As the creator, God gave the gift of a child to Zechariah and Elizabeth. Luke 1: 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.[1] From this information, we can surmise that Zechariah and Elizabeth had been praying for a child. At this point in their lives, they may have even stopped praying and assumed God’s answer was no.
This couple was correct in asking God for a child. David gives us insight into how God creates life in the womb. Psalm 139: 13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb… 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. [2]
Other Couples Who Struggled with Infertility
Scripture is full of stories about God gifting children to families. God gave Isaac to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. God had promised Abraham many generations, but this couple had to wait 25 years before they conceived. Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 when Isaac was born. They knew this child was a miracle of God, and they could only give God credit because of their age.
Other couples also struggled with infertility, and God granted them children who became great in God’s Kingdom. Isaac and Rebekah struggled to have children and pleaded with God before they had the twins, Jacob and Esau. Jacob’s wife, Rachel, did not have any children until God opened her womb (Gen. 30:22). Then, God gave Jacob and Rachel Joseph, who would eventually save the nation.
Manoah and his wife lived during the time of the Judges and had been unable to conceive. An angel visited them and announced they would have a son. Their son was Samson, who became a judge of Israel. Later, during the time of Eli, Hannah struggled to become pregnant. Eli, the priest, prayed for her, and God gave Elkanah and Hannah Samuel, who became a great prophet.
Waiting for God’s Timing
As I have experienced life and studied the stories of the Bible, I have come to realize that God often prepares our hearts as we wait. He has a way of always getting us ready for His answer and timing. In doing so, He stretches our faith and reveals what is in our hearts.
We may get impatient and try to use other methods to obtain children. Sarah offered her servant, Hagar, to Abraham. Ishmael was the result of this union and only caused problems. We must remain faithful even in the midst of pain.
The culture at the time considered children a blessing and infertility a curse. Yet, Scripture tells us that both Elizabeth and Zechariah were faithful. God’s timing came as a miracle baby, which encouraged this couple and took away their shame. It also brought glory to God, not to any human, for it is God who gives the gift of a child. Remain steadfast in prayer and wait for God’s timing and answer.
To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-gift-of-children
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.