Tom Hamilton 5-12-18
A story would have made a great news story
years ago. A case in the days of Solomon where a baby died in the night
and a woman took another woman’s baby claiming it to be hers.
Imagine
the picture of Solomon surrounded by guards doing his every bidding
including executing immediately in front of Solomon. So when he said to
cut the baby in two you can see a guard would have had his sword pulled.
And Solomon knew the love of a mother when offered to give the baby to
the other woman. He knew she was the true mother.
Honoring your parents is important. Before not to murder.
““Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.”
Exodus 20:12 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/exo.20.12.nkjv
““And he who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.”
Exodus 21:15 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/exo.21.15.nkjv
““And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.”
Exodus 21:17 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/exo.21.17.nkjv
It might be easier to be mad at your father. They are usually the disciplinarian. Mothers are usually more nurturing.
The
Bible tells us one of the important thing for teaching them is the
parents teaching them to do things the right way. Sometimes it comes at a
price. Kids have to learn from experience. Even though you teach them
they still end up doing things they shouldn’t.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 1:7 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/pro.1.7.nkjv
“Who
can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart
of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. She
does him good and not evil All the days of her life. She seeks wool and
flax, And willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant
ships, She brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet
night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her
maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she
plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her
arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not
go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her
hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she
reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her
household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes
tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband
is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. She
makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the
merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in
time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the
law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, And does
not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her
blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done
well, But you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is
passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her
of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the
gates.”
Proverbs 31:10-31 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/pro.31.10-31.nkjv
“Now
Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I
have acquired a man from the LORD.” Then she bore again, this time his
brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of
the ground. And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought
an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought
of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected
Abel and his offering,”
Genesis 4:1-4 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.4.1-4.nkjv
Stop
and think right here. Their parents taught their children of God. Cain
started out on the right path but at some point the children have to
make their own way. It’s not like Cain didn’t know.
“So the LORD
said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?
If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin
lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over
it.” Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when
they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and
killed him.”
Genesis 4:6-8 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.4.6-8.nkjv
“And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.”
Genesis 5:3 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.5.3.nkjv
If Adam is 130 years old that would mean Eve is 130 years old and her she is having another child.
“And
Haran died before his father Terah in his native land, in Ur of the
Chaldeans. Then Abram and Nahor took wives: the name of Abram’s wife was
Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran the
father of Milcah and the father of Iscah.”
Genesis 11:28-29 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.11.28-29.nkjv
Abrams name was change and so was Sarai
“Then
God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her
name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. And I will bless her and also
give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother
of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.””
Genesis 17:15-16 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.17.15-16.nkjv
Here Abraham’s laughed at hearing Sarah would have a child at 90 and yet Eve was having children at 130
“Then
Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a
child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah,
who is ninety years old, bear a child? ””
Genesis 17:17 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.17.17.nkjv
“Then
they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” So he said, “Here, in the
tent.” And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the
time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” (Sarah was
listening in the tent door which was behind him.) Now Abraham and Sarah
were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of
childbearing. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I
have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” And the
LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear
a child, since I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the
appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and
Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,”
for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh!””
Genesis 18:9-15 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.18.9-15.nkjv
“For
Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time
of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son
who was born to him—whom Sarah bore to him— Isaac. Then Abraham
circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had
commanded him. Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac
was born to him. And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who
hear will laugh with me.” She also said, “Who would have said to Abraham
that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old
age.””
Genesis 21:2-7 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.21.2-7.nkjv
See how it says Sarah born. Because Abraham had another son with Hagar.
“And
Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham,
scoffing. Therefore she said to Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and
her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son,
namely with Isaac.” And the matter was very displeasing in Abraham’s
sight because of his son. But God said to Abraham, “Do not let it be
displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your
bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in
Isaac your seed shall be called. Yet I will also make a nation of the
son of the bondwoman, because he is your seed.” So Abraham rose early in
the morning, and took bread and a skin of water; and putting it on her
shoulder, he gave it and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away. Then she
departed and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba.”
Genesis 21:9-14 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.21.9-14.nkjv
You can remember here that they almost died and God saved them.
Here
we see a woman who taught her son. When you read about Isaac you can
see he doesn’t have many faults and you know his parents taught him of
God.
“Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the
mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the
son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. And he
had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other
Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. This man
went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of
hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the
priests of the LORD, were there. And whenever the time came for Elkanah
to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to
all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he would give a double
portion, for he loved Hannah, although the LORD had closed her womb. And
her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because
the LORD had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up
to the house of the LORD, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and
did not eat.”
