Mothers in the Bible

Introduction:

The wise man, Solomon, said “. . . forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.”  (Proverbs 1:8-9)  Later in the book these words are recorded.  “Her children rise up and call her blessed. . .”  (Proverbs 31:28)  The inspired apostle Paul instructed this in Ephesians 6:1-3.  “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  “Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise:  ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.’ ” NKJV  We see from scripture the value and importance of mothers as well as those who mother.  Today we are going to examine several mothers in the Bible and see what lessons we can learn.

Body:

I.            Eve  She is called “The mother of all living.”  (Genesis 3:20) “And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.” NKJV  From her encounter with Satan in the garden, we see that the devil’s job is to cast doubt about God.  His desire is for people to listen to his lies and not to the truth.  (James 1:14-15) “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” NKJV 

II.          Sarah  Early on she is portrayed as impatient and selfish when she insisted Abraham bear a child in her name with the servant Hagar.  (Genesis 16:1-2) “And Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children.  And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar.  So Sarai said to Abram, ‘See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children.  Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.’  And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai.” NKJV  She struggled with God’s promise that she would become the mother of nations.  (Genesis 17:15-16) “Then God said to Abraham, ‘As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.  And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.’ ” NKJV  But the writer of Hebrews would list her in the Hall of Faith.  (Hebrews 11:11-12) “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.  Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude – innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.” NKJV  Also, her willingness to obey her husband is given as an example of submission.  (I Peter 3:6) “Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, ‘Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.’ ” NKJV 

III.        Hannah  Hannah was childless for a long time but prayed earnestly for a child.  (I Samuel 1:9-11) “So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh.  Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the Lord.  And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish.  Then she made a vow and said, ‘O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.’ ” NKJV  God heard her prayer and gave her Samuel.  When the time came to fulfill her promise, she took him to Eli the priest and dedicated him to the Lord.  (I Samuel 1:26-28) “And she said, ‘O my Lord!  As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord.  For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.  Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.’  So they worshiped the Lord there.” NKJV  Hannah knew the importance of full-time service to the Lord. 

IV.        Abigail  Abigail was married to Nabal who the Bible calls a “worthless man.”  (I Samuel 25:17) “ ‘Now therefore, know and consider what you will do, for harm is determined against our master and against all his household.  For he is such a scoundrel that one cannot speak to him.’ ” NKJV  Scripture also describes him as “harsh and evil in his doings.”   

(I Samuel 25:3) “The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail.  And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was harsh and evil in his doings.  He was of the house of Caleb.” NKJV  But God’s Word describes her as intelligent and of good understanding.  (I Samuel 25:3)  David had helped Nabal on many occasions so when David needed supplies, he asked Nabal.  Nabal refused and insulted David’s messengers.  Abigail learned of this and persuaded David not to take vengeance on her husband.  (I Samuel 25:25) “Please, let not my lord regard this scoundrel Nabal.  For as his name is, so is he:  Nabal is his name, and folly is with him!  But I, your maidservant, did not see the young men of my lord whom you sent.” NKJV  God rewarded her for her defiance of her husband’s wickedness. 

V.          Mary, the mother of Jesus  When Mary is told that she would bear the Christ child, she naturally asks this.  (Luke 1:34) “Then Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man?’ ” NKJV  When the angel explains, Mary believes.  (Luke 1:35-38) “And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.  Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.  For with God nothing will be impossible.’  Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord!  Let it be to me according to your word.’  And the angel departed from her.” NKJV  Mary was willing to do whatever God required of her.  What a great example.

Conclusion:

The Scriptures reveal how important godly mothers are.  The apostle Paul stated this in II Timothy 1:5. “when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.” NKJV  Each of us needs to thank God for mothers.

Bobby Stafford 

May 14, 2017