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Elizabeth was well acquainted with waiting. She and her husband, Zechariah, were “righteous before God, living blamelessly” (Luke 1:6), and yet they were childless, a condition that was often considered a disgrace and sign of God’s displeasure. As the years passed, Elizabeth could no longer hope to conceive. Yet like Abram and Sara, God surprised his faithful followers late in their life, reversing barrenness and bringing forth a child he would use in a great way, who would come to be known as John the Baptist.
The message of this miracle was first delivered to Zechariah. An angel appeared to him in the temple and announced that Elizabeth would bear a son who would “make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17). In disbelief, Zechariah questioned the message and in return became mute until the time of John’s birth. Elizabeth, upon learning of her pregnancy, remained in seclusion for five months, marveling at God’s favor toward her in removing the disgrace she’d suffered as a barren woman.
While pregnant, Elizabeth received a visitor – her relative Mary, also with child in a miraculous way. As the angel had foretold in his time with Zechariah, John was filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth (1:15), and as Mary walked into the room with the Savior in her womb, Elizabeth’s baby leapt with joy (1:41). Elizabeth, herself overcome with the Spirit, proclaimed “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” (1:42-43). While this visit greatly affected Elizabeth, it can be assumed that Mary was as well deeply benefited from this visit, for the first time having someone validate and recognize her private sacrifice to the Lord.
In Elizabeth we glimpse a woman required to do much waiting. And yet, Elizabeth remained faithful. Upon finally becoming pregnant, after her hopes had long since gone, she spent five months alone, hushed and marveling at the miracle underway. As many a pregnant woman has done, she closed out the world and sat with God as he performed his great work of preparation. Truly, all waiting involves such deep work of preparation. In quiet solitude we can best avail ourselves to this work of God in us.
 
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E-newsletter Archive
May/June 2005
