Mother Part 3

May 16, 2019 by Cee Maria in Word for Wednesday

Genesis 37:10

This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?”

The context of this verse is Joseph telling his father he had a dream of the sun, moon, and stars bowing down to him. His father is outraged that this son of his would be so superior that he would have to bow down to him. And his older brothers? And his mother as well?

Let’s park right there for a moment. Joseph was seventeen years old when he has this dream. Rachel, his mother, died when he was approximately seven years old in Genesis 35 (1). It is very probable that Leah, his aunt, became his stepmother and raised him as her own. That would mean that both his mother in heaven, and his step mother on earth will bow to him some day. Unheard of! Absurd!

Leah was the despised wife and Rachel, her sister, was her husband's true love. Leah raised Rachel's and Jacob's sons, her husband’s favorite boys. Jacob did not love the sons she bore him as much as he loved Joseph and Benjamin.

Yet, Leah honored God, forgave her sister and her husband, and loved on her stepsons! Her life was the shining example of forgiveness that Joseph witnessed on a daily basis.

In fact, it appears that Leah had passed away before Joseph became second in command over Egypt. I am sure both of his mothers were proud of the man he had become. Because of Leah, Joseph was able to save his entire family. I would say that Leah had passed on the lesson of forgiveness to her son, Joseph, and he learned it well.

That is what mother means in this verse.

References:

1) http://jesusalive.cc/ques367.htm

Mother Part 2

May 09, 2019 by Cee Maria in Word for Wednesday

Genesis 17:16 NLT

And I will bless her and give you a son from her! Yes, I will bless her richly, and she will become the mother of many nations. Kings of nations will be among her descendants.

Let's look at the context of this verse. God is talking to Abraham about Sarah. He tells Abraham that in their old age, he will impregnate Sarah and she will give birth to their very own biological son. God is letting Abraham know that His blessing is on her life and on their descendants.

The phrase ‘mother of many nations’ actually refers to nations outside of what would become Israel (1) as well as direct descendants. She will be known as the mother of those who believe in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Even royalty will be a part of her lineage.

People of all statuses, even those of great power and influence, direct biological descendants, and people who believe and worship Jesus as the Son of God, will acknowledge, recognize, and honor her as ‘mother’.

And that is what mother means in this verse.

References:

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H1471&t=KJV

Mother Part 1

May 02, 2019 by Cee Maria in Word for Wednesday

Genesis 3:20 NLT

Then the man—Adam—named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all who live.

Mother here means biological mother, a female parent (1).

Did you realize that Eve’s first name was Adam?

Genesis 5:2 KJV

Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called ‘their’ name Adam, in the day when they were created.

Why do you suppose that is? It is because both men and women were created equal in God’s eyes. They were built differently and had different functions, but complemented each other perfectly. God named our first parents by their status. Adam named his wife by her function.

Mother in this verse refers to Eve, the original mother, the first who co-created with Adam and birthed humankind into existence.

References:

1) https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H517&t=KJV