By Sue C.

A mothers responsibilities:

First, a mother is a bearer of children. In His description of Moses mother, God tells us some things about a good mother. Numbers 26:59 says, 'And the name of Amrams wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.'

Secondly, God has planned for the mother to nurse her children. Exodus 2:7-9 explains, 'Then said his sister to Pharaohs daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? And Pharaohs daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the childs mother. And Pharaohs daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it.'

Remember that Pharaoh had '…charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.' (Exodus 1:22) Moses father and mother feared God and were not afraid of the kings commandment. They knew that it would be murder to kill their son. They hid Moses for three months, but soon it was impossible to hide him any longer. His mother made an ark of bulrushes, sealed it well, put Moses in it, and then laid it in the flags by the rivers brink. Then she sent her daughter Miriam to watch and see what would happen to Moses.

God blessed Moses mother for her faith, and Moses mother had the opportunity to nurse her own child even though Pharaohs daugther had taken Moses to be her son, and he would later live with her in the palace.

God has given the mother the great responsibility of feeding and protecting her child and bringing her child up. This responsibility includes the actual act of giving the child food and making sure the child eats it and is nourished. This differs from the fathers responsibility in that it is his responsibility to make sure food is provided for the child (and for the rest of the family). The mother makes certain that the child eats the food and is nourished and clothed. She delights in caring for him or her and in watching her child grow.

A third responsibility for a mother is to care for her child when her child is ill. She holds him (or her) closely and clasps him fondly to her bosom, making him feel secure and loved. She nurtures and cherishes her precious child. In a way, this is an extension of nursing the child.

In order to keep a child well and happy and cause a child to grow, a mother must choose only the best food to give to him or her even if she must sacrifice to get it. She also gives food to the workers she hires to help her in her household duties. A mother is a diligent worker herself. Gods word says, 'She is like the merchants ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.' (Proverbs 31:14,15a)

All these are the responsibilities of a mother. Part #2 will describe some characteristics of a godly mother, and will explain what God wants a godly mother to be like.

(All Scripture verses quoted from KJV)

by Sue C.

I was born to missionary parents in the country of Papua New Guinea. Because my parents faithfully taught me Gods word, I accepted Jesus as Saviour at an early age. The Lord gave me a godly mother, and her life helped me to see the things described in this article. May this article encourage you.