THE BLESSEDNESS OF MOTHERHOOD
     The first commandment with a promise had to do with mothers. "Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth" (Eph 6:2). That is the inspired application of Exodus 20:12, which was a promise to Israel. The word "honor" literally means "to glorify, promote, and make significant." It is as though God said, lift your mother up, recognize her significance, and promote her. The promise "and you will live long upon the earth."

     While mothers are often known only for their indefatigable labors, there are other aspects to motherhood. To be sure, they do have a never-ending job,  with all of their work being donated. With a mother, it would be good if even her illness could be scheduled. When she is out of activity, it is an inconvenience to the entire household. It is dependent upon her. That cannot be said of every household member.

     That brings me to a point I feel needs to be made, and made strongly.  Mothers have too often been pictured as servile, laboring under the law of her husband, and not authorized to make any decisions. With all the power of official religiosity it is affirmed, "The man is the head of the house." It might interest you to know, that is not found in Scripture. God does say "the head of
the woman is the man" (1 Cor 11:3). It also says, "The husband is head of the wife." But it NEVER says the man is the head of the house! It remained for religious dignitaries to affirm that. Now, allow me to give honor to mothers in a unique, but needful, way.

     The house is the mother's domain. There she even makes laws. Solomon twice counseled his son, "Do not forsake the LAW of your mother" (Prov 1:8; 6:20). In a stirring tribute to the virtuous woman, the Word mentions business expertise, inconvenient work hours, and being trusted by her husband. "The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain . . . She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard . . . She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy . . . She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants . . . She opens her mouth with wisdom . . . she watches over the ways of her household . . . " (Prov 31:10-31). That  certainly does not sound like a servile "may I please do it" person! No! She is a manager and a good mother is a good manager.

     Some will object to these words, saying that the woman has a place, but not in leadership even though that observation sharply conflicts with the Word of their God! But they are wrong, and grievously so. The Apostle Paul also spoke of this Divine arrangement, and with words of great strength. "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, GUIDE THE HOUSE, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully" (1 Tim 5:14). The word "guide" is stronger that some might suppose. The NKJV, NIV, and NRSV translate it "MANAGE the house." The RSV says "RULE the house."  Grammatically, the word means "to be the head of ," or "run." as in "run the household." That perfectly coincides with Solomon's revealed description of a virtuous woman. It is always in order to bow before the Word of the Lord. It is always out of order not to do so.

     So I pay tribute to the mothers, including my own, who is now with the Lord, and my own wife. I honor them for being discreet business managers, providers of household goods, and considerate of the needs of others. For their wise sayings, expert counsel, and comforting words, I give honor to the mothers. For being a faithful minister in times of illness and depression, for putting others before herself, and for being an encouragement to their  husbands, I pay tribute to the mothers. I honor them for rising at early and inconvenient hours to care for her family, prepare to entertain guests, and take care of business matters.

     Most of all, I give honor to Christian mothers, who have taught their children the ways of the Lord. I praise them for singing the children to sleep with the songs of Zion, for teaching the value of God's Word, and for making the family God-conscious. I respect them for their sensitivity to the will of the Lord, and their contributions to the household of faith. My own mother was a songstress for Jesus, blessing the people with her wonderful songs of encouragement and blessing. Bless God for the investment godly mothers have made in the kingdom of God throughout history! Thank God for all of you!

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You for motherhood. Thank you for the great mothers of history, who played a role in the shaping the world---the mothers of Moses, Isaac, John the Baptist, and Your own Beloved Son! I pray you will bless all mothers with a knowledge of Yourself, righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Answer their prayers for their children and their husbands. Do this in Jesus' name, and for His sake!

-- MONDAY: GOD'S PURPOSE STILL STANDS --