“The Wisdom of Honoring Mothers” (Selections from Proverbs)

“The Wisdom of Honoring Mothers” (Selections from Proverbs)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, May 12, 2019 (Mother’s Day)

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” (Exod. 20:12 NIV)

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² "Honor your father and mother"-- which is the first commandment with a promise-- ³ "so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." (Eph. 6:1–3 NIV)

1. Value Your Mother’s Instruction.

a. Listen to your mother.

Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. (Prov. 1:8)

My son, keep your father's command and do not forsake your mother's teaching. (Prov. 6:20)

Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. (Prov. 23:22 NIV)

The sayings of King Lemuel-- an inspired utterance his mother taught him. Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! (Prov. 31:1–2 NIV)

b. Gain wisdom from your mother.

⁷ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. ⁸ Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. ⁹ They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. (Prov. 1:7–9 NIV)

2. Benefit from Your Mother’s Instruction.

a. It will help you know God better.

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, (Prov. 2:1 NIV)
then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. (Prov. 2:5 NIV)

b. It will guide and protect you.

²⁰ My son, keep your father's command and do not forsake your mother's teaching. ²¹ Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. ²² When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. (Prov. 6:20–22 NIV)

c. It will enhance the duration and quality of your life.

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. (Prov. 4:20 NIV)
for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body. (Prov. 4:22 NIV)

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. (Prov. 3:1–2 NIV)

3. Respect and Honor Your Mother.

a. Foolishness brings dishonor and grief to your mother.

A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. (Prov. 10:1 NIV)

A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. (Prov. 15:20 NIV)

A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him. (Prov. 17:25 NIV)

b. Disrespect is shameful.

Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings shame and disgrace. (Prov. 19:26 NIV)

Whoever robs their father or mother and says, "It's not wrong," is partner to one who destroys. (Prov. 28:24 NIV)

c. Disrespect leads to arrogance and rebellion.

¹¹ "There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers; ¹² those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; ¹³ those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful; ¹⁴ those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among mankind. (Prov. 30:11–14 NIV)

d. Disrespect brings the judgment of God.

If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness. (Prov. 20:20 NIV)

The eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures. (Prov. 30:17 NIV)

Main Idea: One of the clearest indications that someone is living in the fear of the Lord and seeking the wisdom of the Lord is that they honor their mother.