Honor Your Mother (Exodus 20:12)
Mother’s Day • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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God Graciously Gave us Mothers
God Graciously Gave us Mothers
Motherhood has its origins in the Garden of Eden . After all creation was made and everything was found to be good, Adam still needed something. The Lord recognized this and said, “It is not good for Adam to be alone. I will make a helper as his complement (Genesis 2:18).” The term “helper” here refers to someone who plays a vital role in fulfilling a need or purpose. Just think about Psalm 70:5, where it states, “I am afflicted and needy; hurry to me, God. You are my help and my deliverer.” Moreover, in Psalm 121, David expresses, “I lift my eyes to the hills; where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” The same word for help is beautifully echoed in these passages as it is in Genesis 2:18.
David acknowledges that he can't tackle his troubles entirely alone. He feels a sense of need. He clearly seeks help and desires God’s intervention, as without it, he feels lost. This idea resonates with Genesis 2:18, which tells us it’s not good for Adam to be alone. He requires support to fulfill God’s beautiful plan for his life. Ultimately, making God’s name great is a fundamental part of humanity's purpose. As stated in Ezekiel 38:23, “And I will make my name great and make myself holy, and I will make myself clear to a number of nations; and they will be certain that I am the Lord.” In Genesis 1:26-28, God grants mankind the highest authority to carry out this important task: “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it, that is rule over all of creation.” Adam cannot achieve this on his own; he genuinely needs a helper by his side.
The HCSB adds a beautiful layer to the word “helper” by introducing the term “compliment.” This wonderful choice helps readers understand that Eve was a fitting helper, truly equal to her husband in value and not just a servant to his wishes. The concept of complementing is all about filling, completing, or perfecting what may be lacking. Eve was wonderfully designed to complement Adam because he had a gap to fill. By himself and with the animals, he couldn’t fully honor God’s name across the earth. He needed Eve to make him whole. Jerry Maguire’s take on this idea rings true when he tells Dorothy Boyd, “You complete me.”
Andreas J. Kostenberger, in his insightful book God, Marriage, and Family, beautifully illustrates how Eve complements Adam. He provides us with six compelling pieces of evidence to ponder. First, in Genesis 1-2, we see that the woman, just like the man, is created by God in His likeness. She isn’t comparable to animals or any other creatures—she is uniquely made in God’s image, just like Adam. Second, the man and the woman share the wonderful responsibility of subduing the earth, as mentioned in Genesis 1:26-29. Both are essential in fulfilling this important task; they truly complement each other! Third, the woman is placed alongside the man as his suitable helper, emphasizing her important role, not as a servant or a slave. Fourth, the fact that the woman is created from man’s rib suggests that she holds a special place close to his heart. Adam’s love for her is profound, elevating her above all of creation, right beneath his love for God. No other being receives such love from Adam. Fifth, when Adam names her “mother of all living,” it not only highlights her significance but also identifies her as his counterpart. Through Adam, all face death, yet through Eve, the Messiah will eventually come and bring the promise of eternal life. Finally, the profound unity of husband and wife beautifully underscores their closeness and intimacy. There is a unique bond between Adam and Eve that is unlike any other in creation. This intimacy is profoundly special as it transcends her role as a wife and embraces motherhood, reflecting that the man and woman must deeply connect for new life to emerge.
All of this amounts to one thing. God designed women to be wives and mothers; he values them as such, and so should we. It is a great and high calling to be a woman, to desire to be a wife, and to desire to be a mother. Some of you are there, and some are long to be there. For those living out their calling as a wife and a mother, God is pleased with that calling and commends you to continue faithfully. For those who have a desire to be a wife or a mother, those are good desires. God is pleased with those desires. Give them to him and let him, in his time and his wisdom, deal with them appropriately.
All of you are a mothers by birth or by bond. God has given the women our church the right and responsibility to speak into the lives of our children, whether they have children or not. So, today we honor motherhood in the church, community, and home. This is good because God made sure mothers are to be honored by your children so much so, he commands it in the Ten Words he gave to Moses.
