Being a Mother is one of the greatest gifts a woman can have, if she so chooses to have children. But motherhood is not easy and we could all use some encouragement from time to time. It’s not just mothers that could use some encouragement, though. There are many women in my life and that of my children’s that have had a motherly influence on us, and for them we are very thankful. The Bible is full of examples of Godly women and we can draw encouragement from the stories of their lives.
There are some great examples of mothers in the Bible, and many verses that speak to the value of a wife and a mother. Let’s take a look at a few of them together.
Jochebed, mother of Moses (Exodus 2)
Jochebed lived during the time of the Isrealite’s captivity in Egypt. At the time of her youngest son’s birth the midwives of the kingdom had been ordered to kill all males born to the Isrealite women because the Isrealites were multiplying and taking over the lands around Egypt. But the midwives feared God and spared the male children.
The mothers, however, still feared for their son’s lives. Jochebed was only able to hide her son for three months before she feared his discovery, so she placed her son in a basket made of reeds near the river’s edge. The child was found by the daughter of Pharaoh, who named him Moses. Jochebed loved her son enough to give him up and Pharaoh’s daughter loved the child enough to give him a life he would never had otherwise.
Naomi, mother-in-law of Ruth (Ruth 1-4)
Naomi, her husband, and two sons traveled to the land of Moab during a famine in Israel. There the sons married, and later the sons and their father died. Naomi made the decision to return to her homeland, telling her daughters-in-law to return to the homes of their mother. Ruth, however, begged Naomi to let her stay and the two women went together to Bethlehem.
There, Ruth was able to care for her mother-in-law by gleaning in the fields of Boaz, and Naomi helped her in her marriage to Boaz. Naomi’s love for Ruth is a great example of the adoptive nature of mothers-in-law.
Hannah, mother of Samuel (1 Samuel 1-2)
Hannah was one of Elkanah’s two wives. Peninniah had many children, while Hannah had none. Hannah prayed to God for many years for the gift of a child. In bitterness of soul she made a vow, that if God would bless her with a child she would give the child back to the Lord. God heard her prayers and she bore a son, whom she called Samuel. Once the child was weaned she brought him to the temple, to Eli the priest, and left him there to serve God all the days of his life.
But Hannah did not forget her first-born son. Every year she made him a new coat and brought it to him when she accompanied her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Her love for him was clearly shown in that one simple task.
Below are a handful of scriptures for moms, wives, children, and husbands. Please share them with those in your life who could use some reminders from God.
Verses for mothers and wives
Psalms 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 29:15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Proverbs 11:16 A gracious woman retains honor, but ruthless men retain riches.
Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.
Verses for children
Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
Exodus 21:15, 17 And he who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death…And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.
Psalms 139:13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother.
Proverbs 23:25 Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice.
Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.
Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
Verses for husbands
Proverbs 5:18 Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth.
Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.
I find the greatest encouragement from the verses below. Whenever I lose sight of what truly matters, I remind myself of the woman described in Proverbs 31. Read through them below and let me know which of them speaks to you the most.
Proverbs 31:10-31 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
To all the wives, mothers, aunts, sisters, grandmothers, and friends who help us raise our children, thank you! Do you draw encouragement from the scriptures? Which ones are your favorite? Let me know in the comments!