The Children in the Home - The Mother's Role
[Editor's Note: As in other sermons on the series Hope For The Home, I did not use all the material you will read here when I preached this message. My study helped me develop the outline and sermon thoughts listed below, but I pared it down to the most important material when preaching.]
The Children in the Home - The Mother's Role
J. Mike Minnix
Introduction
The key part of this passage is verse 30b. The entire picture here is one of a woman who "fears the Lord." One commentator states that this passage is closely tied to the beginning of Proverbs - specifically 1:1-7, which speaks of the blessing of a life that fears (has faith in and stands in awe of God) the Lord.
As we consider women, and mother's in particular, we see in the passage before us the ideal wife and mother. Just like passages that describe ideal manhood, we are aware that none of us live up to God's ideals. Nonetheless, we should try to do so.
I. The Search for a Godly Homemaker
A. A Search for Great Virtue
Phyliss Diller said that once she was in a beauty shop for 7 hours - and that was just for an estimate! In all honesty, beauty is not that hard to find; but the search for character and virtue is much more difficult.
B. A Search of Great Value
Two most important decisions of a man:
First, the Lord you will serve.
Second, the Lady you will marry.
The first will determine heaven or hell in life to come.
The second will determine heaven or hell in this life!
“If Mamma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy," said Jerry Clower
The world is always searching for a godly woman and mother. That is the point of this scripture.
II. The Strengths of a Godly Homemaker
A. She is Honorable in Marriage 11-12, 23
Her Husband is honored in their Private lives
Her Husband is honored through their Public lives
An insurance salesman in the backwoods asked a man, "How would your wife carry on if you should die?"
The country man said, "I don't rightly care how she carries on after I'm dead, as long as she behaves herself while I am alive."
B. She is Frugal with Money 13-19, 24
1. Her Practical Disbursements
One man said that he and his wife had a joint checking account, which basically meant that he had a device that allowed his wife to beat him to the draw!
2. Her Portfolio Investments
She buys land, plants on it, then sells the goods for a profit. She knows how to invest not just how to spend!
3. Her Personal Improvements
She puts her hand to the spindle, meaning that she learns how to do her tasks well. She develops herself with improvements for the sake of God and her family.
C. She is Exceptional in Mercy 20
Her heart goes out to others who are less fortunate. She seeks to share with those who are suffering. Her concern is not just for "me and mine." She has a missionary heart!
D. She is Effectual in Motherhood 21, 26-28
Godly mothers are amazing. I have watched my wife of fifty years, and the mother of our children, display a love that challenges me. She has shown that love to our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren through the years. Some of those attributes of a godly mother are shown in these verses.
1. Her Anticipation
She thinks about her children and husband, and she anticipates that their needs before they arise. Like Jayne thinking ahead about the clothes and school supplies that her grandchildren will need.
2. Her Instruction
Susannah Wesley spent one hour each day praying for her 17 children. In addition, she took each child aside for a full hour every week to discuss spiritual matters. No wonder two of her sons, Charles and John, were used of God to bring blessing to all of England and much of America. Here are a few rules she followed in training her children: "(1) Subdue self‑will in a child and thus work together with God to save his soul. (2) Teach him to pray as soon as he can speak. (3) Give him nothing he cries for and only what is good for him if he asks for it politely. (4) To prevent lying, punish no fault which is freely confessed, but never allow a rebellious, sinful act to go unnoticed. (5) Commend and reward good behavior. (6) Strictly observe all promises you have made to your child."
Husbands, you need to listen to your wife's instructions on occasion, as well. Your wife will sometimes tell you to watch out for a certain woman. When she does that, you best listen. Wives are given a special, invisible antenna just to scope out dangerous situations. And if you try to tell her a lie, that same antenna can read you like a book. One man said, "Have you ever seen one of those machines that can tell you you're lieing?" The other replied, "Seen one, I married one!"
3. Her Exertion
Looking at wedding pictures, son said to father, "Is that when mother came to work for us." Mothers are consummate workers. "A man works for sun to sun, but a woman's work is never done."
E. She is Sensational in her Manner 17, 22, 25
1. She is Fit
An farmer and his son went to a large city for the first time. He stood in front of an elevator, something he had never seen. He saw an old, shriveled up little lady get inside. The door closed, some lights overhead blinked a few times and the door opened again. Out stepped an attractive young woman. The farmer looked at his son and said, "Boy, I should have brung your mamma up here."
One lady after the garage truck and asked the driver, "Am I too late for the garbage?" The driver looked her over and said, "No, lady, jump right in!"
2. She is Fashionable
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a woman seeking to look her best, to dress in clothes that are fashionable for her times or for her to desire to look beautiful.
3. She is Feminine ( a dignified lady)
One woman said that there was a real problem being a woman these days: "You have to look like a young girl, dress like a boy, talk like a man and work like a dog." Dear lady, you don't have to do that. You can be truly feminine, dignified and ladylike without sacrificing personhood or success in this world.
III. The Salute to a Godly Homemaker
She deserves the praise she gets. Some of you men criticize your wife's judgment in matters. You shouldn't do that, look at the one she married!
One fellow said the reason every man needs a wife is that too many things go wrong that you just cannot blame on the government!
God tells us that godly mothers deserve our respect and admiration. We should salute them and honor them!
A. The Depth of it - it comes from those who know her best.
The praise given to a godly mother comes from her children and her husband. They know her best and they praise her the most.
B. The Height of it - she is placed on a pedestal.
She is placed on a pedestal because she deserves it. No, there are no perfect mothers and no perfect women, though I would not advise any husbands or children to point that out on the way home today. But, good, honest and hard working mothers and wives deserve to be lifted up and praised. I have been a pastor almost all my adult life. I get plenty of criticism, but I also receive a lot of praise and kindness from people. Kind words, handwritten notes and recognition come to those of us who work among others. But, what about the lady in your home? She has the hardest job of all. I have always told people that I think the hardest job in the world is being a pastor's wife. Some of you may feel it is being a carpenter's wife, or an attorney's wife. But, when does your wife and the mother of the children get praise? When does she get a kind note or pat on the back? She needs that - OFTEN! God said so.
C. The Length of it - it lasts when beauty has passed.
Among women, beauty is admired and desired. But, the old saying is true, "Beauty is only skin deep." Real beauty is the inner goodness and dedication of a godly woman. My wife will be as beautiful to me when she is eighty years old as the she was when she was twenty or thirty years old. In fact, she will be more beautiful, because I have seen her beauty in action!
D. The Breath of it - it reaches the entire city.
In reality, no woman can live up to all that is found in this passage. This is the ideal! The nearest any woman will come to this kind of womanhood, and motherhood, is with a deep, lastly and consistent commitment to the Lord. The woman in the passage before us "feared" the Lord. The word fear can be translated as trusting with faith and following with faithfulness!
It has been said that "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world!" It is true. A woman godliness touches the home, the community, the city and the nation! Thank God for godly mothers, godly wives and godly women everywhere.