“The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.” Genesis 3:20
The Hebrew name for Eve is “Ḥawwāh” and is most commonly believed to mean “source of life.” I love the meaning of the name because, as moms, new life begins within us. And, since Mother’s Day is on Sunday, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on the things we learn about mothers in the Bible.
Bible Verses about Mothers:
- Isaiah 66:13: “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.”
- Isaiah 49:15: “Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?”
- Proverbs 31:25: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
- Proverbs 31:26: “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
- Proverbs 31:28–29: “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’”
- Titus 2:4: “Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children.”
- Psalm 127:3: “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”
Hard Jobs
Many of us are blessed to be called Mothers. But some women feel overburdened by this role. A mom’s job goes on for twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week so that it can be exhausting. The benefits outweigh the problems many times. A smile, a hug, or an I love you from the innocent face of a small child can make all the stress evaporate. Like all other humans, mothers sin and fall short at times (Romans 3:23). Each new day, we can begin again.
Biblical Mothers
How does the Bible define the roles of mothers? The Bible shows us through examples of Godly mothers, so let us look at what we can learn from the mothers in the Bible. None of these women were perfect in their pursuits. They trusted God even in the difficult moments:
- From Sarah, the mother of Issac, we discover patience. Sarah waited on the Lord to fulfill His promises to her. During the wait, Sarah had moments of failure as she laughed at the thought of childbearing in her old age. Through her long-awaited son, God gave birth to the nation of Israel.
- From Hagar, the mother of Ishmael, we learn endurance. Hagar endured mistreatment at the hands of her mistress Sarah. Hagar ran away from the situation, but God called her back. Her obedience allowed her to be a mother of a nation through Ishmael.
- From Naomi, we see faithfulness. Naomi lost both her children. She exhibited bitterness and anger at her situation but still held to her faith in God. Naomi taught Ruth about her faith. God provided Naomi a grandson named Obed through Ruth. Obed was the father of Jesse, who was the father of King David.
- From Elizabeth, we discover belief. In her old age, Elizabeth became pregnant as promised to her husband, Zechariah. They had prayed for a child for years, and their faith in God’s goodness paid off. Her son, John, lead the way to Jesus for many.
- From Mary, we learn about sacrifice. Mary watched her son, Jesus, be nailed to a cross. She wept bitter tears at losing her child. But, Her child came back to life as her eternal Savior and Lord. And Mary, along with all the faithful, will get to spend eternity together with her son.
Remember Mothers
May we honor all the mothers in our lives this Mother’s Day and remember those who long to hold a child in their loving arms.
A Powerful Prayer for Your Purpose as a Mother
Father, Today, we come to You with grateful hearts. The gift of motherhood is a rich blessing. We thank You for the privilege and honor of bearing the title, ‘Mom.’ As so many great biblical mothers come to our minds, we are reminded of the legacy we have been grafted into. The sacrifices made out of love for You and their children pave a road full of examples and encouragement for us to follow. Help us remember to go to those places in Scripture when we yearn for a sense of camaraderie and when we feel alone in our struggles as a mom.
Through the task of motherhood, let us never lose sight of who we are in Christ. Keep our feet on the path of righteousness and our hearts in pursuit of wisdom. Bless our lives with godly friends and God-centered friendships. Bless and protect our marriages amidst the challenges of parenting. Father God, mold us into the moms you already know we are. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (Meg Bucher)
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian author, blogger, and speaker.
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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