Childbirth

Childbirth in the OT

Childbirth as a blessing

Genesis 1:28 NASB95

God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

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Childlessness a cause of shame in Israel

Genesis 30:1 NASB95

Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she became jealous of her sister; and she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die.”

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The nature of human childbirth

The pain of childbirth a consequence of the fall

Genesis 3:16 NASB95

To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you will bring forth children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you.”

The need for ceremonial purification after childbirth

See also Under the old covenant, unsanctioned contact with blood was ceremonially defiling;

The role of midwives in childbirth

Exodus 1:15–21 NASB95

Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other was named Puah; and he said, “When you are helping the Hebrew women to give birth and see them upon the birthstool, if it is a son, then you shall put him to death; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live. So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this thing, and let the boys live?” The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife can get to them.” So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied, and became very mighty. Because the midwives feared God, He established households for them.

The joy of childbirth

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Childbirth and salvation

The birth of a Saviour

Although childbirth is a focus of judgment, through it the human race continues, and the Messiah comes into the world.

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Salvation in childbearing

A Christian mother fulfils her calling in childbearing; some take it to mean she will be kept safe in childbirth. Some, however, take this verse as a reference to Ge 3:15, and the coming of Jesus Christ, as above.

Childbirth used figuratively

To describe weakness and vulnerability

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To describe weakness under judgment

2 Kings 19:3 NASB95

They said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah, ‘This day is a day of distress, rebuke, and rejection; for children have come to birth and there is no strength to deliver.

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To describe troubles prior to God’s final triumph

Matthew 24:7–8 NASB95

“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

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To describe love and compassion

Isaiah 49:15 NASB95

“Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.

To describe regeneration

John 3:6–7 NASB95

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

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To describe pastoral concern

Galatians 4:19 NASB95

My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—

To describe the disciples’ joy

John 16:21–22 NASB95

“Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world. “Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.

To describe triumph and salvation

Isaiah 54:1 NASB95

“Shout for joy, O barren one, you who have borne no child; Break forth into joyful shouting and cry aloud, you who have not travailed; For the sons of the desolate one will be more numerous Than the sons of the married woman,” says the Lord.

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God’s sovereignty in childbirth

All children are God’s gift

Psalm 127:3 NASB95

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

God controls the events of childbirth

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Childbirth in old age

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Childbirth as an answer to prayer

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Childbirth for the barren woman

Psalm 113:9 NASB95

He makes the barren woman abide in the house As a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!

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Jesus Christ born of a virgin

Isaiah 7:14 NASB95

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

See also ; ; ; “impossible” births demonstrate God’s power and grace and show that salvation comes from the Lord.