The Daughters of Jerusalem Mourn #2423

28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’ 31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry (Luke 23:28–31, NKJV)?”

Jesus used the figure of green and dry wood to warn the daughters of Jerusalem to mourn the difficult, deadly days ahead for Jerusalem (Luke 23:27-30). Verse 30 quotes and applies Hosea 10:8, which spoke of God’s judgment and punishment that Samaria would not escape. (This reference is used in Revelation 6:15-16, depicting the sure and inescapable nature of divine judgment.) The “green wood” period was no doubt when the Messiah was with them. His words and works brought life to Israel like a green spout. Yet they rejected and killed Him. Since that is how they acted when things were good, imagine what they would do when God removed His blessing and brought His judgment upon the city. Terrible things would be done (Matt. 24:9-12). Historians record accounts of cannibalism and other atrocities in Jerusalem during its siege and destruction by Rome in A.D. 70. We ought to believe, obey, and rejoice in the blessings of Christ (Eph. 1:3). If not, we will undoubtedly mourn when God’s wrath punishes our disobedience (2 Cor. 10:6; 2 Thess. 1:8-9).

Do Not Despise Your Mother #1943

Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old. (Proverbs 23:22, NKJV)

We join today with sons and daughters the world over as they honor their mothers. God, the giver of all good gifts, has given us the wonderful gift of mothers. Mothers are tireless givers, fierce protectors, and sacrificial sustainers of their children’s lives. Godly mothers also tend to the spiritual lives of their children. Like Eunice and Lois, the mother and grandmother of Timothy, God-fearing mothers teach their children sincere faith in Christ (2 Tim. 1:5). Sadly, not every son and daughter respects and honors the blessings of their mother’s love, devotion, and sacrifice. It is hard for us to understand why children turn their backs on their mothers, but it happens. Wise Solomon warned against despising your mother in her old age. The mother who bore you and kept you alive when you could not do so yourself may well need you to care for her one day. Be patient with your mother as she ages. Be kind to her. Show her your love. Doing so will comfort her heart and assure her of your love and respect. It will also show your respect for God, who gave us motherhood. After all, without mothers, you would not be here. None of us would. Indeed, that deserves our respect and honor—that, and so much more.