Today is Mother’s Day! To all of you who are mothers, we say thank you so much for all you have given to us children.
The message title that you see in your bulletins comes from a book, ‘At the Feet of Ordinary Women’, written by five women who want to encourage all women on their walk with God. 1
Today we are praising mothers, not just for today but for all the years they have worked at being ‘mums’! My mother has been deceased awhile, but I still remember all the years that she cared for me. Many of the ladies in this church family have been my ‘mum’ for a long time – for that I say thank you!
Now let us look at the Titus 2 woman and Proverbs 31 lady together.
Titus 2:3-5 NIV
3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted too much wine, but to teach what is good.
4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children,
5 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.
First, I want you to focus on the positive points that Paul is making. He started this chapter with ‘You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine’ (Vs.1). He emphasizes ‘but to teach what is good’ in verse 3 and ends this passage with ‘so no one will malign the Word of God’.
Back then it was a male dominated world – today is much different in our country. We now have women in leadership and men as ‘single parents’! God’s Word is timeless, so look to Him for clarity.
Paul is telling us that no matter what your situation is as a woman, live your life following God’s leading and you will be a positive role model for all women. He is telling women to take seriously their actions as mothers and wives. His goal is to have all persons living for Jesus so that God is glorified through all of us.
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary states:
‘To aged and young women considerable emphasis is placed on the foundation of the home. The honor of the Word of God is the supreme sanction for right conduct.’ 2
Lord Shaftesbury, in Nelson’s Book of Stories, is quoted:
‘Give me a generation of Christian Mothers, and I will undertake to change the whole face of society in twelve months.’ 3
Do you mothers realize the impact you have on all humankind? Your love and care, given with God’s guidance, will change the world. It starts right here, right now, as you care for those around you. What you teach will be learned, so teach well!
Now on to Proverbs 31 ‘The Wife of Noble Character.’
Proverbs 31:10-31 NIV
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
In J. Sidlow Baxters ‘Explore the Book’, we find his summary of this passage:
Mrs. Far-Above-Rubies
She is a Good Woman – She works diligently. (Vs. 13, 15, 19)
She contrives prudently. (Vs.16, 22, 24)
She behaves uprightly. (Vs. 25)
She is a Good Wife – She seeks husband’s good. (Vs. 12)
She keeps his confidence. (Vs. 11)
She aids his prosperity. (Vs. 23-24)
She is a Good Mother – She clothes family wisely. (Vs. 21)
She feeds household well. (Vs. 15, 27)
She shops sensibly. (Vs. 14, 18)
She is a Good Neighbor – She helps the poor. (Vs. 20)
She uplifts the needy. (Vs. 20)
She speaks graciously. (Vs. 26) 4
Vs.26 Wisdom – Her virtues are not mere industry. Wisdom and kindness and nobility are hers – not the characteristics of a sluggard. These virtues, typical of the book of Proverbs, are capped by the fact that she “feareth the Lord”. 5
Jim Hughes, National President, Campaign Life Coalition, stated in a letter this month:
‘Mothers are not just those of us who have had babies, they are those who took care of ailing parents, who helped pay for the schooling of their nieces, nephews and friends and are genuinely nurturers… I would ask you to remember especially in your prayers, all of our mothers (living and deceased) and to celebrate motherhood.’ 6
I want to close with a thought coming from the message title ‘The Titus 2 Woman grows up and becomes the Proverbs 31 Lady’. Both passages of Scripture give us what women are to strive for in their walk with God.
I think that we should all strive for the core ideas of living our lives for Jesus, shining His love for all to see, and growing in wisdom through God’s Word – the Bible.
Join me as I pray for our mothers.
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