Characteristics of a Godly Mother
They have a desire for children.
- 1 Samuel 1:2, 8 – Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not … 8 “Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?”
- God puts this desire in women, potential mothers – abortion so hard to fantom, a permanent solution to temporary problems
They dedicate their children.
- Hannah makes a vow to the Lord – 1 Samuel 1:11 – And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.
- Nazirite vow of consecration, no wine hair not cut – Samson
- They follow up dedication with good teaching – Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
- This is in sharp contrast to Eli’s sons who the Bible calls scoundrels (1 Samuel 2:12) and treated serving the Lord with contempt (1 Samuel 2:17).
- Eli honored his children more than he honored God – they would die before their time because of their sin.
They elevate their children.
- Godly mothers have a desire to see their children succeed – Matthew 20:20-21 – Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What is your request?” he asked. She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
- Mothers make sure their children have dressed appropriately – 1 Samuel 2:18-19 – But Samuel, though he was only a boy, served the Lord. He wore a linen garment like that of a priest.19 Each year his mother made a small coat for him and brought it to him when she came with her husband for the sacrifice.
They release their children.
- Maybe the hardest part of parenthood
- Hannah keeps her vow to the Lord – 1 Samuel 1:26-28 – “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord.27 I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. 28 Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord
- We are to release our children to their destiny – Genesis 2:24 – This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.
- Mothers trust God with your children – Matthew 12:48-50 – Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 50 Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”
Our response to a Godly mother – honor.
- Ephesians 6:2 – “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise:
- Not only honor Jesus – Ephesians 1:20 – that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
- Those who exhibit Goldy characteristics – 1 Timothy 5:17 – Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
- We need to become a culture of honor.
The next generation be better than us
- John 14:12 – Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
- Samuel would go on to be the last Judge and the first prophet