Motherhood At Its Best
by Clennie C. Johns, Jr.
Intro. The "good-mother" chapter of the Bible is without doubt the thirty-first chapter of Proverbs, where Lemuel pays tribute ot his own mother. An analysis of good motherhood as contained in this chapter reveals the qualities of an excellent or virtuous woman.
I. Mother's Counsel to a King. (vs. 3-9) -- Discuss This Second!
A. Springs from a woman's Nature. Have many beautiful pictures of women in
the Bible. Inspired women have conveyed to us some parts of the biblical
teaching. Deborah (Judges v.7), the mother of Samuel, and now the mother of
Lemuel, all help us with great Diving truths or holy thoughts and influences.
It is the gift of womenf to see into truth with a flash of sympathy. The
wonder is that we has so small a part of the Bible from the tongue and pen of
women.
B. Inspired by a mother's heart. The biblical gallery of holy women does not
introduce us to the slisters. The Hebrew heroines were "mothers in Israel,"
not nuns. Maternity completes woman. "The perfect woman, nobly planned,"
is one who can think, love, and act with the large heart of a mother.
C. Characterized by unselfish Devotion. There is nowhere in all creation such
an image of utterly unselfish, of completely self-sacrificing love as that of a
woman for her child. She almost gives her life for his infant existence. All
through his helpless years she watches ove him with untiring care. When he
goes forth into the world, she follows him with never-flagging interest. He
may forget her; she will never forget him. If he does well, her joy is
unbounded; if he does ill, her heart is broken. Without a thought of self, she
spends herself on her child, and finds her life or her death in his conduct.
D. Guided by Deep Knowledge. The mother may not know much of the outer
world; she may be quite ignorant of the most recent dicta of science; some of
her notions may seem old-fashioned to her modern-minded son or daughter.
But foolish indeed will they be if they dare to despise her counsels on such
grounds. She knows her children---their strengths and their weaknesses, their
childish faults and their early promises. Here lies the secret of her wisdom
E. Cannot be neglected without cruel ingratitude. The son may think himself
wiser than his mother, but at least he should give reverent attention to her
advice. So much love and care and thoughtfulness do not deserve to be tossed
aside in a moment of impatience. The wise son will acknowledge that his
mother's wishes deserve his most earnest consideration. It may be then, that
he will be held back in the hour of temptation by the thought of the grief that
his shameful fall would give to his mother. It is much for a life to be worthy of
a good Christian mother's counsel.
II. Some Facts About Motherhood. (vs. 1-3) -- Discuss This First!!
A. The Strong claims of Motherhood. "The son of my womb"; "the son of my
vows." These claims are based upon:
1. Motherhood as such-- Upon all that motherhood seems to us; upon the fact
that the mother has borne her child, has cherished at her own breast, has
watched over his infancy and childhood with great care, has shielded and
succoured him, has fed and clothed him; as we say in one word---has
"mothered" him.
2. Motherly training and dedication. The early experiences of the mother
include much beyond the physical realm; they include the education of the
intellect, the training of the will, the first imparting of religious instruction,
the solemn dedication of her child to the service of God, repeated and
earnest prayer on his behalf. Her child is not only her offspring; he is "the
son of her vows," the one on whom whe has expended her most fervent
piety.
3. Maternal affection and anxiety. The words of Lemuel's mother are charged
with deep affection and profound solicitude. And it is those who truly love
us, and who are unselfishly devoted to our interest, that have the
strongest claims upon us. A claim which is only that of natural
relationship, and is not crowned and completed by affection, falls very
short indeed of that which is strengthened and sanctified by sacrificial
love.
B. The Hope of Motherhood. The mother hopes for good and even great things
for and from her child. He is to stand among the strong, the wise, the
honored, the useful.
C. It's Bitter and Cruel Disappointment. When the son of much sorrow and
prayer, of much patient training and earnest entreaty, who had a noble
opportunity before him--- when he virtually signs away his inheritance, "gives
his strength" to the destroyer, takes the path which leads to entire
dethronement and ruin, then is there such a bitter and such a cruel
disappontment as only a mother's heart can feel and know. Then perishes a
fond and proud and precious hope; then enters and takes possession-- a
saddening, a crushing sorrow.
D. It's Right to Remonstrate. "What my son?" This of thee?-- of thee whom I
have loved and taught and trained? Of thee for whom I have yearned and
prayed? Of thee fom whom I have had a right to hope for such better things?
Oh, lose not thy fair heritage! Take the portion, live the life, wear the crown,
still within thy reach? A true and faithful mother has a right which is whollyh
indisputable, and strong with surpassing strength, to speak thus in
affectionate expostulation to one who owes so much to her, and has returned
her nothing. And what is---
E. The Filial Duty? Surely it is to receive such remonstrance with deep respect;
to give to it a patient and dutiful attention; to take it into long and earnest
consideration; to resolve that, cost what it may, the path of penitence and
renewal shall be trodden; that anything shall be endured rather than a
mother's heart be pierced by the hand of her own child!
III. But an analysis of Good Motherhood as contained in this chapter reveals
the following qualities:
A. Virtue (vs. 10)
B. Industrious (vs. 13)
C. Economical (vs. 16)
D. Benevolent (vs. 20)
E. Ability to be a good helpmeet (vs. 26)
F. Intelligent (vs. 26)
G. Love of home (vs. 27)
H. Reverance and religion (vs. 30)
IV. Christian womanhood (vs. 10-31) If Solomon did write these words, we need
not be surprised that he speaks of the rarity of the ideal woman; "for she is
hardly to be found in a crowded harem. It is the Christian home that contains
her.
A. Her characteristics--
1. Piety-- "She feareth the Lord" (vs. 30). She has within her the spirit of
reverence, and the life she lives is one in which worship and the study of
the will of God have no small share. She has a seat and is at home in the
sanctuary; she is also constant and earnest in the quiet chamber of
devotion; she knows well that the happiness of her home and the well-
being of her household depend upon the favour of the heavenly Father.
2. Purity-- She is a virtuous woman(vs. 10). She gives her whole heart to
her husband, and enjoys his full confidence(vs. 11).
3. Industrious-- The writer dwells upon the labors she puts forth for the
sake of her husband and her household.
4. Wisdom (vs. 26)-- Her conversation is far removed from mere idle gossip
or the vanities of an empty curiosity. She is familiar withj "the Law 0f the
Lord;" who knows what is the secret of lasting happiness. She can guide
her sons and daughters in the way of life; and she instills her heaven-
born wisdom into minds that welcome it and will never lose it.
5. Kindness-- "The law of kindness is on her lips." She is one that does not
rule by the "constant droppings" of censure, but by the never-failing
stream of gentleness and encouragement. Love, not fear, is the sceptre
which she holds, and is the source of her strength.
6. Beneficence (vs. 20).
B. Her reward---
1. Affection and honour-- on the part of those who are nearest her. Her
husband trusts her (vs. 28), and her children "rise up and call her blessed."
2. Strength and dignity-- in her home. She is "clothed upon with" the
tributes woven by love and esteem. Here influence is felt much oftener
than it is recognized, and long after her face and her voicee are no longer
seen and heard.
3. Security-- against future want. She "laugheth at the time to come," while
those who lack her prudence and her skill have reason to shrink from the
thought of it.
4. The prosperity-- of her relatives. Her husband relieved of care and worry at
home, is able to do his proper work, and succeeds in his sphere (vs. 23).
C. Her commonness in the Kingdom of Christ.