Barren Women

7 Pages 1756 Words

Throughout the Bible, there is an interesting pattern that is of great significance. Many times a woman who was formerly barren was given the gift of conception from God through a strong faith in him. This theme plays a major role in the history of the Israelites, and these births serve a special purpose in God’s plan and in conveying his message. The unusual circumstances of these births are signs of the great importance that person will play later in their lives for the people of Israel (1 Samuel footnotes). This pattern exists with the conceptions of Isaac, Esau and Jacob, Joseph, Samson, and Samuel. Not only are barren women given the ability to give birth, but also in the New Testament the birth of Jesus is allowed to happen to a virgin. The possible reasons for these unlikely births are many. It is important to not only define the pattern, but to understand how each piece of the puzzle fits into that pattern and possible reasons for this.
In the writings that make up the context of the Old and New Testament of the Bible, God is portrayed as having amazing powers. Those powers that he possesses are displayed so that the Jews know that they are his chosen people and that he is more powerful than any other god, and also so that they, in turn, will worship him and follow his covenant. However, there are many times were his people disappoint him. Beginning with Adam and Eve, the very first two people on earth, man has disappointed him, lied to him, ignored his words, and broke covenant after covenant with him. God may have been testing these women and their husbands before giving them such an important child to see if they were righteous. By testing I mean putting them in a state of dispair and waiting to see if they would remain faithful and keep his covenants. After going through such torment without wavering in spirit, He would then know that they were worthy of the blessing that would be bestowed upon them.
The f...