This Mother’s Day, we’re honouring mums in the Bible who exemplified the fruits of the spirit and displayed godly character in their lives.

These are ladies who were bold, courageous and faithful in their walks with the Lord even when they were faced with trials and tribulations. May we learn from their virtues and walk with God just like they did!

Hagar

Hagar’s story is seen in Genesis 16. Sarah and Abraham were frustrated with their inability to conceive despite God’s covenant with them, which led to Sarah giving Hagar, her handmaiden, to Abraham to bear a child on her behalf.

However, after Hagar successfully conceived, Sarah became resentful and began to despise Hagar and treat her poorly. As a result of Sarah’s ill-treatment, Hagar had to flee from her.

Hagar was dealt a difficult hand. She couldn’t refuse Sarah’s request as a slave, nor could she control the fact that she would conceive. She even had to face humiliation and oppression for obeying Sarah’s request.

On the run, the angel of the Lord appeared to Hagar and told her to turn right back and submit herself to Sarah, while also giving her a promise about her future descendants. 

Hagar obediently chose to trust in God’s promise, recognising that He had seen her. 

In bleak situations where we’ve been wronged, it can be hard to even listen to God – let alone humbly obey Him and submit yourself to the person who has mistreated you. 

And so, Hagar’s humility and trust in God are to be admired here. Praise God that He sees the mistreated and is faithful to them!

Jochebed

Jochebed was the mother of Miriam, Aaron and Moses.

Because the Israelites grew greatly in number and prosperity, the king of Egypt tried to subjugate them by oppressing them and ordering the death of all their male babies.

Despite this cruel command that had been issued, Jochebed was among one of the midwives who feared God rather than the king. She hid Moses for three months, choosing not to obey the king’s decree.

It was not just parental instinct that prompted Jochebed to hide Moses. Hebrews 11:23 tells us that Jochebed and Amran’s decision to hide Moses was “by faith” and because “they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict”. 

Jochebed was also strategic in how she obeyed the King’s commands.

In Exodus 2:3, Jochebed “got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch”. The papyrus basket used here is only mentioned one other time in the Bible through Noah’s ark, which suggests that she used a strong and waterproof material, giving Moses the best chance of survival. 

Although Moses was surely very precious to her, Jochebed still trusted God with Moses’ wellbeing and future and let go of him, allowing God to provide for and take care of him instead. I aspire to have such complete surrender and trust in the Lord too!

Mary

Arguably the most famous mother in the Bible, Mary definitely did not have an easy life.

I can only imagine how frightened she must’ve been when the angel Gabriel appeared in front of her.

Think of the courage she needed to muster to tell Joseph about her immaculate pregnancy… and the sorrow she must’ve undergone when she watched her son be crucified.

That’s a life of unimaginable pressure.

Yet, Mary did not crumble and remained firm in her faith in God.

She allowed God to use her for His glory, recognising that she was a “servant of the Lord” (Luke 1:38) and accepting what was promised over her instead of questioning and debating with God. 

In the face of challenges, Mary responded with a declaration of faith: “May Your word to me be fulfilled.”

When God challenges us, it can be easy to question His plans and doubt His ability to use us, just like Moses did in Exodus 3-4. But Mary stepped up with bold faith and confidence in the Lord.

Hannah

Hannah had to be patient in her infertility – especially amidst being ridiculed and provoked by Peninnah, her husband Elkanah’s second wife, for her barrenness (1 Samuel 1).

But even though she was in “bitterness of soul”, Hannah continually took her anguish and afflictions to the Lord in prayer, promising that if He gave her a son, her son’s life would be the work of the Lord (1 Samuel 1:8-11).

While not all of us can relate to the heartbreak of infertility, I’m sure many of us have experienced being kicked when we’re down. 

It’s even more heartbreaking to be teased and ridiculed for our insecurities, and it requires a lot of grace to withhold retaliation as Hannah did with Peninnah, only pouring out our sadness to the Lord.

Hannah was patient for the Lord to work, continuously praying for God to bless her with a child. Thankfully, the Lord indeed “remembered” Hannah, and Hannah bore Samuel.

From Hannah, we can learn to respond with grace, gentleness and kindness to others even amidst our sorrow and to be patient in our prayers.

Just like how she continually prayed for a son with hope and faith that God would listen to her wishes, we can be patient in waiting for the Lord to meet our desires. 

Lois and Eunice

Yes, we’re honouring two mothers here – Lois and Eunice who were Timothy’s grandmother and mother respectively.

Paul mentions them in his second letter to Timothy, as seen in 2 Timothy 1:5: “I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.”

While their stories aren’t as dramatic as the other women we’ve mentioned and they weren’t the most notable mothers in the title, I thought it would still be worth it to shine some attention on them.

These lovely women were noted for their sincere love for the Lord and their nurturing of Timothy’s faith.

Though their stories weren’t “extraordinary” or “awesome”, Lois and Eunice still made a profound impact on Timothy in how they lived their everyday lives. 

Let’s face it, God may not use all of us in as big a way as He did with Mary and there probably won’t be a time where we’ll have to float our son down a river like Jochebed did for Moses. 

But that doesn’t mean our love for the Lord is any less genuine or meaningful! Instead, we can radiate Christ’s love and exemplify His goodness through our everyday actions.

Lois and Eunice’s sincerity in their faith allowed them to disciple and nurture Timothy in the faith. May we learn to leave legacies of faith like them!

There’s a lot to learn from mothers, whether they’re the ones in our lives or the ones in the Bible.

For me, I hope that I am able to exemplify Jesus’ character and love in the way that Lois and Eunice did – and in the way that my own mother does too.

To all mothers, Happy Mother’s Day! I thank God for your hearts and love for us.