Topical Encyclopedia Elisabeth, a prominent figure in the New Testament, is a testament to God's power to remove barrenness and fulfill His divine purposes. She is introduced in the Gospel of Luke as the wife of Zechariah, a priest of the division of Abijah. Both Elisabeth and Zechariah are described as righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord (Luke 1:6). Despite their devout lives, they faced the heartache of childlessness, as Elisabeth was barren and both were advanced in years (Luke 1:7).The miraculous removal of Elisabeth's barrenness is a pivotal event in the narrative of the birth of John the Baptist, who would become the forerunner of Jesus Christ. The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah while he was serving in the temple, announcing that their prayers had been heard and that Elisabeth would bear a son. Gabriel instructed that the child be named John, and foretold his significant role in preparing the way for the Lord (Luke 1:13-17). Elisabeth's conception was a divine intervention, underscoring the theme that nothing is impossible with God. Her pregnancy was a cause for great joy and a sign of God's favor, as she herself expressed: "The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people" (Luke 1:25). Her experience reflects the cultural and personal significance of childbearing in biblical times, where barrenness was often seen as a source of shame and divine disfavor. The narrative further highlights the miraculous nature of Elisabeth's pregnancy through her interaction with Mary, the mother of Jesus. When Mary visited Elisabeth, the baby in Elisabeth's womb leaped for joy, and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She recognized Mary's blessedness and the significance of the child she carried, exclaiming, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" (Luke 1:42). Elisabeth's account is a profound example of God's sovereignty and His ability to bring life and purpose out of barrenness. Her faith and the fulfillment of God's promise through her son, John the Baptist, serve as a reminder of the divine orchestration in the unfolding of salvation history. Through Elisabeth, God demonstrated His power to overcome natural limitations and fulfill His redemptive plan for humanity. Nave's Topical Index Luke 1:5-25THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. Nave's Topical Index Library part i Resources Why doesn't God heal everyone? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about pregnancy? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about fertility? | GotQuestions.org Barrenness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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