(This is a continuation of Pt 1, Mother’s Day Devotional)
The Bible includes stories of many mothers, some of whom made deeply flawed choices and experienced spiritual growth in their personal lives. While the text emphasizes redemption, if we read further into the text, we will witness the struggles, of “real women” during a time, much different from our world and culture today. Many of of the women portrayed in the bible show us even when mistakes were made, faith and grace shaped a different outcome.
Also we read about women who were toxic to their families and societies. Good, was not the focus of their decisions.
In comparison, in the bible redemptive mothers and toxic mothers were polar opposites. They both made choices as mothers, whether for the good or the bad in their families and societies.
As women we continue to be required to make choices for our families and societies. The question is- Which one will we choose?
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life so you and your children may live. (Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV)
Redemption and Mothers
1. Sarah (Genesis 16–21)
Role: Wife of Abraham, mother of Isaac.
Complexity: Sarah laughed in disbelief at God’s promise of a child in old age. She also gave her servant Hagar to Abraham to bear a child (Ishmael), then later treated Hagar harshly.
Redemption: Despite her doubt and actions, Sarah is remembered in Hebrews 11 as a woman of faith who gave birth miraculously to Isaac, the child of promise.
2. Hagar (Genesis 16, 21)
Role: Egyptian slave of Sarah, mother of Ishmael.
Complexity: She was mistreated and cast out twice by Sarah.
Redemption: God appeared to her in the wilderness, calling her by name—a rare honor—and promised to make her son a great nation. Hagar is the only person in the Bible who gives God a name: El Roi ("the God who sees me").
3. Leah (Genesis 29–30)
Role: First wife of Jacob, mother of six of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Complexity: Married through deceit by her father and unloved by Jacob, she lived in rivalry with her sister Rachel.
Redemption: Despite the pain of rejection, Leah is honored as the mother of Judah, the tribe from which King David and Jesus descended.
4. Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 1)
Role: Wife of David, mother of Solomon.
Complexity: Her relationship with David began through adultery, and she lost her first child due to the sin.
Redemption: Bathsheba later becomes an influential queen mother and is part of Jesus' genealogy in Matthew 1.
5. The Canaanite Woman (Matthew 15:21–28)
Role: An unnamed Gentile mother.
Complexity: She’s a foreigner asking Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter.
Redemption: Despite initial rejection, she shows remarkable faith, and Jesus praises her, granting her request—showing how determined, faith-filled motherhood transcends cultural boundaries.
6. Mary, Mother of Jesus (Luke 1–2, John 19)
Role: The ultimate example of faithful motherhood.
Complexity: Young, unmarried, and at risk of shame, Mary accepted the role of mother to the Messiah. She also had to watch Him suffer and die.
Redemption: Mary is honored throughout Scripture for her obedience, and she remained devoted to Jesus even at the cross.
Toxic Mothers
Jezebel (1 Kings 16–21)
Role: Queen, wife of King Ahab, and mother of Ahaziah and Jehoram.
Why she's seen as a bad mother: Jezebel is one of the most notorious figures in the Bible. She promoted idol worship (Baal), persecuted prophets of Yahweh, and plotted Naboth’s murder. Her children followed in her idolatrous footsteps, suggesting a legacy of corruption.
2. Herodias (Mark 6:17–29)
Role: Mother of Salome (not named in the Bible but identified through historical sources).
Why she's seen as a bad mother: Herodias influenced her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter, using her for political revenge against a holy man who had condemned her unlawful marriage.
3. Rebekah (Genesis 27)
Role: Wife of Isaac, mother of Jacob and Esau.
Why she’s criticized: Rebekah orchestrated a deceitful plan to trick her blind husband, Isaac, into giving the blessing meant for Esau to Jacob. Her favoritism and deception led to family division and long-lasting consequences.
4. Athaliah (2 Kings 11; 2 Chronicles 22–23)
Role: Mother of King Ahaziah.
Why she's seen as a bad mother: After her son's death, Athaliah killed nearly all the royal heirs (her own grandchildren) to seize the throne of Judah. She ruled as queen and led the nation further into idol worship.
5. Lot’s Daughters (Genesis 19:30–38)
Role: Mothers of Moab and Ammon.
Why they're controversial: After fleeing Sodom, Lot’s daughters got their father drunk and committed incest with him to preserve their family line. Though motivated by desperation, the act is disturbing and raises moral and ethical concerns.
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