children; and you are a true sister of your sisters, who despised their husbands and their children. Your mother was a Hittite and your father an Amorite. Your older sister was Samaria, who lived to the north of you with her daughters; and your younger sister, who lived to the south of you with her daughters, was Sodom. You not only followed their ways and copied their detestable practices, but in all your ways you soon became more depraved than they. As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, your sister Sodom and her daughters never did what you and your daughters have done. Eziekiel 16:44-48, (NIV).
Isn’t it amazing that one of our sayings, “Like mother, like daughter” is actually from the Bible? In this case the mother was evil and so was the daughter. Like I said, not all mothers are good. Evil mothers have been in every generation and while we honor them for giving us birth, we don’t have to follow in their footsteps and be evil ourselves. But far too often mothers pass down their evil traits to daughters.
When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” she answered. At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” Mark 6:22-25, (NIV).
Herodias was evil and she insisted that her daughter become evil as well. How sad for the daughter. These two people plotted to have John the Baptist beheaded and they got what they wanted. The king should have beheaded them in my opinion. Some of you may have had mothers like Herodias. You don’t have to be like her, you have a choice to live differently, and the Holy Spirit will help you to do so if you belong to Jesus. You can break the cycle of evil within your family by becoming an authentic follower of Jesus.
Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. Romans 16:13, (NIV).
Some mothers are not even your own and yet they have such a profound impact upon your life that you honor them too. The mother of Rufus was just such a woman to the apostle Paul. I love how he honors her in this greeting section of his letter to the Romans. I want to be that kind of mother too.
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. John 19:25, (NIV).
Many mothers are there for you when you go through hard times. They hurt with you, cry for you, and pray constantly for you when you face insurmountable situations. Jesus had such a mother and she had to witness the death of her son.
Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. Matthew 27:56, (NIV).
Mothers don’t let other mothers suffer alone. There were other mothers helping to comfort and support Jesus’s mother Mary. We often need the help, advice, and comfort from women who have been through difficult circumstances with their children. It helps to hear other mother’s perspectives and advice. Mostly, though, it is them just being there with you that helps the most, no words necessary at such times.
Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died. Esther 2:7, (NIV).
And then there are mothers who have become mothers through adoption. I am one of those mothers and I love my son as if I had given birth to him. I rarely think of him as being adopted because he is all mine! Esther had such a mother and father in her cousin Mordecai and his nameless wife. I know many mothers who have adopted children and what a blessing it is for moms and kiddos alike. You are a mom and you have done your best and the rest you leave up to God.
Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it—wisdom, instruction and insight as well. The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful! Proverbs 23:22-25, (NIV).
In my years on this earth, I have seen children who did not bring joy and rejoicing into their parents’ hearts. The child seemed bent on self-destruction. Sin takes over and the parents must witness much of it. It is heartbreaking to witness such circumstances. It is far better when a child listens to King Solomon’s advice and purchases truth. It costs something to have truth and wisdom. It may cost friendships or romances or even marriage partners. But in the end, it is far better to be separated from those bent on sinning than to live with them. Be wise instead.
In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. 1 Samuel 1:10-13, (NIV).
Hannah prayed for years to have a child, specifically a son. God finally heard her prayer and opened her womb to be able to carry a child. She didn’t get to see him but once or twice a year because of the promise she made to God concerning him. That is courage and persistence.
If you are a mom of biological children, congratulations. If you are a mom through adoption, congratulations. If you are a stepmom or a bonus mom, congratulations. If you are a mom through borrowing someone else’s children for a day or two, congratulations. If you wish to be a mom, hang in there. Just know that you are thought of and honored this week of Mother’s Day.
Until next time, Katherine