MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS

                     THE ROLE OF WOMEN 

The Grandmother, Morteza Katouzian, 1986 

The status of mothers and motherhood has been so down-graded in the modern world that it is hard to appreciate the honor given to biblical women who gave birth to children and raised a family. But such was the case in the ancient world, at least in the part of the world where Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth.

Women's greatest achievement was to give birth, preferably to a boy. Their second achievement was to raise a child

• who believed and trusted in God,
• who respected tradition, and
• who lived a good life.

Other expectations of a woman are given in the Book of Proverb's description of the 'Woman of Worth', see below.

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If you are a wife and mother, check the items off against your own life. You'll probably find you measure up quite well!

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Book of Proverbs 30:10-31

10  When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.
11  Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.
12  She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13  She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands.
14  Like merchant ships, she secures her provisions from afar.
15  She rises while it is still night, and distributes food to her household.
16  She chooses a field to purchase; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17  She is girt about with strength, and sturdy are her arms.
18  She enjoys the success of her dealings; at night her lamp is undimmed.
19  She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle.
20  She reaches her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy.
21  She fears not the snow for her family; all her charges are doubly clothed.
22  She makes her own coverlets; fine linen and purple are her clothing.
23  Her husband is prominent; he sits with the elders of the land.
24  She makes garments and sells them, and stocks the merchants with belts.
25  She is clothed with strength and dignity, and laughs at the days to come.
26  She opens her mouth in wisdom, and on her tongue is kindly counsel.
27  She watches the conduct of her family, and eats not her food in idleness.
28  Her children rise up and praise her; her husband, too, extols her:
29  "Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all."
30  Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; she who fears the Lord is praised.
31  Give her a reward of her labors, and praise her at the city gates.