SERMON: "Biblical Motherhood"
Series: Topical Text: Various
By: Shaun
Marksbury Date:
May
14, 2023
Venue: Living
Water Baptist Church Occasion:
AM Service
I.
Introduction
I had not originally planned to do a special message on
Mother’s Day. I don’t want to establish
precedent here, creating expectation that I plan to preach topical sermons each
Mother’s Day. I understand that there
are many women for whom Mother’s Day is a difficult time, and I much prefer to continue
in our exposition of the Book of John.
Still, we do take breaks for important moments. This is especially true when it seems that
there is a cultural bias growing against the family. There is a whole movement out there of younger
people who are choosing to forgo traditional marriage and have a childfree
lifestyle, bragging about it to others. Even
supposed conservative voices seem to have given ground to the redefinitions of
marriage and family around us, and Christians are increasingly departing from
biblical norms. So, it is important for
us to lay some groundwork together.
I’m reminded of the third book of C. S. Lewis’s space
trilogy, called That Hideous Strength.
The book takes place on earth and explores how secret, evil forces are
moving to reshape society. The book
doesn’t start with that, though. It
opens on the marriage between a young man and his wife, both of which are
individuals well-educated in the world.
They both express ambivalence toward traditional roles. The female protagonist, Jane Studdock, for
instance, does not want to be held back from her own scholarly goals and wants
to avoid childbirth, even though she is experiencing loneliness. When someone tells her that motherhood is
both natural and necessary, thus leading to a feeling of fulfillment, she
replies, “I don’t believe it’s a duty. It’s
a biological function, and nothing else. If you wanted to include it in a system of
ethics, I should say that you were placing an animal function on the same level
as activities like study or social work.” Her husband Mark expresses similar
feelings, saying, “There are so many things I want to do first” and then
growing more against the idea as the novel proceeds.
Now, I hope I’m not spoiling the book, as this is only part
of the story, but they don’t remain in their opinions. Separately, this worldly couple realizes that
they each were already influenced by the thinking of “that hideous strength”
which threatens the world. As they begin
to understand the dangers around them and the grave future which may face this
planet, both characters essentially repent of vaunted ideals and finally
develop a sense of love and joy in each other unlike before. They evidence a change in their view of
family and children. They begin to find
value in what God created.
This book, published decades ago, expresses contemporary
viewpoints. Today, people see children
as secondary or even a nuisance to one’s own life’s ambitions and dreams. Some may even see marriage as
secondary to childrearing, choosing single parenthood over the natural sense of
family. Not only are these traditional
categories challenged, but so are ideas of natural procreation, as gay couples
employ surrogates to birth children for them or artificial insemination, trying
to create the illusion of family.
Understand, though, that the issue is not culture but biblical fidelity.
As such, we’re going to be in many places in Scripture this
morning, seeing the glory that the Lord has bestowed on the females among
us. We’ll see the glories of motherhood
in the biblical narrative, in biblical culture, and finally, in biblical
character. Let’s consider the first of
those.
II.
The Glories of Motherhood in Biblical Narrative
We might not expect the Bible to bring motherhood to the
forefront, but it does. Keep in mind
what the Lord says of us in Genesis 1:27–28.
There, in the creation mandate, we read, “God created man in His own
image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created
them. God blessed them; and God said to
them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule
over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing
that moves on the earth.” Women are
equals with men, bearing the image of God, but they have a unique role in
fulfilling the mandate — only they are able to bear the children which would
fill this earth.
We noted a few weeks ago that the glory of the Lord bookends
the Bible in Genesis 1 and Revelation 22, but we also have motherhood near that
same spotlight. Consider the first
revelation of the gospel message in Genesis 3:15, where the Lord says to the
serpent, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your
seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on
the heel.” One author notes:
The Bible’s story begins with a
statement that the seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head (Gen 3:15),
and ends with a depiction of a dragon trying to devour a woman and her male
child (Rev 12:1–17). That child, the seed of the woman, is the Bible’s main character,
and his life depends on his mother giving birth to him. From this alone it can
be seen that motherhood is vital to the main plot of the Bible, but it is not
the main plot alone to which motherhood is vital.[1]
So, the first book of the Bible begins with importance of
motherhood and the last chapter ends with it.
