Being a mother is an important role that the Lord has bestowed on women.“Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the Word of God.” Titus 2:4-5
Children are a gift from the Lord and it is imperative that parents understand the vital role they play. In Titus 2:4, the Greek word ‘phileoteknos’ ppears. This word represents a special kind of ‘mother-love’. The idea that flows out of this word is that of ‘preferring’ our children, ‘caring’ for them, ‘nurturing’ them, ‘affectionately embracing’ them, ‘meeting their needs’, ‘tenderly befriending’ each one as unique from the Hand of God.
Both mothers and fathers are commanded to do several things in the Word such as:
• To be available to their children both physically and emotionally (Deut 6:6-7).
• To be involved by interacting, discussing, thinking and processing life together (Eph 6:4).
• To teach and train their children in the ways of the Lord and help them develop necessary life skills (Prov 22:6).
• To discipline by teaching the fear of the Lord and drawing the boundaries lovingly and firmly (Eph 6:4, Heb 12:5-11, Prov 13:24, 19:18, 22:15, 23:13-14, 29:15-17).
• To nurture by providing an environment of constant verbal support, freedom to fail, acceptance, affection, unconditional love (Titus 2:4, 2 Tim 1:7,
Eph 4:29-32, 5:1-2, Gal 5:22, 1 Pet 3:8-9) Prov 10:9, 11:3; Ps 37:18, 37).
Mothers in the Bible
Eve – She is known as the ‘Mother of mankind’ because she was the very first mother.
Sarah – She was the wife of Abraham and gave birth to Isaac when she was over 100 years old.
Rebekah – She ensured that the more righteous son, Jacob, received the patriarchal blessing from his father. (Gen 27)
Rachel – She was the mother of Joseph the dreamer who went on to lead the nation of Egypt out of famine.
Jochebed – When the Pharoah gave an order to kill all the baby boys of the Hebrews, she hid Moses for three months. (Heb 11:23;
Exod 1-2)
Abijah – Her son Hezekiah was a king who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. (2 Chron 29:1, 26:5; 2 Kgs 18:2)
Naomi – Mother-in-law of Ruth. Ruth accompanied Naomi to her homeland, Naomi guided her daughter-in-law into a marriage with Boaz.
Hannah – She was childless for many years, but after much prayer, became mother to Samuel the prophet.
Bathsheba – She was the mother of Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived. She is mentioned in Jesus’ family tree. (Matt 1:6)
Elizabeth – She was the mother of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the Lord. She experienced a journey of faith for many years waiting on the Lord for a child against all the odds.
Mary – She is the Mother of Jesus and is often remembered for her faith when she answered the angel Gabriel saying: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as You have said.” Luke 1:38
For further reading and comprehensive answers to ‘Big Questions’ see www.gotquestions.org