“12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12
“12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12
Honoring your father and mother is the fifth commandment of God’s Ten Commandments. It is a vital part of his Law. The Ten Commadments express how God wants you to first love Him, and then how you are to love your neighbor. To show how important family is to his heart, he places honoring your father and mother as the hinge verse between loving God and loving neighbor. To love your neighbor well, you must love God first. Love for God fills your heart and overflows into your neighbor. In this context, love for God is expressed in loving the two people He has placed as a model of his love and authority in your life, your parents.
As look at the fifth commandment, the little conjunction “and” ties both the father’s instruction and the mother’s teaching as one equal unit. Some translations, like the Common English Version, try to convey this idea when they translate the text, “obey your parent’s instruction.” Both the mother and the father are put on an equal plain in rearing the children. This may seem odd to someone who thinks that the Bible is only about patriarchy. What separates Hebrew theology from other middle eastern religions is the significance it puts on mothers.
For example, notice how God highlights mothers in Lev 19:3.
“3 Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:3
“3 Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:3
Mothers are mentioned first. She is also to be revered as much as the father is revered. meaning she is to be given equal respect as the father. The same idea is given in the fifth commandment; honor your father and mother. There are a couple of points I want to make about the fifth commandment regarding mothers.
Honoring your mother is commanded.
Honoring your mother is commanded.
Exodus 20:12 “12 “Honor your father and your mother…”
The Hebrew word honor (Kevat) literally means “to weigh heavy upon,” or “to make heavy,” or to “give weight to someone or something.” It is a word used to described the honor one is to give to God’s glory. Furthermore, it is an imperative. God is not suggesting you honor your mother. He is commanding you honor her. He commands it in part because he knows our sinful nature is prone to disrespect our parents.
The opposite of honor is to dishonor. The Bibel strictly forbids dishonoring your parents. Moses is clear in the book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy.
If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother, and his blood will be on his own head. (Lev. 20:9)
If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother, and his blood will be on his own head. (Lev. 20:9)
If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town.… Then all the men of his town shall stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid. (Deut. 21:18, 19, 21)
If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town.… Then all the men of his town shall stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid. (Deut. 21:18, 19, 21)
To honor your mother is to give her the due respect she deserves. In Exodus 20:12, God puts mothers on an equal plain of authority to be honored with the fathers. Therefore, God commands you to give her the weight of respect and honor as you would your father. Philip Ryken says,
Exodus—Saved for God's Glory Honor Your Father and Your Mother
If parents are weighty, then they should not be treated lightly.
Sons and daughters would do well to keep that in mind. There is a distinction between fathers and mothers. Children seem to find it easy to perk up and obey when dad lifts his voice, but have a bad habit of not taking mom seriously. If God made mothers as weighty as fathers, you should not treat them lightly. Paul quotes Exodus 20:12 when he instructs children to obey their parents in the Lord in Ephesians 6:1-3. He connects their obedience to the blessing of life.
“2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”” Ephesians 6:2–3
“2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”” Ephesians 6:2–3
Honoring your mother brings God’s favor and life. He is pleased with your obedience and remains in fellowship with you.
How can you honor your mother?
How can you honor your mother?
You can honor your mother by listening to her teaching.
You can honor your mother by listening to her teaching.
Solomon instructs his sons to listen to their mother.
“20 My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. 21 Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. 22 When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.” Proverbs 6:20–22
What is her teaching? The word “teaching” translates the Hebrew word “torah,” which often refers to the law of Moses, but in this context the term has the general sense of training or instruction. She complement the task of teaching the children the Torah. A godly mother teaches her children to fear the Lord.
What is the fear of the Lord? Proverbs 1:7 says, the “fear of the Lord” is the beginning of wisdom. There are two kinds of women in the book of Proverbs; the Shady Lady who appeals to fools and the Wise Lady who is to be heard. Both women are seductive. The Shady lady seduces you to death, but the Wise woman to life. Mothers are to model lady wisdom for their sons and daughters, teaching them that true beauty in this world is God’s wisdom on display in the life of mothers and fathers, sons and daughters. What marks wisdom’s beauty? Her beauty is her knowledge of God (2:5 & 9:10), she rejects evil (3:7), she gives life (10:27), she gives confidence and refuge in a wicked world (14:26), she brings contentment (15:16), she provides safety (19:23), she loves humility and dwells in blessing (22:4), she walks in hope (23:17), she keeps your steps from destruction (24:21), and she brings praise from others (31:30). John Wesley captures the essence of fruit of a Godly mother who teaches where children well.
