Monday, May 12, 2014
The Proverbs 31 Mother
Scripture Reference:
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Proverbs 31:1–2 (NKJV): “The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him: ‘What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?’”
When I read today’s proverb, the phrase “son of my vows” stood out to me. It reminded me of Hannah, who dedicated Samuel to God, and of Joseph and Mary, who dedicated Jesus at the Temple. It also brought to mind my own mother.
Some of my earliest memories are of her reminding me of the vow she made on my behalf: “Son, before you were even born, I dedicated you to the Lord. I asked God not to let you be born alive if you were not going to serve Him.”
Imagine the impact that had on a child — and later on a teenager and young man. Proverbs 31 is widely known for describing the Proverbs 31 wife, but we must not forget the Proverbs 31 mother — a mother who made vows concerning her children and used them to guide them in the right direction.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Proverbs 31 Mothers — Part 2
Perhaps you are a parent who dedicated your children to God, making vows of guidance and protection. This dedication is more than a request for God’s favor; it is also a commitment from the parent to live faithfully and uphold those vows.
Or perhaps you were a child on the receiving end of such vows. You may not remember them, but they still stand. Whether parent or child, let us leverage these vows to the fullest today.
Long before there was a Proverbs 31 wife, there was a Proverbs 31 mother — shaping the future through vows of honor and devotion. The Proverbs 31 wife is celebrated for her tireless labor and care, bringing material blessings to her family (Proverbs 31:28–29). Yet for those blessings to truly matter, spiritual values must be instilled early in life, and that is the crucial role of Proverbs 31 mothers and fathers.
