A woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised (Prov. 31:30b, read 31:10–31).
What a text for Mother’s Day! In the Bible the only book especially for a young person closes with this acrostic poem, easy to commit and remember. Here a growing lad can see what sort of mate he should desire; a teen-age lass, what kind of mother she ought to become. With the main stress on God, this teaching poem suggests three lines of thought:
I. The Charm of a Godly Woman of the Martha type. She excels as a worker and a neighbor, as a friend and a believer. Everyone of us has reason to thank God for some dear “Aunt Martha.” During one of our wars, the lonely young soldier from the nearby camp used to thank God when the hostess for Sunday dinner proved to be a woman like Martha. She showed her faith by her works. Jesus loved Martha and Mary.
II. The influence of a Godly Wife. When married in the Lord she excels as the companion and helper of her husband. Over him she ever has a holy influence, so that he is known when he sits among the church officers. For beautiful words about such a good wife, read John Ruskin’s Sesame and Lilies.
III. The Praises of a Godly Mother. Because of her God this woman believes in having children. As a good homemaker, she loves each little child, growing lad or lass, and grown son or daughter. In the beauty of life’s morning every one of them learns to love her, as well as the father whom she leads them to understand and love. The world has nothing to show more fair than such a home, earth’s nearest approach to heaven.
My friend, have you ever come really to know and love the Book of Proverbs, especially this closing poem? If not, start now! Then you will do all that in you lies to bring up one child after another according to the ideals of this Bible book, as you will find such ideals at their best in the earthly years of the Lord.