Honoring your mother is what she deserves.
Honoring your mother is what she deserves.
Exodus 20:12 “12 “Honor your father and your mother….”
To honor your mother is to also “prize her highly.” Listening to your mother’s Godly wisdom is not just about hearing her words. It is about valuing her to such a degree that you are compelled to obeying her with a happy heart. As God’s appointed authority in your life, you are to obey her with the same respect and dignity as Christ obeys his Father- with single minded, heart united loyal love. It is obedience that comes not so much out of duty, but out of love. Jesus says, “if you love me you will obey me.” The same idea lives inside the fifth commandment.
In John 14:15, Jesus emphasizes that love for Him is demonstrated through obedience. This profound truth is mirrored in our relationships. A husband who dearly loves his wife will respect her wishes and comfort her. This isn't mere duty; it's the expression of true love. Children who love their mother will listen to her teaching and obey her wishes as an expression of love, the way Christ did with His Father. When we consider Christ's command, we see that our obedience stems from a heart filled with love for Him, much like how we prioritize our loved ones' desires.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, had a profound respect for his mother, Susanna Wesley. Despite the many challenges of raising 19 children, Susanna dedicated her life to teaching her children spiritual values. She held 'divine services' in her home, ensuring that each child learned the importance of faith, prayer, and respect for others. Wesley attributed much of his faith and success to the lessons learned from her, illustrating the imperative to honor our mothers as vessels of wisdom and faith.
I learned more about Christianity from my mother than from all the theologians of England.
John Wesley (Founder of the Methodist Movement)
I might add, John Wesley’s life is the fruit of a son who honored his mother by listening to her.
The fruit of honoring your mother is life.
The fruit of honoring your mother is life.
Exodus 20:12 “12 “…that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
God associated obedience to your parents with obedience to Him. Fathers and mothers are the God-given authority in your life. If you are going to have abundant life now, enjoying God’s favor and blessing, it is connected to your obedience to your parents. If children are allowed to dishonor their parents, the land will grow corrupt, and it will lead to idolatry and forsaking God’s torah. As we’ve already seen, God is so serious about this that he confers the death penalty on children to dishonor their parents in the Promise Land.
Honor your mother
Honor your mother
Today, we gather together to celebrate the remarkable women who have touched our lives in so many profound ways – our beloved mothers. I want to extend that celebration to all mothers; future mothers and those who long to be mothers. Motherhood is a beautiful image of how God loves and nurtures his people.
God-honoring mothers are meant to be a beacon of faithfulness to God. Having unwavering devotion to their faith, they are a guiding light for their families, providing them with a strong foundation and a sense of purpose. Their daily prayers and steadfast belief in God's sovereign goodness inspire, not just her children but all children, who are in her care, to trust in God’s wisdom and grace, especially when we do not seem to see it.
A God-honoring mother’s discipline is unparalleled. Whether she ensures her children have completed their homework, nurtures their talents, or instills the importance of hard work, she is always the epitome of dedication. Her tireless efforts and commitment to excellence shape her children into the young men and women God wants them to become one day.
God-honoring mothers possess a rare and profound biblical wisdom. Her insights and guidance are invaluable, providing clarity in moments of confusion and comfort in times of distress. Her ability to see the bigger picture and her thoughtful advice are a source of strength for her family.
The sacrifices she makes for her family are countless. From late nights caring for them when they sick to putting their needs above her own, her selflessness knows no bounds. Her love is a constant reminder of the beauty of giving and the true essence of motherhood.
A God-honoring mother's commitment to her family is unwavering. She is the glue that holds her family together, the one we turn to in times of joy and sorrow. Her presence is a testament to the power of love and the strength of God’s intention in familial bonds.
Lastly, let us not forget a mother’s humor is a gift that brings light to our lives. Her laughter is infectious; her jokes are always perfectly timed, even when they are not, or even misunderstood, and her ability to find joy in the simplest moments is a treasure. She reminds us that, even in tough times, there is always room for a smile and a good laugh.So, on this Mother's Day, let us honor the women in our lives who are, either by birth or by bond, our mothers for their faithfulness, discipline, wisdom, sacrifice, commitment, and humor.
