“There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias. … His wife … was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years” (Luke 1:5–7).
In the middle of the 20th century, it was unusual for married women to be childless. But things have changed; currently, about one out of five women in America has never had a child. While it’s no longer unusual
to be childless in Western society, and many are so by choice, researchers have found that there is still a stigma attached. Although being childless is applauded by some groups in the world, more often a high value is placed on having children.
In one study, childless women believed other people viewed them as selfish or having less compassion. They often felt less valued, discredited, or insignificant.
Elizabeth, the wife of Zacharias, knew the feeling well. It wasn’t by choice that she was childless, and she must have felt that other women looked down on her. When she discovered she would have a child, she said that the Lord had worked “to take away my reproach among people” (Luke 1:25).
But even greater blessings came to this godly woman’s life. When her cousin Mary came to visit, Elizabeth prophesied, saying, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:42, 43). Some Bible commentators believe that Elizabeth had no previous knowledge of Mary’s situation.
As one “blameless” before God, not only was Elizabeth chosen as mother to the man who would prepare the way for the Messiah, but she also proved to be a great blessing and encouragement to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
When we live within God’s will, loving Him supremely and obeying all His commandments, He will bless us and use us to bless others in ways we could never imagine.
Dear Lord, help me love You more and walk in all Your ways so I can be a blessing to those around me.
For Further Study: Luke 1:5–25; 1:39–45; Psalm 37:4–6