4 Stories About Mothers in the Bible: What A Mother’s Love Can Teach Us

Mary, the mother of Jesus, is probably the most famous mom in the Bible! You can read different accounts through the Gospels of how an angel appeared to her and told her she would conceive a child, though she was a virgin. Mary takes a huge step of faith and trusts God’s will for her to do this: “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’” 

But obeying God’s will in this did not come without a sacrifice. At the time, it would have been scandalous, shameful, and reputation-ruining to have a child before marriage. We know that her betrothed, Joseph, even considered leaving her because of it before an angel appeared to him and told him she had conceived by the Holy Spirit (see Matthew 1:19-21).

Mary and Joseph must have faced ridicule and embarrassment, but they held firm to God’s plan to have and raise Jesus as their child. Mary’s powerful sacrifice shows us the depth of her love for God and her own child. 

Jochebed was Moses and Aaron's mom (see Exodus 6:20). After Moses was born, “she saw that he was a special baby and kept him hidden for three months” (Exodus 2:2). At that time, the Pharaoh had called for the death of all Hebrew boys and, in hiding Moses, she put herself at great risk. Her love for Moses moved her to great lengths to protect him. 

And because Jochebed risked herself to protect him, Moses grew up to do great things for God. Moses became an instrumental person in God’s plan to deliver the Hebrews out of Egypt. You can read more about Moses’ story (or we should really say, Moses’ role in God’s story!) in the book of Exodus. 

The Apostle Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament scriptures, was a key figure in the early Christian church. At one point, he commends his mentee Timothy for his faith, but goes a step further by also commending his mother and grandmother, Eunice and Lois: “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.” (2 Timothy 1:5)

The love of Timothy’s mother and grandmother created a strong lineage of faith. They passed down their wisdom to Timothy who could then pass it on to his children and others he mentors. 

So, to all the moms and mother figures reading this, know that your love for God and for your children matters. You are leaving a lineage of faith by entrusting your children to the Lord! It’s a lineage over the generations, just like the lineage of Timothy’s mother and grandmother. 

Hannah’s story is told in 1 Samuel 1-2, where we learn that she desperately wants to have children, despite being barren. She cries out to God earnestly and honestly: 

“In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, ‘Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.’” (1 Samuel 1:10-11)

A few verses later, we read that Hannah became pregnant and named her son “Samuel,” which means, “Because I asked the Lord for Him.” (See 1 Samuel 1:20.) True to her word, Hannah then dedicates Samuel to the Lord and gives him to the care of priest Eli (see 1 Samuel 1:25-28).

Think about this for a moment. Hannah was a woman who longed for a child and experienced years of heartbreaking infertility. She cries out to the Lord and chooses to trust Him. When her som is born, she continues to trust God with His life. What a love! What trust!  

These beautiful stories of mothers in the Bible show us how powerful love is between a parent and child. But they point to something even greater—God’s love for us. 

Remember: “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). 

All love points to God. And we know that God’s love for us is so great that He sent His son Jesus to die for us, so we can live with Him forever (see John 3:16). 

We have lots of resources about Jesus, God, The Bible, and Christianity for you to explore. And if you ever want to reach out to ask a question or receive prayer, you can contact us at any time. We’d love to walk this journey together.