I watched a video this week where kids were asked the question, “How would you describe mom?” Their answers were very insightful. One boy said, “A mom is always there for you and is always caring. She is like Superwoman.” Another boy answered by saying, “When I think of mom, I think of a loving, caring person who will take me to all of the places that I need to go.” A girl answered, “A mom is someone who looks after you when you are sick and will help you learn how to do important things.” Another little girl replied, “I love my mom very much. She is the best mom in the world. She takes care of me every day.”
How would you describe mom? I am sure that we could make a very long list of words, characteristics, and attributes that accurately describe mothers. Here is an even more important question: how does the Bible describe mom? There are many Bible passages that describe motherhood. In this article, consider four ideas that the Bible uses to describe moms.
First, mothers are compassionate. In Isaiah 49:15, God asks the question, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?” Speaking to the people of Judah about the certainty of their restoration from Babylonian captivity, God communicates the compassion that He will have on His people by using the metaphor of a mother having compassion on her children. When mothers see their children hurting or in need, they are not hard-hearted. Even if they cannot help in the moment, their hearts are filled with compassion and pity. A mother’s heart is a place where her children will always find compassion.
Second, mothers are comforting. In Isaiah 66:3, God promises the struggling people of Judah, “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.” God uses the illustration of a mother comforting her children when He promises to comfort His people. That is what mothers do. When her children are hurting, scared, disappointed, discouraged, anxious, or depressed, even though she cannot necessarily make the pain stop or eliminate the negative circumstances, a mother seeks to provide peace and comfort.
Third, mothers provide care with gentleness. As Paul remembers his time with the church at Thessalonica, he writes in 1 Thessalonians 2:7, “But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.” Even though there are certainly times when stern discipline needs to take place, mothers will typically be more gentle than fathers. Thinking of their children above themselves, mothers will do whatever is necessary in order to care for their children. In this verse, Paul pictures a mother using her own body to gently supply for and take care of her children. Out of selflessness, humility, love, and sacrifice, mothers provide care and support in ways that nobody else can.
Fourth, mothers give instruction. Proverbs 31 contains a well-known passage that many have called “The Virtuous Woman.” Have you ever noticed how that passage begins? Proverbs 31:1 identifies these teachings as coming from King Lemuel and says that this is “an oracle that his mother taught him.” Proverbs has already laid the foundation of not forsaking a mother’s teaching (Proverbs 1:8; 6:20). This mother’s teaching was not just given to her son but is recorded in Scripture as being inspired of God. Because she has the best interests of her children at heart, a mother gives instruction that is needed, relevant, practical, and wise. The best kind of teaching that a mother could ever give is instruction that is rooted in the word and will of God.
These four ideas, among many others that we could give, are why we set aside a particular day to honor and celebrate mothers. How does the Bible describe mom? She is compassionate and comforting. She is intent on providing care with gentleness and needed instruction. Today, let’s thank God for the mothers who have had such a great impact on our lives.
-Tyler Alverson
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