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Note: This post was written as part of the Infertility Bible Study series. If you’d prefer to read it on the free downloadable ebook, click here.
A reading from Luke 1:5-25:
5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
[Luke 1:5-25, NIV]
Elizabeth’s story sometimes gets overlooked and forgotten, overshadowed by Jesus’ birth in the following chapter. Big deal — she just got pregnant the “normal” way. Mary got pregnant miraculously, with our Savior. But Elizabeth’s story is important too, especially for us in the midst of infertility. Here’s why:
Elizabeth was a disgrace. In verse 25, Elizabeth praises God because he has taken away her disgrace. The dictionary definition of disgrace is “loss of reputation or respect.” Elizabeth had lost her reputation and respect.
Even now, when infertility supposedly affects 1 out of every 8 couples, it can still feel like a disgrace. You can no longer relate to all of your friends, who talk nonstop about their baby’s first smile and first steps and first words. You don’t get invited to things anymore, because you have no kids to bring to the play date. You can’t give your husband children, your parents grandparents.
Infertility can feel like a disgrace.
And yet. And yet God had something special planned for Elizabeth. She would bring a baby into the world — not just any baby, but one who would prepare the way for the Lord. One who would baptize Jesus. God had something so special planned for Elizabeth that she could not even believe it: “But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (v. 43)
One Bible commentary puts it this way: “When God allows a woman to be barren, he often has something special in mind for her.”
Be careful though: This is not a call for you to “never give up on having kids.” It’s worth noting that Elizabeth and Zechariah had given up. Zechariah had surely prayed for this child (v. 13), but it seems he had already given up — it was too late (v. 18). They gave up on that dream. But they didn’t give up on God. They were “upright in the sight of God.” They observed “all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly” (v. 6), even in the midst of infertility. They didn’t know or even believe that the plan for their lives would include children, but they still followed God’s commands.
You don’t know if God’s plan for you includes children or not. So whether you choose to give up on having children or not, don’t give up on God. His plan will always prevail.
This week, remember what that Bible commentary points out: “When God allows a woman to be barren, he often has something special in mind for her.” The same still holds true today.
Prayer: God, help me to imitate Elizabeth, who kept your commands and faithfully served you, even in the midst of her barrenness. Comfort me with the knowledge that you have something special planned for my life, even if I don’t know yet what that is. Amen.
Scripture to memorize: 1 Corinthians 1:27: “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
Song for the way to work: He Knows my Name by Francesca Battistelli
Suggested scripture readings for the week:
Genesis 18:1-16
Judges 13:1-25
Colossians 3:1-17
Jeremiah 29:10-14
Matthew 5:1-12
Click to return to the Infertility Bible Study Series.
