The Characteristics of Godly Motherhood

Introduction

On this Mother’s Day we will take a break from our sermon series - God at Water: The Plagues of Egypt. We will be staying in the book of Exodus however and reexamining a prior chapter. We are going to look at the actions of Jochebed concerning the birth of Moses and early years of Moses. Much of what we shall consider shall applies to both fathers and saints in general. Since today is mothers day, our focus shall be the beautiful women that brought us into the world. First a brief foundation issue.

The Foundation - The Godly Marriage as the Biblical Model

Verse 1 of our text speaks of Amram’s taking Jochebed in marriage. This is an important place to start. Motherhood is designed to exist in the context of marriage. This was God’s plan from the beginning. Before Eve was a mother she was a wife, even as Adam was husband before father. The children were born after this. Late in 2019 we finished walking through Genesis. If we were to go back and look at the Patriarchs, we would see their children born in the marriage context. An objection might be raised that these were not monogamous marriages, except for Isaac and Rebekah, and this is true. In response we can say several things. First, the fall distorted the created order and polygamy is one result of this tragedy. Nonetheless, these were still marriages. It must also be stated that multiple wives was unlikely the norm given the tremendous cost that would be involved. Second, Christ makes it clear via his citation of Genesis 2:24 that marriage was to be one man and one woman joined together. This also eliminates any support for same-sex marriages. Finally, this truth is affirmed in the Pauline Corpus. Paul in Ephesians and Colossians assumes a family unit consisting of husband, wife, and children. At this point let me make a point about single motherhood.

Let me very clear: single mothers can be, and many are, godly mothers. We know there are several reasons why we can have single mothers, such as death, divorce, fornication, and unfortunately rape. The first and fourth clearly aren’t voluntary or wanted. The second and third can be voluntary. But none of these circumstances precludes a single mother for loving the lord with all her heart, mind, soul, and strength. Nor do they mean a single mother can’t love their children as much as a married mother. I have meant godly single mothers and thank God for their faithfulness. If you are such a single mother, please here me clearly when I say that the triune God loves you as much as he loves married mothers. The scripture is clear that God doesn’t show partiality in this regard. I encourage to remain faithful, love God and your child, and manifest holy living before him/her/them. My reason for speaking of the godly marriage as the biblical model and foundation is because it is the model that is given. Therefore, it is where the role of motherhood is to be normative. Let us the move to our characteristics

The Four Characteristics of a Godly Mother

She loves her God more than anything else - verse 3

Remember at the end of chapter 1 we are told that all sons born to Hebrew women were to put to death. This was his decree and all Egypt was to exist. He even tried to co-opt the Hebrew midwives. Yet Jochebed was unwilling to allow this to occur. Hebrews 11:23 tells us that she and Amram refused to honor the king on this matter. They understood there was a greater power to whom greater allegiance was due. Indeed Christ makes it clear our greatest allegiance is to Him above all others, including our children (Luke 14:26). Why do I bring this us? If we love God with all our being, we will love our children and spouses properly.

She recognizes her blessed yet awesome responsibility of stewardship - verse 2,9

The psalm writer tells children come from and are a blessing from the Lord (Ps. 127:3-4). It was understood in biblical times, its explicitly stated in many places, that its the Lord whom open and closes the womb. Children aren’t inconveniences. They are given by the Lord for the praise of his glorious grace. Therefore when the Lord see fit to grant to a husband and wife children they are to love that child accordingly. This means providing needed essentials, proper discipline, prioritizing the care of the child(ren) above earthly pleasures, keeping them safe and teaching them. This leads to our third point

She raises her child in the fear of the Lord - Deut. 6:5-7

Now more than ever there are many voices and forces attempting to influence and raise children with or without the knowledge and consent of the parents. Indeed, the children are in the hands of the state for a lot of hours and we are increasing seeing curriculum that promote every form of wickedness. Godly mothers are needed to instruct their children (Prov. 1:8;6:20) as much as possible as often as possible so the children may know, love, and serve the Lord.

She trusts in the Lord for her child’s future - verses 3 - 5

Lastly, the godly mother understands there is a limit of her labor. She can and should raise the child in the fear of the Lord, live holy before the child, provide both praise and correction, and encourage the child to do the same. But ultimately mothers, parents in general, are unable to save the child(ren). Salvation is our the Lord. We don’t have time to examine this fully now but Proverbs 22:6 is not a guarantee that godly parenting will produce saved children, or children who won’t leave the faith. It does mean that children will never forget what has been placed in front of them, even if they refuse to live it out. In fact, their conduct will be affected by what they have been it. This doesn’t mean mothers, and parents generally, should try. Of course they should. It means that again the we must trust in the goodness of God. We must trust that his purposes for our children will be brought about, even as they were with Moses.

Practical Application