“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? – Isaiah 49:15a (NIV)
INTRODUCTION
We said in our article last week that mothers are very important that we will spend some weeks reflecting on how God sees women as our tribute to mothers in the month of May, the second Sunday of which is celebrated as Mother’s Day.
MOTHERHOOD: A TASK WORTH THE EFFORT
A mother is one who bears and/or rears children. References to motherhood are found throughout Scripture:
- CONCEPTION – Genesis 4:1, “Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.”
- PREGNANCY – Luke 1:24 “After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.
- CHILDBIRTH – Isaiah 66:7-9 “Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children. Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the LORD. “Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God.”
- BREASTFEEDING – 1 Samuel 1:23. “Mothers were to be respected and obeyed “– Exodus 20:12
More than a job or responsibility, mothering is a ministry. There is no doubt, of course that it takes work! It means sacrifice! Children do not come off an assembly line, nor are they the by-product of an impersonal biological process; they are to be lovingly nurtured by their mothers as we read in – 2 Timothy 1:5 “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” Mothers divide time among their children but multiply their love for all their children. To this they add the care of the home, often subtracting many extras in order to do so.
When Isaiah the prophet searched for an illustration of God’s constant love for His people, the best example he could find was a new baby’s mother “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? – Isa 49:15a (NIV).
Mothers have enduring love that even the most trying circumstances or rebellious child cannot dim. As a mother lets go of her own life for the sake of her child, she is reminded of the depth and height and breadth of God’s love for her, and a unique way she experiences the true joy of motherhood. This is a truth that will transform any suffering or sacrifice into reward and joy. – 1 John 3:16
There are caring mothers in the Bible, for example:
- HAGAR, wandering in the wilderness, wept for her child, and God responded to the cry of her heart by revealing a well of water nearby to quench the thirst of her and her child – Genesis 21:16,19..”…….. Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.”
- JOCHEBED defied Pharoah in order to save the life of her son, Moses – Exodus 2:1-8
- The mother who appealed to Solomon was willing to let another woman enjoy her child rather than see the child murdered – 1 Kings. 3:25.
- The mother from Shunem loved her child so devotedly that she made the difficult journey to find the prophet and inspired him to come and seek life for her child so devotedly that she made the difficult journey to find the prophet and inspired him to come and seek life for her child – 2 Kings 4:22-35.
- HANNAH was devoted to her son, yet willingly offered him to the Lord – 1 Sam 1:27, 28.
On the other hand, there are wicked mothers such as ATHALIAH, the idolatrous mother of King Ahaziah, who guided her son into devotion to evil – 2 Kings 8:26,27.
God has a plan for mothers. The high calling is an all-consuming task – “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” – Deut 6:6-7 (NIV)
- In the morning, you can read God’s Word to your child;
- At mealtime you are to give attention to meeting physical needs as you are outside, you can teach your child about the beauty of creation,
- At bedtime you can pray for your child and give assurance that God is lovingly taking care even while we are asleep. The reward is worth the effort as we read in 31:28 – “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”
Godly mothers are the nation’s greatest treasure, the Lord’s best helpers, and the most blessed among women.
To be continued!
Stay blessed!
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