Proverbs 31. Christian  Mothers

A Godly Influence in an Ungodly World

Introduction.  In our culture we see many bad examples of poor mothers. There are mothers who dress immodestly, act immorally, allow their daughters to go out improperly dressed, use excessive  profanity in front of them, watch sexually explicit TV shows and movies, gossip, treat children in a cruel or neglectful  manner, fail to provide a good home atmosphere,  neglect  spiritual training for themselves and their children and abort the unwanted babies. Christian mothers have a more difficult task than ever before raising, “…children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine a s lights in the world…” Phil 2.15.

Proverbs 31 includes a mothers advice to a future king and attributes of the godly wife. “Lemuel” may have been Solomon according to ancient Jewish tradition.

31. 31.2-9. A mother with great concern for her child gives him godly guidance.
32. She calls him “son of my vows.” She dedicated him to God as Hannah did with Samuel. Like Hannah, I Sam 1.10f, she no doubt prayed diligently for him. Loving mothers will pray long and fervently  for their children, especially for their spiritual lives; Jas 5.16f;  Eph 1;3; Phil 1; Col 1; 4.12; etc..
33. Mothers [and dads] need to also model a dedicated Christian life having daily Bible study, prayer and regular church attendance and involvement. It is only with God’s help and in our close personal walk with Him that we find strength and guidance to raise our kids.
34. We not only model having devotions and prayer but we need to daily teach them. Children’s colorful Bible story books are good for this. We pray for them and with them perhaps at bedtime and meals. We show the Christian life in our conduct and teaching daily.
35. Commands to teach include Deut 6; Ex 13.8f; Eph 6.4; Col 3.21.
36. Godly examples include Gen 18.19, Abram; Moses’ mother, Jochebed, Ex 2 who courageously and  providentially had some time to teach her son Moses; the courageous prolife Hebrew midwives, Ex 1.16-21 whose households God blessed;  the godly legacy of Timothy’s mother and grandmother, II Tim 1.5f; 3.13f; Acts 16.1f. Moms need to bond with young children spending lots of loving time with.
37. She gives her son specific guidance in 3 areas:
38. Sexual purity, not to give yourself to women outside of marriage. Solomon did not heed that advice I Ki 11; though he gave advice to his sons Pr 2.16; 5.1f; 7; 22.14f. Jesus and later Paul commanded sexual purity Matt 5.27f; I Cor 6.13f; I Thess 4.3f. We need to give guidelines to our teens for conduct with the opposite sex and wait until marriage to practice it.
39. She taught him to be careful with alcohol. Teen drinking and drugs is epidemic. We are commanded to not to be drunk Eph 5.17f; Pr 20.1; 23.20f, 29f or given to drugs, Gal 5.19f. These cause people to act with poor judgment.
40. She commands him to care for the poor and needy. This includes widows and orphans, the unborn, Jas 2.1f; Gal 2.10; Ps 82.3. If you know of any woman considering an abortion please have them talk to me I have literature, pictures and referrals to help them decide to carry the baby to term and get help. Be a hero, save a life!
41. Characteristics of the virtuous wife. These are rare therefore worth more than rubies.
42. Her husband trusts her because she respects and stands with him; Gen 2.20f; Eph 5.22f. She is to be the “helper fit for him.” Wives are to submit to and respect their husbands. This is her proper role and as she models this before her children she is training the next generation for marriage, helps keep stability in the home and trains children to respect their father.. Both are equal Gal 3.27f;but the wife submits as do we to Christ and the husband is to love as Christ loves us. This pattern is rare in society today. The good mother respects, encourages and loves her husband and kids Tit 2.4f.
43. The children observe how she handles difficulties and anger with prayer and exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit, Gal 5.22f. She gives God thanks and praise when things go well, Jas 5.13f.
44. The good wife does not sit around eating bonbons watching stupid daytime TV. She is diligent shopping carefully for needful, nourishing and interesting things, 31.13-14. She is careful with money getting bargains. She works hard at keeping house and providing good meals for her husband and children.
45. In this day not all women are good at sewing but she makes sure her husband and children have good, appropriate and attractive clothing 31.21f. It doesn’t get as cold here as back east and up north but some days kids need to go to school with jackets or sweaters.
46. She clearly is well organized at home. We may not have servants but chores for kids need to be organized and enforced. [Marianne was much better at this than I!]
47. Once the children and husband are cared for she is intelligent and diligent to help work helping provide for the family. In older times this work was in the home so she was there with the children and teaching them also to help and learn how to do what she accomplished. Fathers often taught sons their trade. Women should not rush out to the workplace unless it is necessary, their young children need them and they grow up way too fast! Spend that valuable time while you can loving and influencing them. Remember the world and the devil are out to get them. I John 2.14f; Eph 6.10f.
48. She prepares enough food and clothing that she can help the poor and needy. This is also a good example for children and certainly what Jesus taught, Matt 22.37f. We want to raise kids to care for others and not just think of themselves. We live in a very selfish culture.
49. She is seen as intelligent and wise, 31.26. Stay at home moms need to be as smart as those in the working world. She, as we saw above, needs to give wise counsel to her children as well as Bible truth in matters concerning the complexities of life and problems they will face. She of course disciplines them in love for their good, Heb 12.5f as God disciplines us.
50. Sometimes her wisdom helps her husband’s success as he is prominent and successful, 31.23f
51. Children are not always appreciative of guidance and discipline but later they will praise their mother 31.28 as her husband does as well. He brags about her to his associates, 31.31
52. She is beautiful for her inner qualities even if her outward beauty fades. 31.30; I Tim 2.9f; II Cor 4.16.

Conclusions. Happy Mothers’ Day ladies! We value, honor, praise and will pray for  you as you have the most important job in the world, raising godly children!