Moms with a plan

Open: College Admission Scandal

This scandal involved parents who paid big money to get their children into elite colleges. Two of the more famous moms included Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin. These moms had a plan to ensure success for their children, regardless of the rules. They lied and bribed to get their children the best.

Transition: We are understandably upset by the actions of these parents, especially these two very privileged mothers. Before judging them too harshly, honestly reflect on your plans for your children. Are they honoring to God?

This morning we are going to look at two mothers - each of whom had plans for their children. As we look at these 2 accounts let us ask God to give us wisdom in making plans that honor and glorify Him.

READ Text: GENESIS 27:1-13

A Tale of 2 Mothers with plans for their children

Rebekah had a plan for her favorite son Jacob (Genesis 27:5-10)

Explanation: Isaac and Rebekah had twin boys, Esau and Jacob. Esau was the older twin and his father’s favorite. He was a hunter and an outdoorsman. Jacob was the younger twin and he was his mother’s favorite. He was a quiet son, and preferred being inside (Gen 25:27-28)

There was nothing wrong with either son’s lifestyle choices. God wires each person differently, and we each have different gifts and passions. The fault of the parents was in the fact that they had favorites. This caused great tension in the family and created a greater degree of rivalry between the brothers.

The part of the account we are looking at focuses on Rebekah’s plan for her son Jacob. Rebekah overheard Isaac’s plan to place a blessing upon Esau. Because she favored Jacob over Esau, Rebekah developed a plan that would result in Jacob receiving the Blessing instead of Esau. In essence, Rebekah’s plan involved manipulation, deceit, and a willingness to absorb a curse, all so her favorite son would gain.

Argument: We have a phrase for plans like this - we call it “the ends justify the means.” Rebekah knew that Jacob was the twin that God had ordained to be the greater of the two. God had revealed to Rebekah during her pregnancy that “two nation are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” (Gen 25:23)

Rebekah knew this (and Isaac knew it as well) and she didn’t like what she was hearing from Isaac. Instead of trusting in the Sovereignty of God to fulfill His own promise, Rebekah decided God needed some extra help so she developed a plan to bring about the correct result. The fact that her plan involved manipulation and deceit and a possible curse didn’t slow her down.

Jacob did receive the Blessing from his father, but he would have received it anyway because of God’s promise. Instead, Esau vowed to kill his brother Jacob as soon as Isaac died (Gen 27:41). In order to save her favorite son, Rebekah had to send Jacob away and she did not see him again for at least 20 years. The possibility exists that Rebekah died without seeing Jacob again because Scripture is silent on the issue.

Application: God doesn’t need our help. He is very much capable of carrying out His own plans. When we attempt to “help Him” the result is always less than His best. Let us learn to trust God with the lives of our children. He loves them more than we do.

Jochabed had a plan for a son that she loved (Exodus 2:1-10)

Explanation: Jochabed is less well-known than some of the other mothers in the Bible, but she was the mother of Moses and fulfilled a vital role in God’s raising up a human deliverer to lead His people out of Egypt. The birth of Moses took place in a period of time when the Hebrew slaves were increasing in population. The explosive growth of the nation scared the Pharoah at the time and he implemented plans to kill off the Hebrew male babies.

Moses was born during the time all the Egyptians were under orders to drown all the Hebrew boy babies by throwing them into the Nile river. Jochabed already had at least two children before Moses was born, a daughter and a son. She could have just let the Egyptians toss Moses into the Nile and focused on the other two. Jochabed, however, loved her son and she developed a plan to save him.

Jochabed hid her baby for three months and then made a water-tight basket for him so she could place him strategically in the reeds where Pharaoh’s daughter would find him. Jochabed DID NOT toss him in the middle of the river and hope that blind luck would keep Moses alive. No, Jochabed had a well-designed plan for his prosperity. She had the baby placed in a well-traveled area and stationed Miriam nearby to watch over him until he was found (Ex 2:3-5). She probably gave Miriam the instructions on what to say to Pharaoh’s daughter when the baby was discovered (Ex 2:7).

Argument: Jochabed did not receive any direct, Divine Communication concerning the birth of her son. We do know that she acted in accordance with her faith and trust in the LORD God (cf Heb 11:23). This mother’s plan was to give her son a future and a hope. She willingly sacrificed her active role as a mother to do what was best for her child. God rewarded her with the return of the baby for a period of a few years, but she had to release Moses to the care of Pharaoh’s daughter.

She used the time she had, and it made a difference in Moses’ life choices. He knew his heritage, and he chose to suffer with his people rather than “to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Heb 11:25)

When a mother develops a God-honoring plan for her child’s life that involves sacrifice for his or her well-being, God honors that plan.

“The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down” (Proverbs 14:1)

Application

Understand that motherhood is a privilege, not a guaranteed right

Realize that being a mother is one of the most significant responsibilities you can undertake in your entire life

To the future mothers: begin to prepare now. It is never too early to walk in integrity and to guard your legacy. Remember, those little babies will grow up one day, and you don’t want to have to cover up your past.

To all current mothers: Treasure your children as gifts from God. Embrace your role as a steward and prepare them as best you can to honor and obey the LORD

Close: Building a legacy of faith is a lifetime work, and it is hard and often unappreciated. But, it is well worth the effort. And it all begins with a personal faith in the LORD Jesus. Without Him, you may build something of some positive value, but it will not be eternal and it will not be of faith.

2 Timothy 1:5 KJV 1900

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.