Some of the deepest griefs and struggles encountered on this earth relate to the ability to birth children. It is a pain that can carry with it open wounds and deep emotional scars. Reading the Old Testament can help remind you that God remembered Sarah in her barrenness; He remembers:
- the women and couples struggling with infertility,
- the men struggling to find their place in this world,
- the promises He gave us.
He remembers.
God remembers…
In Genesis chapter 8 we begin in the middle of Noah’s ark, but with a simple yet compelling statement.
But God remembered Noah….
Genesis 8:1a, ESV
God not only remembered but He came alongside them. He protected them and even blessed them. It is quite extraordinary when reading through the first chapters of the Bible to see how much inference there is to family, offspring, marriage, promises, etc.
[T]he intention of man’s heart is evil from youth.
Genesis 8:21b, ESV
When Noah and his family departed the ark, you can see for yourself that every inclination of man’s heart is evil from childhood. Yet, and yet, two verses later in Genesis 9:1, we read God blessing Noah and instructing him to reproduce and fill the land. God knows our hearts but encourages reproduction–much like He instructed Adam and Eve.
And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it….”
Genesis 1:28a, ESV
God reminds us of the value of all life…
After establishing Noah’s dominion over animals (that he may now consume for food), He reminds him of the value of life. God finds every life valuable. Everything that has blood must have a purpose for it’s death (Genesis 9:4-6); might that guide us as Christians on our thoughts about abortion. God values even the animal’s lives and does not want their destruction to be in vain.
Following this, we see that parenting is not for the faint of heart as the story unfolds, depicting the lack of respect Ham showed his father (and the resulting consequences). (Genesis 9:20-25)
As we are led on, we read proof in the genealogy, God’s blessing and instructions to Noah were fulfilled.
God’s gift is not enough…
The Bible then leads us to a reminder of our natural state with the Tower of Babel story. After just reading the creation story, it should serve us well to remind ourselves of the gift that the earth is to us. Yet, again, we see as we did with Adam and Eve, that men wanted more. They wanted more than what God had already so carefully created and offered as a gift: the earth with everything we need.
In chapter 11, it is no different as they sought to reach Heaven. Nowadays, it is not much different as we see how hard our nations try to find life on another planet. For my entire life, I have heard about the search for life on Mars. It is never ending. So much so, that they are still trying to dream up ways for us to survive there when earth was created for our existence. The promise Noah received from God through the rainbow prompts us to recall that all life would never be cut off again.
Following along, we begin to understand the placement of this story. The Bible teaches us that languages and people groups were further established at this time. Then our story comes to Abram.
Abram was not perfect, but still commended for his faith and obedience…
He was greatly revered and commended for his faith. If we jump to Hebrews 11, we read that Abram was faithful and obedient even when the odds were against him. In Genesis chapter 12, the Lord promises Abram future offspring. The story takes an interesting turn when we see Abram’s treatment of Sarai, made possible because she was barren. He disgraces her, disowns her, and essentially sells her for wealth and selfish reasons to the Egyptians (Genesis 12:11-16).
As a 65 year old barren woman who was promised numerous children, I cannot imagine her marital situation before or after that occurred. After his little stunt, they get kicked out of the country when we find out that Abram had become VERY wealthy. (Genesis 13:2 and I’ll refer you back to Genesis 12:16.)
Continuing on, Abram settles in the land of Canaan. He is again promised that the land will be gifted to he and his offspring (Gen. 13:12, 14-17). Sometimes, we need those extra reminders of God’s promises and faithfulness.
Remember He is faithful…
So carry on, in the midst of trials and look for those reminders of His care for you. Just remember, God remembered Sarah. Seek Him, He will remember you as well because He is faithful.
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You’re so right that being able to bear or not bear children is such an intimate issue of the heart, either for joy or for great pain. I’m thankful for God’s faithfulness to walk out this journey with each one of us.
Thank you Lord, that you are faithful. Thank you for this reminder that even in the midst of trials, He is still God, and He is still faithful.
Wonderful article! Just what I needed to read right now. God bless you!