The Mother’s Role in a Family Legacy

Proverbs 31:
1. The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2. What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

Who is this king Lemuel and who is his queen mother? No one knows for sure but the majority of the speculation is that it is Solomon. Solomon did go by more than one name.

“And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him. And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.” (2 Samuel 12:24-25)

Jedidiah means “beloved of the Lord.” It is speculated that Lemuel, which means “for God,” was an endearing childhood nickname used by his mother, Bathsheba. If all this is true (and we don’t know) then several observations can be made. The first observation is that there can be forgiveness and restoration after adultery. Everyone knows the sinful circumstances surrounding Bathsheba becoming David’s wife. Yet she did become his wife and there was repentance and God blessed the union. The queen mother’s reference to her vow is, I think, a reference to her marriage vows and shows her commitment to them. Second, the fact that she calls her son Lemuel, whether it was Solomon or not, indicates that this mother was raising her son “for God.” This is all the more significant if it is Bathsheba and Solomon because it indicates that with repentance, faith towards God and a commitment to obey him, even relationships that began with the sin of adultery can be reclaimed for God to build a Family Legacy.

“ . . . But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” (Romans 5:20b)

However, those of you who think you can manipulate God through the use of perceived loopholes of grace, do not think, “I need a new wife. God will forgive me and we can have a new beginning.” God has this to say about those who say:

“. . . ‘Let us do evil, that good may come?’ whose damnation is just.” (Romans 3:8)

But even if this is not Solomon and Bathsheba the conclusion still holds. And we can also note how this text underscores the importance of mothers bringing up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It is not just the father’s task.

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)

Building a Family Legacy is a joint effort between husband and wife. They both are important. But what if the mother is alone in this task either as a single mother or due to a husband “missing in action?” There is still hope and we find the example of this faithfulness and hope in Timothy’s mother.

“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” (2 Tim 1:5)

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. “ (2 Tim 3:15-17)

This is what building a Family Legacy is all about – raising men (and women) of God, thoroughly furnished unto every good work.