Wisdom Through Counsel: When the Mother Is a Counselor in Wickedness

"Ahaziah also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in wickedness." (2 Chronicles 22:3)

Ahaziah followed the ways of the house of Ahab because he had a wicked counselor—his mother. The Bible does not speak of anything good about Athaliah. She is the embodiment of wickedness and gave her son evil counsel. The Bible highlights the significant influence mothers have within the family.

A godly mother, however, gives her children sound counsel, unlike Athaliah. Examples of such women include Jochebed, Sarah, Hannah, Eunice, King Lemuel’s mother, and the Proverbs 31 heroine, Mrs. Crown (I like to call the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 'Mrs. Crown' (based on Proverbs 12:4) or 'Mrs. Far Above Rubies' (from Proverbs 31:10), since her name is not mentioned in the passage.) These godly women nurtured their children in righteousness.

If I had children, I would first teach them the Word of God. The first thing they would memorize would be a scripture verse. The first song they would learn would be a spiritual hymn. The first and last thing they would do each day would be to pray. Their favorite place would be the church and Sunday school.

May every Christian mother be a counselor in godliness.

Topical meditation 2024

December 14