Throughout the Bible, there are numerous mentions of mothers who represent an array of approaches to parenting, both godly and ungodly. There are also a wide range of outcomes from the way they influenced and shaped the lives of their children, both godly and ungodly. The struggles, triumphs, setbacks and challenges of Mothers in the Bible were no different than those who live at any other point in time in history.
Mothers in the Bible Taught by Example
Not all of the mothers in the Bible were good mothers. In fact, some were evil, like Athalia, the daughter of Jezebel and Ahab, and the grandmother of King Joash of Judah, who massacred everyone in the royal household so she could reign as queen. (2 Kings 8) Or Herodius, the mother of Salome, who convinced her daughter to dance provocatively before Herod (her step-father/uncle) in order to demand the beheading of John the Baptist (Mark 6). Or Gomer, the wife of Hosea, who openly prostituted herself and cheated on her husband, having multiple children by other men. (The book of Hosea)
But where mothers (or fathers) fail, God continues to be faithful to reach people wherever they are, no matter who their parents are, and no matter what terrible circumstances they were born into. Proverbs 1:8 says that children should not abandon the things their mother teaches them, and that can go two ways: 1) Do not forget the godly wisdom and example set by a godly mother. 2) If there are examples of ungodliness- do not forget those either, but use them to remind you of the path to avoid as a Christian parent.
Mothers in the Bible Changed the World Without Trying
Lesson One: Pointing People to Jesus is a Mother’s Primary Purpose
In John chapter two, the account tells about how Jesus performed His first public miracle- turning water into wine during a wedding in the city of Cana. Jesus noted that it wasn’t yet time for Him to publicly reveal His miracle-working power, but it is clear her influence in His life and His love and respect for her caused Him to reconsider.
Mary said these significant words to the servants at the wedding, “Whatever He tells you to do, do it.” (John 2:5) Those words are among the most impactful anyone can ever hear about how to see the Lord move miraculously. As one of the most well-known mothers in the Bible, Mary went to Jesus herself, first, then directed others to Him as well, setting the stage for a miracle.
Lesson Two: Even the Everyday Tasks Can Produce Miracles
In John chapter six, the apostle John recorded the account of Jesus feeding a multitude of people. When everyone became hungry, a young boy was found who had five loaves and two fish with him. He gave them to Jesus, who used those meager items to miraculously feed 5,000 people- with extra left over. But where did that food come from?
Who knows the kind of morning that mother had while she’d packed a humble lunch for her son, something she had probably done a thousand times before. Who knows if they spent the morning arguing or praying as a family? Who knows if the boy had complained because he was tired of eating fish and bread everyday? Who knows if the mother had other children to tend to, or fields to harvest or clothing to mend?
But in the midst of it all, she made her son a small lunch and unknowingly sent him to a divine appointment with the Messiah.
Lesson Three: Even Good Mothers Struggle with Their Kids
One of the unnamed mothers in the bible, “The elect lady” received a letter from the apostle, John, in which he wrote, “…I found some of your children walking in truth as we were commanded by the Father…” (2 John 1:4) While this woman was known for running a godly home, there is no mention of a husband and John gives her advice about the kind of people to avoid and keep out of her house. It is possible she was a single mom, or her husband may not have been a believer.
Additionally, not all of her children were walking with the Lord, and the understanding is that this brought difficulties into her family, as it does for many godly families, even in the Bible. John sent advice in his letter to her, “…now I ask you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.” (2 John 1:5) Even godly mothers have children who don’t choose God. Even godly mothers have struggles and conflict with their kids. Even godly mothers have bad days. “Walk in love,” John told her. “Grace and mercy and peace be with you.”
Lesson Four: Your Kids Are Never too Far for God to Get Hold of Them
Think about the Manoah’s wife, mother of Samson. (Judges 13-16) Rebecca, the mother of Jacob. Noah’s wife, the mother of Shem, Ham and Japheth. Hannah, the mother of Samuel. Jochebed, the mother of Moses. The mother of Judah. These mothers in the Bible were followers of God and even so, their children needed His divine intervention. They needed their own powerful, personal encounter with the Most Holy God- and that’s what happened.
Think about their heartache. Think about what their kids put them through. The choices they made. Their wanderings. Their mistakes. Their consequences. All while their mothers watched it unfold. Even as Jesus hung on the cross and cried out, His mother watched and believed that God would be faithful to His promises- and He was- and you can believe the same for your children!
Lesson Five: There is No “Perfect” Mother, Only the Right Mother
Proverbs 31 contains a long list of characteristics of a “godly woman”, and this woman, among other things, is a mother. Rather than describing one, single wonder-mom with impossible standards, this passage paints a picture comprised of the attributes of godly womanhood. Mothers can be entrepreneurs or homemakers, crafty and creative, academics, playful, serious, wealthy or poor and anything in between- and still be godly and great moms.
Mothers in the Bible are represented in every kind of lifestyle and situation. They made plenty of mistakes, as everyone does, but God knew they were the right women for the job- and so are you!
