Elizabeth: a woman of faith and extraordinary circumstances

 Elizabeth is best known as the mother of John the Baptist, the forerunner for the Messiah. Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron and was described as a woman “upright in the sight of God” (Luke 1:6). She is praised for observing all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations without blame. She is also the first to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah (Luke 1:43). Her greatest sorrow was she was childless and aging. She faced the stigma of childlessness within her community. However, her greatest strength is her deep faith. She kept her focus on God and his promises. What is her story? Why is there a stigma of childlessness? What lessons can we find from her life? 

Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah found contentment in their quiet home. As a descendant of Aaron, Zechariah travels to Jerusalem once a year to perform his priestly duties. This particular year, he was chosen for a high honor. A once in a lifetime privilege to burn incense before the Most Holy Place. As he is performing this duty, a figure appears and declares that Elizabeth will bear a son and he will be called John. Zechariah responds, as we probably would too, with skepticism. As a consequence, Zechariah is rendered mute. Six months later, Elizabeth is well into her pregnancy when Mary visits. As Mary approaches, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leapt, which causes Elizabeth to proclaim, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her! (Luke 1:42-45). Elizabeth recognizes the amazing privilege Mary has been given and rejoices with her. When Elizabeth delivers her son, she proclaims his name is John as the family protests. Zechariah confirms the name by writing it down. When he does, his ability to speak returns and praises God. The people are filled with awe and wondered what this child would be (Luke 1:66). 

For many cultures, a woman’s value is largely measured by her ability to have children. To be aging and childless was a personal hardship and a public shame. Barrenness was viewed as a sign of disobedience and divine disfavor. Deuteronomy 7:12-14 directs the people to follow the laws and He will bless them with children and the crops of the land. Those who don’t follow the laws will not be blessed. However, despite Elizabeth and Zechariah’s piety and faithfulness, they are childless. There is a deep stigma attached to childlessness. When a couple gets married, the first question they are ultimately always asked is when are you going to have children? Having children is a deeply personal choice and emotional journey. For some, it is as saying “yes, we’re going to have a baby” and while others agonize over why it isn’t happening or why it is so difficult. For Elizabeth and Zechariah to be so devout and upright and remain childless must have been a debate among their community. A similar debate would be why a devout and faithful Christian is still struggling. Many people would simply state that there is some sin that needs confessing. But is it as simple as that? I think the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah shows us that it is not always the case. 

There are two lessons or themes we can take from the story of Elizabeth. First, God does not forget those who have been faithful to him. In the Parable of the Loaned Money, Jesus describes three servants who were given a task. One wasted the opportunity and the other two took the task and performed above and beyond. To this second servant, the master says, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21, 23). It is an illustration of how we serve God. Serving him with our time, our talents in order to do our work and tasks out of love for God. When we do, He will remember us and bless us in ways that are beyond our understanding. Second, God’s timetable and methods do not have to conform or follow our timetable, methods or our views on how something should be done. Isaiah 55:8 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” We foolishly think we know how God will work within our lives. There’s a famous quote from a Yiddish adage that states, “Man plans, and God laughs.” It is foolish to put limitations on a God who is limitless. Matthew 19:26, Jesus tells us “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” A faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew 17:20-21). 

In conclusion, Elizabeth’s story is another example of God’s use of ordinary people for extraordinary events. God used her and her husband to be the parents of John the Baptist. Their faithfulness was rewarded by being the parents of the forerunner of the Messiah. Like with Hannah (1 Samuel 1:2-2:21), I relate to Elizabeth. As someone who struggled with infertility, it was hard to accept God’s timeline for my journey to motherhood. Accepting my journey came with peace and humility. I did not have the journey I thought I would; but I believe it serves a purpose that I may not see yet. Her story is also a reminder that God does not forget those who are faithful.  

The Shulammite Woman: a love worth waiting for

The Shulammite Woman is an unnamed woman featured in Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon in some translations). She is the only female voice which speaks directly to us. Ruth and Esther’s voices are mediated by narrators. The Shulammite Woman boldly declares her longing and desires to be united to her lover in marriage. While her joy is to be so passionately in love, she knows sorrow as they have been separated at times. What is her story and why would it be included in the Bible? What does the Song of Songs inform us about romantic love? What does it tell us about love and God’s timing? 

She is young, beautiful, and desirable. He is handsome, strong and agile. He is either a shepherd or a king (legend says he is King Solomon). Song of Songs is a love poem with erotic imagery. The Shulammite Woman is as passionate as her lover. As she initiates contact with him and openly declares her feelings. She yearns for his kisses. So in love she is that even his name sounds sweet. The song captures the desires, the anguish, the tension, the longing and the ecstasy of love. While God is not mentioned and seems not to have a role, either active or inactive in the story, there are a few theories why it would be included in the Scriptures. First, it is believed it is an allegory for God’s love for Israel and ultimately, Christ’s love for the Church. Second, it is thought to be an expression of the sacredness of marriage. It is the fullest expression of love between a man and a woman. Anyone who believes that the Bible teaches negative views on sex has not read Song of Songs. 

The story of the Shulammite Woman is simply to love and be loved. It is everyone’s ultimate goal in life, isn’t it? Song of Songs expresses both romantic love and sexual desire. While expressions for physical intimacy and pleasure are detailed but even the deepness of their feelings beyond just the physical. Romantic love. True love. Whatever you want to call it is a special aspect of life. It is a love that does not fade with time and only grows deeper and stronger. Time, disappointments or even tragedies can not wash it away. Someone is probably saying, what a minute! In the ancient world, marriages were often arranged. Yes, there were. Often for political or other beneficial circumstances. However, that does not mean that those marriages did not grow into loving commitments. A few Biblical examples are Isaac and Rachel (Genesis 24:67) and Elkanah and Hannah (1 Samuel 1:8). In marriage, the security of true love gives both men and women the freedom to initiate acts of love and expressions of their true feelings. 

There is one phrase that repeats throughout the Song of Songs that is the important lesson “Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires” is stated by the Shulammite Woman. She implores the women of Jerusalem (and us) three times (2:7, 3:5, and 8:4). Feelings of attraction can often overshadow one’s voice of reason. Too many times an inimtiate relationship is rushed based on the power of those first feelings. The Shulammite Woman repeats this phrase as a reminder to not force romantic love to grow faster than is needed to become a lasting and fulfilling commitment. As a young single woman who wanted nothing more than to love and be loved, I looked for love in all the wrong faces. Until one day I had enough. I prayed and told God that I gave up. I would stop looking and allow him to bring the man He wanted as my husband. Timing is everything. A few short months after I prayed that prayer, God opened that door and allowed a man to come into my life. We’ve been happily married for thirteen years and while we have had our struggles, we are stronger now than when we first fell in love. 

In conclusion, the Shulammite Woman is a woman fiercely in love with her husband and is not afraid to express those feelings. The expressions of the Shulammite Woman and her husband is a great example of a passionate, committed marriage. She is an example that women can and should have an active role in the expression of love. Unfortunately, centuries of being told otherwise still influences thoughts on love and sex. Romantic love is an important part of a commitment relationship. However, it cannot and should not be rushed. It is in God’s timing as His wisdom is far better than ours.