I Samuel 1:1-7 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1sa.1.1-7.nkjv
“Then
Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you
not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten
sons?” So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in
Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of
the tabernacle of the LORD.”
I Samuel 1:8-9 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1sa.1.8-9.nkjv
Interesting how her answers were not recorded. Or did she even answer.
“And
she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in
anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will
indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and
not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male
child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no
razor shall come upon his head.” And it happened, as she continued
praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in
her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore
Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you be
drunk? Put your wine away from you!” But Hannah answered and said, “No,
my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor
intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. “Do
not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance
of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” Then Eli answered
and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which
you have asked of Him.” And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor
in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no
longer sad.”
I Samuel 1:10-18 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1sa.1.10-18.nkjv
“So
it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a
son, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him
from the LORD.” Now the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer
to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and his vow. But Hannah did not go up,
for she said to her husband, “ Not until the child is weaned; then I
will take him, that he may appear before the LORD and remain there
forever.” So Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to
you; wait until you have weaned him. Only let the LORD establish His
word.” Then the woman stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned
him. Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three
bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the
house of the LORD in Shiloh. And the child was young. Then they
slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, “O my
lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here,
praying to the LORD. For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted
me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to
the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they
worshiped the LORD there.”
I Samuel 1:20-28 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1sa.1.20-28.nkjv
What is the age for being weaned. Is it 2 years. Or up the 5 years. He could get up and walk.
Samuel lived up to his name
“Then Elkanah went to his house at Ramah. But the child ministered to the LORD before Eli the priest.”
I Samuel 2:11 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1sa.2.11.nkjv
“Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the LORD.”
I Samuel 2:12 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1sa.2.12.nkjv
They were raised up right but became corrupt.
“But
Samuel ministered before the LORD, even as a child, wearing a linen
ephod. Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it
to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the
yearly sacrifice. And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say,
“The LORD give you descendants from this woman for the loan that was
given to the LORD.” Then they would go to their own home. And the LORD
visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two
daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the LORD.”
I Samuel 2:18-21 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1sa.2.18-21.nkjv
“Now
the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the
LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. And it
came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and
when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, and before
the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of
God was, and while Samuel was lying down, that the LORD called Samuel.
And he answered, “Here I am!” So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for
you called me.” And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he
went and lay down. Then the LORD called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel
arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” He
answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” (Now Samuel did not
yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.)
And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to
Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Eli perceived
that the LORD had called the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie
down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak,
LORD, for Your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his
place. Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times,
“Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”
Then the LORD said to Samuel: “Behold, I will do something in Israel at
which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. In that day I will
perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from
beginning to end. For I have told him that I will judge his house
forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made
themselves vile, and he did not restrain them. And therefore I have
sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be
atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” So Samuel lay down until
morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was
afraid to tell Eli the vision. Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel,
my son!” He answered, “Here I am.” And he said, “What is the word that
the LORD spoke to you? Please do not hide it from me. God do so to you,
and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the things that He
said to you.” Then Samuel told him everything, and hid nothing from him.
And he said, “It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him.” So
Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to
the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had
been established as a prophet of the LORD. Then the LORD appeared again
in Shiloh. For the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word
of the LORD.”
I Samuel 3:1-21 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1sa.3.1-21.nkjv
“Now
there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister,
Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw
His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His
mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold
your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own
home.”
John 19:25-27 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/jhn.19.25-27.nkjv
Even near death Jesus thought of his mother
“but
the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is
written: “Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children Than
she who has a husband.””
Galatians 4:26-27 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gal.4.26-27.nkjv
“But
now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I
profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by
prophesying, or by teaching? Even things without life, whether flute or
harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the
sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? For if the trumpet
makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? So likewise you,
unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be
known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. There are,
it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is
without significance. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the
language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks
will be a foreigner to me. Even so you, since you are zealous for
spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you
seek to excel. Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may
interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my
understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray
with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will
sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the
place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he
does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but
the other is not edified. I thank my God I speak with tongues more than
you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my
understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a
tongue.”
I Corinthians 14:6-19 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1co.14.6-19.nkjv
Just like children Paul had to guide and teach the church.
Being a mother is a special thing. The mother tried to put their children in the right path and hope they stay on it.
When Christ returns there are going to be a lot of people that need nurturing and help.
Christ emphasized motherhood. Even as he was dying he thought of her
Mother’s Day is coming up. Hug you mom. And children the best gift you can give is to obey your parent.