Lessons We Learn from 3 Faithful Mothers of the Bible

In honor of Mother’s Day, I’d like to look at three faithful and amazing mothers of the Bible. I hope you could celebrate (or reflect on) the love of your mother or a special woman who played the role of a mother in your life.

The role of a mother is to live out the sincere faith, grace, wisdom, and grit needed to care for their children. I threw grit in there because by definition it embodies what you need to fulfill the role of a godly mother- courage, strength, perseverance, and passion for long-term goals.

That holds true of mothers now and in Biblical times. Do you see these qualities in your own Mother or yourself?

Biblical Mothers

There are over 84 names of mothers listed in the Old Testament alone! Many mothers in the Bible are notable in the roles they played, but I have narrowed it down to three to go a bit more in-depth.

Eve’s Story

There is much more to Eve’s story than her epic error in judgment.

While the concept of evil was foreign to Eve, she still knew that she was supposed to obey God. Since we fall into the trap of sin every day, we can’t throw stones at Eve.

Adam gave Eve her name after the fall and hearing God’s promise that one of their children would crush the serpent. 

“Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all living.” Genesis 3:20 ESV.

Eve was not only the first woman on earth, but the first wife, companion, gardener, and mother. She received directives from God, but otherwise, it was a “learn-as-you-go” life for Eve.

Eve first conceived as they were struggling with daily life (food, clothing, shelter). I wonder if she had morning sickness, how Adam performed as a midwife.

Was she confused and/or frightened? Eve had no mother, sisters, or girlfriends to ask for answers to her questions.

I love her response to her firstborn son, Cain- “With the help of the Lord, I have brought forth a man.” Genesis 4:1. Even after all she had gone through, she gives glory to her God.  

Her gratitude reflects her faith in God’s continuing provision in her life. No complaining about her childbirth pains or exile from Eden. Just gratitude.

The heartbreaking moments of motherhood for Eve are told in Genesis 4, when her firstborn, Cain, murders his brother Abel.

Eve was the first mother to bury a child.

Lessons from Eve

•Eve had a close relationship with God and her husband Adam, living an idyllic life in the Garden of Eden. God gave life to Eve, and she gave life to the world. 

•Eve carried out her duties of a farm wife, companion, mother, cook, and housewife with no one to guide her. She left paradise to lead a hard life. She had to be ingenious and hardworking after the fall in making a life for her family.

•It must have broken her heart to know her firstborn was the murderer of her second son. Cain’s punishment was to be a wandering, restless exile. Did Eve ever see her firstborn again?

•Eve gave birth to Seth (Genesis 4:25) and many other children. When Seth was born, she praised God for the gift of another child.

•There are only two other mentions of Eve in the Bible. Paul reminds the believers, “I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray…” 2 Corinthians 11:3.  

Eve’s unfortunate legacy is listening to the words of a smooth-talking serpent instead of God. Paul records her as the first woman of creation in 1 Timothy 2:13.

Reflection: Motherhood can leave us tired, overwhelmed, and lonely. Some things don’t change; I’m sure Eve felt the same way. God sees your hard work, your sacrifices, and your heart for your children.  

How does Eve’s faithfulness to God, her resilience after heartbreak (leaving Eden, the death of a child), and hardworking dedication to her family encourage you?  

Jochebed- Mother of Moses

We find Jochebed’s story as the mother of Moses in Exodus 2:1-9. The meaning of the name Jochebed is “Jehovah is glory.”

It’s a rather remarkable name for someone we know very little about. She is the first person of the Bible to have a name with an element of God’s name in it.

Jochebed was from the priestly tribe of Levi and marries a Levite, Amram, who also is her nephew (a common practice.)

Moses’ Mother

Jochebed had three children: Miriam, Aaron, and Moses. She saved the life of her baby boy, Moses, with resourcefulness and faith.  

Pharaoh was fearful of the exploding population of the Hebrew people and commanded all newborn Hebrew boys thrown into the crocodile-infested Nile river.

Jochebed defies Pharaoh’s order and hides her newborn son for three months. When she could hide him no longer, she made a waterproof basket for him and placed it in the reeds along the riverbank.

Miriam went along to guard baby Moses. By God’s providence, Pharaoh’s daughter sees baby Moses when she comes down to the river, and she feels sorry for the crying baby.

Miriam approaches the princess and offers to find someone to nurse the baby- Moses’ own biological mother! God saves Moses’ life and allows Jochebed to nurse and care for her own child!

Jochebed Lessons

•Jochebed shows the fierce protectiveness of motherhood when she defies Pharaoh’s orders. No doubt she had the help of the Hebrew midwives who let the baby boys live.

They used the fake excuse that the Hebrew women were “vigorous”; giving birth before they could arrive.

•Jochebed shows her cleverness in devising a way to save her son. She fought for his life.

