THE ROLE OF GODLY OLDER WOMEN

“The older women likewise…that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children” (Titus 2:3-4 NKJV).

Young women were almost always wives, because Jewish and Greco-Roman society generally frowned upon women’s singleness. Thus, it was customary for older women, especially mothers, to instruct their daughters in the ways of life (cf. Jer.  9:20). In Roman society, the mother’s chief duty to her daughter was to help her acquire the appropriate education (especially to be a good mother) and a good husband.

The godly older women had the responsibility of teaching the younger women how to be successful wives, mothers, and housekeepers; and the younger women had the responsibility of listening and obeying. The Christian home was a totally new thing, and young women saved out of paganism would have had to get accustomed to a whole new set of priorities and privileges. Further, those who had unsaved husbands would need special encouragement.

The Christian young woman must be trained to love her husband and to love her children.

“To love their husbands” - In Eph. 5:25, the apostle Paul directs husbands to love their wives, and in Eph. 5:33, he directs wives to respect their husbands. Here, he says that it should be one of the first duties required of the wife that she should love her husband. All happiness in the marriage relation is based on mutual love. When love departs, happiness departs. No amount wealth, glamourous dwelling, or other earthly possessions can compensate for the want of affection.

“To love their children” – Few things are more natural for a mother than loving her children. However, a young mother must move beyond her natural innate affection to a specific lifestyle and plan of action that will cultivate in her children godly character and affection. In Prov. 29:15, we read, “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.” So, the most important way a mother can love her children is to love them to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. This means that in word and deed, she will gently and with sensitivity put before them the love of God and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Her greatest joy and most awesome heritage are godly children devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ and His plan and purpose for their lives.

(Adapted from Bible Exposition Commentary - New Testament, Vol. 2)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“A godly woman trusts the Lord with her plans and allows Him to direct her steps!”

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Word Study

Firstfruits

In Jam. 1:18 we read, “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (NKJV).

“Firstfruits” is the Greek word aparchḗ (ἀπαρχή = ap-ar-khay'). It is made up of two words: “apó” which means away from, and “árchomai” to begin. “Firstfruits” is an Old Testament term that was used to describe the first portion of an offering (grain or animal) or the firstborn male (cf. Ex 13:12-15; Num. 18:15-16), all of which were to be set aside, considered holy, and as specifically belonging to the Lord. The first portion of the harvest was regarded both as a first installment and as a pledge of the final delivery of the whole and were offered to God in thanksgiving for His goodness in providing them. In context, the apostle James is using “firstfruits” to describe new converts, those who have been born again, regenerated by the Spirit, born from above by the Father of lights.

Did You Know…

Scripture often portrays a mother’s love as deep, selfless, and nurturing. Isa. 66:13 compares God’s comfort to a mother’s care: “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.” This highlights the spiritual and emotional significance of maternal care, showing that mothers reflect God’s empathy and compassion.

Bible Quiz

Ruth gave birth to a son who would be the grandfather of David. What was his name?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz

After offering a sacrifice on the evening of the first day of the Passover Celebration what were the Israelites commanded to do with the meat? Eat it all that night leaving nothing overnight (Deut. 16:4).

Prophecies Fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ

Resurrection results in fellowship and praise (Psalm 22:22; cf. John 20:17)

"I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You!” (Psalm 22:22 NJKV).

While not specifically speaking of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, several factors indicate that the resurrection took place. First, at the end of verse 21, we read “You have answered Me,” speaking of a note of confidence. Then in verse 22, Messiah says, “I will declare Your name to My brethren.” The Lord Jesus never called the disciples His brothers before the resurrection. But immediately after the resurrection, He told Mary Magdalene, “Go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God” (John 20:17; cf. Heb. 2:11‑12). Thirdly, the results described in verses 22-23, i.e., fellowship, and praise are things that resulted from Christ’s resurrection. If the Lord Jesus was not resurrected, there would be no reason for fellowship and praise. But Hallelujah! He is risen! We can praise Him!

Did You Know – Christian History

Anskar was born around 801 near Amiens, France. He was a missionary of medieval Europe, the first archbishop of Hamburg, and known as the “Apostle of the North.”

Anskar was the son of a noble Frankish family. After his mother’s early death, Anskar became a Benedictine monk, and dedicated himself to living a holy life. Denmark’s King Harold had been exiled by his people. During his exile, he converted to Christianity and was baptized. Now he was going home and asked Anskar to come with him. In that way, Anskar began his missionary work in Scandinavia. His task was not easy, and he saw many setbacks in his lifetime. Part of the problem was that the Vikings prided themselves on oath-breaking and revenge. Imagine trying to convince them that truth and forgiveness were virtues! Anskar’s approach was to establish a school at Schleswig with the help of another monk, Autbert. This proved successful. However, King Harold the people so hard to become Christians that they threw him out of the country again. Anskar and Autbert had to leave, too. However, King Bjorn of Sweden heard of the success of Anskar’s school and invited the monk to Sweden. On the way, they were attacked and robbed, but Anskar would not be deterred and pressed on to Sweden, where he converted Herigar, the chief royal counselor, who then built Sweden’s first church in 832. A year and a half later, Anskar left Sweden. The pope had appointed him bishop, and later Archbishop of Hamburg. He also opened a school there.

In 845, King Eric of Jutland (northern Denmark) attacked Hamburg, destroying the city. Anskar became a fugitive. But rather than moan over all that he had lost, including his library, he said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!” Even when Charles the Bald, King of the Franks, took away his abbey school, the gallant evangelist would not give up. He went to Jutland, won Eric’s friendship, convinced the king to treat slaves more kindly and got permission to start a church. That’s when he introduced the bells. Anskar himself never ate, unless some poor person could be brought in to share the meal with him. While he worked, he could be heard chanting psalms. He built hospitals, gave alms freely and ransomed captives. Many sick sought him out, convinced that he could heal them. He took no credit for any success, laying it to the account of others. Anskar died on February 3, 865, after spending the night before in prayer for his mission. Unfortunately, his death brought the worst setback of all. The faith he had labored so hard to spread had evidently not been firmly grounded; Christianity virtually disappeared from Scandinavia. Those who came after him had to rebuild almost from scratch. Anskar is remembered for his humility, care for the poor, and efforts to redeem captives. His legacy is not measured mainly by numbers but by faithfulness: a shepherd who kept returning, kept praying, kept preaching, and kept loving, convinced that the light of Christ would not be overcome in the North.

A Little Humor

My mother taught me LOGIC – “Because I said so, that’s why.”

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