It’s no surprise that, after the fall of man from grace, Adam chooses to
call his wife’s name Eve because “she was the mother of all the living” (Gen. 3:20). She would go on immediately in the next
chapter to give birth to Cain, seemingly excited, saying, “I have gotten a
manchild with the help of the Lord”
(Gen. 4:1). There’s hardly any doubt
that she thought he might fulfill the garden prophecy, though he did not. Still, she went on to have many other sons
and daughters (Gen. 5:3–4).
As the Bible proceeds, it follows mothers who bear a vital
role in procreation. As another author
notes, “The Bible refers to every aspect of motherhood: conception (Gen. 4:1;
Luke 1:24), pregnancy (2 Sam. 11:5; Luke 1:24), the pain of childbirth (Gen.
3:16; John 16:21), and nursing (1 Sam. 1:23; Matt. 24:19).”[2] It describes more than that, as we’ll see in
a few minutes.
Before we move on from here, I understand that many women
may feel excluded. Some don’t have
children, and some cannot. Some are
operating as mothers to children to whom they did not give birth. Yet, this shouldn’t be discouraging. One Bible encyclopedia notes, “Sometimes the
stepmother is spoken of as the real mother (Gen 37:10). Sometimes the grandmother or other female
relative is thus spoken of (Gen 3:20; 1 K 15:10).”[3] Motherhood is more than a simple, biological
reality, and we have women serving the whole church, including its children, in
various necessary ways.
In fact, motherhood is even used metaphorically in
Scripture. Often, we read of Israel as a
mother, like in Ezekiel 19. In the New
Testament, Paul refers to Jerusalem above as a mother of all who live by God’s
grace (Gal. 4:26). Such motherhood can
also be negative, such as when Babylon is described as “the mother of harlots
and of the abominations of the earth” (Rev. 17:5). We see both positive and negative references,
none of which would be possible unless motherhood was important in the human
experience.
In fact, it is through motherhood that the Lord chose to save
the world. When God the Son came to
earth through the incarnation, it is theoretically possible that He could have
taken another route than becoming an infant and allowing Himself to undergo the
birthing process. However, He choose to
identify with our condition, being born in the line of Abraham and David. And He choose to come through a mother, one
He loved enough to assign the Apostle John her care while He suffered on the
cross (John 19:25–27).
The Lord honors mothers in biblical narrative because they
bear both His image and attributes. The
Lord is compassionate, and mothers naturally have compassion on the children of
their womb (cf. Isa. 49:15). Mothers
comfort, and so does the Lord (Isa. 66:13).
It’s no surprise, then, that the Bible compares Christians to “newborn
babies” needing to suckle the milk of God’s Word (1 Pet. 2:1). He patiently cares for His beloved children,
and that is an attribute He shared with mothers in a special way.
Those who are new mothers do not need to fear; the Lord
gives what we need for life and godliness.
Where we find that we fall short, either due to biological deficiencies
brought on by this fallen world, or due to sin, He gives grace to the humble. Seek Him, and if you have erred, He not only
offers forgiveness in Jesus Christ, He offers guidance moving forward.
Now, some may think that this is too sentimental. They may counter that this contradicts what
we find in the ancient world, where women and mothers are second-class
citizens. However, just as the Bible
exalts women, so does a biblical society, bringing us to the next point.
III.
The Glories of Motherhood in Biblical Society
Our society often perceives women in Scripture as
oppressed. That’s due in part to modern
notions of freedom which clash with biblical roles. However, in both ancient Israel and in the
New Testament church, the role of mothers in particular was honored.