She shows her love, faith, and courage in placing Moses, her Hebrew son, in Pharaoh’s house.

•Jochebed shows what the determination and ingenuity of a desperate mother can accomplish.

•Jochebed trusted God to protect her son’s life. What a glorious example to mothers everywhere to use your faith to entrust our children to God!

Reflection: Don’t get between a fierce Momma and her child, right?! It’s the same way Jesus loves us- fiercely; protectively. 

I love Jochebed’s trust in God for the lives of her children. What does entrusting God with the lives of your children look like?

Mary, the Mother of God

Mary holds a unique place in Biblical history and, right along with Eve, is one of the most well-known mothers of the entire Bible. She holds the record of being the only Mother whose child chose her as his mother. 

She gave birth to a son who was true God and true man. Most of what we know about Mary is from the New Testament, but she crops up in the Old Testament in prophecy-

“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14.

Facts about Mary

●Mary was a willing servant with a deep faith in God and was obedient to His call. Her pregnancy came with many possible risks, but after hearing God’s plan from the angel Gabriel, her response was simple trust and acceptance. 

I’m sure she did not understand the difficult times or the suffering this trust would bring, but she responds with obedience to His plan for her to be the mother of the Messiah.

●Mary’s life as the mother of Jesus was difficult. Just days before delivery, she rides from Nazareth to Bethlehem on a donkey. (That must have been uncomfortable.) 

She’s forced to give birth in an animal pen with only Joseph to attend to her. Sometime after Jesus’ birth, they learn of the death threat on their child’s life and flee to Egypt. 

Many people met Her Son’s life and ministry with much skepticism. Jesus frequently butted heads with the rabbis of his day. Mary watched as they put her precious Son to death.

●Mary was a mother from a small town and a poor, humble family. She had to change the Messiah’s diapers, make His clothes, and feed and care for him and His siblings. I love the fact that Jesus was born into an ordinary, simple family.

We read about two great “Mary as Mom” moments in the Bible:

●When Jesus was twelve, they went to Jerusalem for Passover. Jesus, a precocious boy of 12, stayed behind when His family left and became absorbed with rabbinical teaching in the temple.  

It was 3 days before they found Jesus, and Mary gave him a “talking to” for making them frantic with worry. (Sound familiar?) Son of God, or not, your mother will worry about you!

●When the wine ran out at the wedding in Cana, Mary asked her Son to help solve the problem. Jesus gently responds, “Why do you involve me? My time has not yet come.”  

Mary does not respond, but trusts in His ability to work out a solution. (Maybe she gave him “the look”?) She tells the servants to “do whatever he tells you.” John 2:4-5.  

●Mary’s deep sorrow turned into the greatest joy, as Luke tells us she was with Jesus after His resurrection, along with His disbelieving brothers. The resurrection of her Son settled the sibling rivalry!

“They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” Acts 1:14.

Lessons from Mary

•One of the beautiful qualities of Mary was her great faith, willingness, and complete trust in God considering she was a young and frightened unwed mother.

•Even though Mary didn’t fully understand Jesus’ ministry, she supported Him throughout her entire life (she was His first follower!) 

•Mary is proof that God sees our hearts when he asks us to serve him. Mary was an obscure, ordinary teen when He called her to become the earthly Mother of Jesus.

Reflection: Years ago, I was a suddenly single Mom with two very young children. I wish I could say I showed the complete devotion to God that Mary did. 

But her early life circumstances can encourage us. He sees you, single Momma. Jesus knows you’re doing double duty, and it’s hard. He hears the words of judgement from others towards you.

Press into Him and trust Him completely. Jesus will strengthen and direct you to be a wonderful Christian mom to your children. 

Faithful Mothers in the Bible

These are just 3 examples of faithful Mothers in the Bible. But they all have one thing in common: their faith and strong dependence on God. Their actions show us the impact of mothers on their children’s lives.

Even though God expelled Eve from the Garden of Eden, her statements tell us she gives God all the credit for her life and family.

Jochebed was in the terrible position of giving up her son to imminent drowning or murder and entrusts God to intervene in Moses’ life.

Mary was in a delicate position as an unwed mother, but trusts God to bless her with his Son. His life must have made her wonder if she was capable or qualified to raise the Messiah. His death must have devastated her.

All three of these mothers in the Bible show unconditional love and fierce protection for the lives of their children. Their everyday lives and circumstances differ vastly from mothers today.  

But the joy and excitement of their children’s birth, followed by years of hard work, discipline, grief, sadness, and delight in our children are universal. That hasn’t changed, even though our world has. 

I’m thankful for these snippets of the lives of Biblical Mothers to encourage and guide all “every day Mothers.”

Blessings!

AnnMarie

All Scripture is taken from the NIV unless specified otherwise.

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