“The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel” (Judges 5:7).
Oh, what a profound testimony! A mother in ancient Israel who stimulated faith, courage, trust, and victory. Deborah lived in a time of moral and national defeat. Her nation had become enslaved by enemies because they chose to worship idols instead of the true God.
Deborah was a beacon of light. She was able to discern the will of God. She had faith in God’s power to triumph over the powers of darkness. She was inspirational. She inspired a man named Barak to meet the challenges that faced the nation. She was courageous and went with the army to encourage their faith in God. Just note her declaration of faith in Judges 4:14: “And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the lord hath delivered Sisera [the enemy] into thine hand: is not the lord gone out before thee?”
Deborah was a woman of gratitude. She composed a song of victory to be sung in remembrance of the faithfulness of God in causing them to be victorious. She gave credit where credit was due. Through her faithfulness, her people enjoyed rest and peace for forty years.
Mothers, God is calling you today to be faithful, strong, and courageous. You, like Deborah, are living in a crucial time. You are surrounded by spiritual enemies. New gods, new philosophies, and new technologies are all competing to enslave you and your family in fear and defeat. But our God hasn’t changed. His commandments and promises to mothers are as sure as they were in Deborah’s day.
God has given you the honor of co-creating a new generation.
I remember reading a speech that Theodore Roosevelt made while he was president. “If mothers refuse to do their duty there will be no next generation; or if they do their duty negligently there could be a generation worse than no generation.” In essence, he was saying that neglecting to train and teach children can only lead to ruin and chaos.
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully” (1 Timothy 5:14). That is a tall order. Mothers, you, like Deborah, have within your power to instill faith, courage, and character into the heart of your children that, when put to practice, will defeat the enemy.
The Scriptures hold motherhood in high esteem. “And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them” (Genesis 24:60. “He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the lord” (Psalm 113:9). Mothers, we encourage you to think of child-bearing as a direct visitation by God. When you accept motherhood as God choosing to use you to fulfill His divine purpose in the earth it will inspire you to be a worthy mother.
Your children will become what you are!
This is especially true when we apply it to both father and mother. However, this article is focusing on the mother.
In Judges 13, a man named Manoah asked the angel of God how they should teach and train the child that was to be born. Rather than answer that question, the angel gave specific direction as to how Manoah’s wife was to behave. The son (Samson) was destined to be a Nazarite. His mother was to abide by those rules before he was born. From the Scriptures, we learn the tremendous impact mothers have on both son and daughter. “As is the mother, so is her daughter” (Ezekiel 16:44).“And he did evil in the sight of the lord and walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother” (1 Kings 22:52). “For his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly” (2 Chronicles 22:3). On the positive side, consider Romans 16:13. “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice: and I am persuaded that in thee also” (2 Timothy 1:5). From these few accounts, we learn that mothers bear tremendous responsibility in which direction children go. I often wonder what kind of mother Daniel in the Bible had. He was an attendant in the king’s court. As far as the Scriptures record, the majority were corrupt men. But Daniel was a shining star of integrity and devotion to the only true God. He must have had a very godly mother that taught him the Scriptures.
Mothers, choose now to be what you want your children to become. Seek for the inner adornment of a meek and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4). Strive to support your husband in his role of leadership. Concentrate on maintaining an attitude of submission and gratitude. Be diligent to keep the home atmosphere pleasant and uplifting. Sing while you work. Pray constantly for what it takes to be patient under stress. Be sensitive to the needs of others. Let your ear be attentive to the cry of the lonely, the poor, and the discouraged. Offer sympathy and understanding.
Be courageous. Like Deborah, inspire others to band together to stand for the truth. Be a real mother among the people of God today. Take steps that others can safely follow. Be a handmaid of the Lord, a vessel filled with love, kindness, meekness, and the wisdom of God. Your husband will praise you, your children will bless you, and heaven will welcome you.
-by J. Luke Martin