One Bible dictionary notes, “In the Hebrew family, the
mother occupied a higher position than that enjoyed by women in many other nations. The mother’s duties were primarily domestic,
but she was held in high regard by her family and Hebrew society.”[4] Another puts it this way, “In vain do we look
in the Scriptures for traces of the low position which woman occupies in many
eastern lands.”[5] It continues that it was “Mohammedan rule”
which created the situation where women are devalued (i.e., Islam).[6]
In biblical society, we see they had a voice. For instance, even when the men were
discussing the possibility of Rebekah’s marriage to Isaac, they asked her if
she wanted to go (Gen. 24:57–58), and her mother had an equal say in the matter
(v. 28, 55, 57). Years later, when Jacob
fled from Esau, we read that he did so out of obedience to “his father and his
mother” (28:7). The Ten Commandments
would call for children to honor both father and mother (Exod. 20:12),
and the Law demanded the same death penalty for those who strike or curse their
father or mother (Exod. 21:15, 17).
Women also held prominent positions. Beside Moses leading Israel was his sister,
Miriam the prophetess (Exod. 15:20).
Deborah was one of the judges of Israel (Jgs 4:4). Sometimes God allowed women prominent
positions to shame men who were not leading properly (cf. Isa. 3:12), but He
has also always honored women, and mothers in particular. We don’t see this same exaltation in other
ancient cultures.
With that noted, let’s consider some of the character traits
among women which make them so saintly in Scripture. That brings us to our final point:
IV.
The Glories of Motherhood in Biblical Character
When we are talking about the roles of men and women
biblically, one of the best words to describe their interactions is
complementarianism. That word means that
God designed men and women to complement each other’s strengths, not in the
sense of thanking one another (although that is nice to do) but in the sense of
filling in deficiencies. That means that
there are roles that God designates only for men (like leadership within the
home and the church) and some only for women (like making homes for their children
and the church family). This goes
against the egalitarian view that men and women are interchangeable; the simple
fact that only women can bear and rear children is proof that we are each designed
with different means of glorifying God.
This also means that if you were born female, God created you as such for
His wonderful purposes, even if you struggle with that at times.
Eve stood beside Adam, made from his rib, to help fulfill
the creation mandate. His was an
essential role, as was hers; neither could fill the earth and subdue it without
the other. They both exercised dominion,
and motherhood was a role that Adam could not fulfill.
Now, part of this is seeing something else that is
countercultural. Where would mankind be
if Eve adopted the view of Jane Studdock in That Hideous Strength? Many women today, in contradiction to their
foremother who was excited when she started bearing children, see marriage and
children as a burden and an impediment to their lives’ goals. We need to adopt the view of Scripture, which
says in places like Psalm 127:3–5, “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the
fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows
in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full
of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the
gate.” Children are a blessing from the
Lord.
Of course, living in a fallen world, women sometimes
struggle with motherhood, and that isn’t always their fault. Still, through the struggle, they learn. They learn to be more compassionate and patient. They also grow personally as they teach their
children about the Lord.
And, indeed, women are to teach their children. Note the words to the son in Proverbs 1:8: “Hear,
my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” Again, in Proverbs 6:20, he is told to “observe
the commandment of your father and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.” This is what blessed Timothy so much, as Paul
reminded him in 2 Timothy 1:5; “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within
you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I
am sure that it is in you as well.” Fathers are indeed responsible to ensure that
the children are hearing about the Lord, but they must also learn from their
mothers.
Mothers also discipline their children! As we already noted, children must obey their
mothers as much as they do their fathers.
In Proverbs 29:15, we read, “The
rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to
his mother.” The mother doesn’t
just wait until father is home; she often applies the rod of correction
herself.
This is good for children to hear! Scripture says, “A wise son makes a father
glad, but a foolish son is a grief to his mother” (Prov. 10:1) and, “Let your
father and your mother be glad, and let her rejoice who gave birth to you”
(23:25). May children bring joy, not
sorrow to their mothers!
