Num. 28-30
Chapter 30 seems to go along with the thought that man is to woman as Christ is to His Church. It states that any man that a woman ‘belongs’ to – whether her father or her husband – is able to give her an escape from any thoughtless vow that she bound herself to. Verse 15 says, “But if he makes them null and void after he has heard of them, then he shall bear her iniquity.” Perhaps, when we read things in the Bible that seem different or unfair toward women, we should try looking at them through this lens. Does this separate treatment for women in any way reflect the Church’s role or position under Christ? It certainly seems to in this case. And, in my opinion, it seems this case actually works in favor for the woman to a degree.
Luke 1:21-38
A barren woman was clearly thought less of back in the day – a “reproach among people”, as Elizabeth says. I think about Elizabeth and Sarah, among others, who had to suffer this reproach for most of their lives. Sarah had a promise to hope in (though still struggled with that) but Elizabeth did not. But we know now that God had a plan for each of them. Thing is, we don’t always know what God has planned for us.
I remember many years ago, a friend and his wife were getting ready to move into their new home right around her birthday. He got her something really special for her birthday but delayed giving it to her because he wanted it to coincide with their starting their new life together in their new home. He even had a plan for the whole presentation to make it extra special. Not being aware of his plan, she was VERY upset with him for not getting her anything for her birthday. And she gave him an earful over it. So when he finally presented it to her in the way that he had planned, she felt pretty shamed. I feel like this is how we treat God so many times when things don’t happen when or how we want.
When we are suffering through or struggling with something, it might help to remember that maybe God has a purpose for the struggle. Or maybe He is simply waiting for the right time for whatever blessing He has planned. Instead of focusing on whatever ill fate we are suffering, we can trust that God is good and has something good in store for us. It may not be something as life changing as the offspring with which He ultimately blessed Sarah and Elizabeth, and we may not even recognize it in this lifetime, but we can still know that God never forgets us or overlooks us and that He is always with us. That in itself is far more blessing than we deserve!