A Mother’s Wisdom

It was almost like she could predict the future.

Genesis 30:1-24

Reference: Then she said, “Here is Bilhah, my servant. Sleep with her so that she can bear children for me and I too can build a family through her.” (‭Genesis‬ ‭30‬:‭3‬ NIV)

Explore: It always used to frustrate me that my mother was so wise. It was almost like she could predict the future.

If I was making the wrong choices, she would warn me about what would happen, and she’d always be right! As a child I was baffled at her smarts and intellect.

As an adult, I have a little more understanding of where my mother got her wisdom from… her own experience.

Don’t get me wrong, my mother is educated, insightful and intelligent, but a great deal of her wisdom comes from the choices she herself has had to make in the past.

Application: The experience of those older than us can bring great value to our lives, but only if we heed their advice.

When Sarah was unable to give Abraham a son she gave him her servant who bore him a son. This brought great distress to Sarah.

It seems that her grandson’s wives did not heed the lesson from her experience. When they were not able to conceive, they did the same thing.

This seemed to be a cultural norm at the time but, as someone who cares for children who are not biologically mine, it certainly comes with added complications. For these women, the lesson is not in their inability to conceive, but in their trust in God.

These incredible women of our faith were strong, but often forgot to heed the stories of their ancestors and took matters into their own hands. I can relate, as a proactive woman, and it’s a great reminder for me to, at times, sit back and allow God to be God in my life too.

Prayer: Lord, may we sit at the feet of wise followers who have gone before us and be open to the teaching of faith they can add to our lives. Amen.

Who is a wise, older person you look to for advice?

choices, Genesis, history, learning, right, stories