It is also good for mothers to hear this, for Scripture also
speaks of bad mothers. For instance,
there’s the sad case of Ahaziah; we read, “He did evil in the sight of the Lord
and walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way
of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin” (1 Kings 22:52), and
another place says, “He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his
mother was his counselor to do wickedly.”
She wasn’t the only one; in the New Testament, there’s the case of
Herodias: “But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced
before them and pleased Herod, so much that he promised with an oath to
give her whatever she asked. Having been
prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John
the Baptist” (Matt. 14:6–8). Children
may have to make the sad decision one day to follow the Lord instead of their
mothers, for the Lord said that He would even divide some families (Luke
12:53).
Mothers who fear they have dishonored the Lord can always
repent and seek God’s grace to set it right.
Jesus died for the sins of
parenting, as well, and the Holy Spirit can guide us in redeeming the time
properly. None of us need live in guilt
and shame before the Lord when there is forgiveness available in Christ
Jesus. We simply ask His grace to move
forward in thankfulness, obeying and trusting that He can sort out any issues
in His timing.
V.
Conclusion
I certainly hope this encourages everyone in the
congregation in a variety of ways.
First, I hope soon-to-be and current mothers see that you are on the
right path. Don’t listen to the world
which tells you that motherhood is a distraction from your goals, that you must
invest in yourself instead. You are
fulfilling one of the highest roles in all creation, so do so to the glory of
God! I hope that you will take some of
the advice from the older individuals here who have been where you are.
Second, I hope husbands walk away with a greater
appreciation for motherhood. There are
struggles and trials unique to manhood that can tempt us to neglect or ignore
how difficult womanhood can be.
Scripture says to “live with your
wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a
woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life” (1 Peter 3:7). We can take the lead and serve them so that
our children receive the best from their mothers that they can.
Third, I hope women who can’t have children are discouraged,
as though you have failed in some way.
Nothing is further from the truth.
While I can’t ever say whether the Lord is sending punishment, He often
allows barrenness for other reasons; there are times when a physical malady is
unrelated to sin but done for the purpose of glorifying God (John 9:2–3). Many women in Scripture, such as Sara,
Rebekah, Rachel, and Hannah were barren until God opened their wombs. Other women in Scripture have no record of
children, but they still were vital individuals in continuing redemption’s
story in Scripture, such as Deborah.
There is no telling how God can use you, and you may even be in a
position to serve the Lord and this church that mothers cannot.
Fourth, I hope this encourages the young people here, both
female and male. I hope you will reject
the world’s message that children are bad and annoying. I hope that you don’t swallow the lies of that
hideous strength out there, that you just need to grow up pursuing your own
ambitions. Some of you young ladies are
uncomfortable (a normal feeling) and are being told and tempted to change
gender. However, you are made the sex
you are by God for a reason, and there is something glorious He created into
growing into mature womanhood, finding a husband, and bearing and raising children
in His name. I hope none of the young or
unmarried men and women in here think poorly of marriage and parenting, but
that you would reject those thoughts for what is right.
Fifth, and finally, I hope that the older members of our
congregation will do what they can to support and help younger couples and
families in the church. It’s difficult
to look upon years gone by, especially if you are now single, but remember that
they need prayer and encouragement.
Children and young people also need to be reminded why this is better
than what they’ll find in the world.
It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of the family of God, and we can all
serve to support and exalt the glories and motherhood and individual families,
together.
[1] Jr. James. M. Hamilton, “A Biblical Theology of Motherhood,” Journal of
Discipleship & Family Ministry Volume 2 2, no. 2 (2012): 6–7.
[2] James A. Brooks, Holman
Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 2003, 1154–1155.
[3] Henry E. Dosker, The
International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, 1915, 1–5, 2092.
[4] Ronald F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison,
Thomas Nelson Publishers, Eds., Nelson’s
new illustrated Bible dictionary,
1995.
[5] Henry E. Dosker, The
International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, 1915, 1–5, 2092.
[6] Henry E. Dosker, The
International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, 1915, 1–5, 2092.