Mother

Because of sin God said childbearing would be painful and many women have died during or because of giving birth (Gen 3:16). Many other married women suffer from the stigma or mental anguish of childlessness, although medical assistance can prove helpful or babies be adopted, yet a Christian woman can be a spiritual mother to more children than she could have in the natural realm (Gal 4:27). One of the various qualities of a noble woman or mother is “her children [biological and spiritual] will rise up and call her blessed” (Prov 31:10-31). A mother’s heart is normally more tender and loving than a man’s because of the bonding during the time of pregnancy. A mother often stores up and treasures things about her children, pondering them in her heart (Lk 2:19,51).

Both a father and mother are to be respected and their teaching followed so they may rejoice in their children (Ex 20:12; Prov 1:8, 6:20, 23:22,25, 29:15). Mary, the mother of Jesus, like all our mothers should be honoured but not worshiped.

Honour your father and your mother… – Exodus 20:12

The Bible sometimes refers to the ‘mothering qualities’ of God in the way He cares for us and Jesus compared Himself to a [mother] hen (Is 66:13; Mt 23:37).