The promises of God.
Children are a blessing from the Lord (Ps127:3), is what the bible tells us. And every couple that engages in marriage its ultimate expectation is to have kids and fill their home with them. But the hope and dreams for a family sometimes are put to a halt when barrenness creeps in, and in times past it was a shameful time. Some say that when God delays fertility in a woman when it comes, it comes in an exaggerated portion. And so is with his promises, when we wait for God, though they tarry they will come with more abundance (hab2:3). God rewards us for our patience (Ga6:9), and in due season we will acquire what we wait for if we do not faint. God’s promises are sure. The promises are secure with them that waits for him (He10:23).
Luke 1:21-25
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
Zacharias and Elisabeth, like five others in the bible had given up on the hope to fill their homes with children once they passed the age to conceive. Abraham and Sarah who were in their 70’s gave birth to Isaac, Isaac and Rebecca after a divine prophecy gave birth the twins, Esau and Jacob. Rachel who was struggling with infertility gave birth to Joseph. Samson’s mother was barren was nameless in the bible. And last was Hannah Samuel’s mother who was also barren, she found favor with God and gave birth to a prophet. Without any expectation to the fulfillment of their hope, Zach went to fulfill his duty as high priest and the lighting of incense in the tabernacle. The Angel Gabriel surprised him with the announcement that his wife was finally having a baby even in her old age. Zach’s faith was tested with the announcement and failed and resulted in him being muted for the duration of the pregnancy. The thought of what everyone would say about them probably caused his faith to waiver. Elisabeth hid herself for five months after she gave labor to John, because at that late stage in her life God had taken the reproach of man from her.
Maybe Elisabeth’s hiding was because she did not know how to react with everything that had happened in front of society. God needed to bring her out and show what he had done in her, so he sent her Mary (Lk1:41-43). She needed to come out and see that she was no longer oppressed but let her light shine (Mt5:16). God’s blessing changes the perspective on how people look at us. John became the last of the Old Testament prophets and the first of the New.
Psalms 127:3
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Habakkuk 2:3
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Galatians 6:9
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Hebrews 10:23
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Luke 1:41-43
41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Matthew 5:16
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.