Anytime you title something like this, some men cannot resist reading. You know who you are- now go away; you will just be bored and disrupt the class!
There are many places in the world where women are still oppressed and marginalized if not blatantly abused. I was reminded this week as I read the Christmas story how different it is with God. God understands women and their needs. This is apparent from the moment Gabriel announced the birth of Christ to Mary and throughout the life and ministry of Jesus. In particular, I was impressed as I read Gabriel’s announcement that God understood Mary needed a friend. Joseph would need divine intervention before he could overcome his male ego and wounded pride; he certainly was not in a place where he could be supportive. He may have even been worried about her sanity with all the talk of angel visitations, thinking, “You know, maybe I should just have her ‘put away’.”
What is a girl to do? Gabriel gave her a hint…Elizabeth understands that nothing is impossible with God; she is also going through a divine moment in her life. That was all the encouragement Mary needed. Yes, Elizabeth was family, but God was also preparing her to be the friend Mary would need.
What made Elizabeth the perfect example of whom to turn to in a crisis?
Several things are apparent in the scripture. She was “6 righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord”. (Luke 1 ESV) We need to know that our friend is in touch with God and able to give Godly counsel.
She also had held on to her faith in spite of a great trial in her life. Her faith in God had been tested by years of infertility. “7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.” Hers was a tested mature faith that had held on to God even though she had not received what she so desperately wanted. She must have loved God for Himself and not for what she could get from Him. A friend who will help you to remain strong in faith is invaluable.
She knew how to keep a secret, even one that overwhelmed her with wonder and joy. “24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me to take away my reproach among people.” We all need another woman we can trust with our burdens, secrets, even our shame.
God even gave Elizabeth confirmation that Mary’s child was of God. What a tremendous gift that was to Mary! Then Elizabeth could give Mary her full support with no small doubt in her mind. Mary desperately needed someone who would believe her, and believe in her. “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” What strength it must have given Mary to know that Elizabeth believed she could be the mother of the “Lord”.
Elizabeth was not swayed from her commitment to the word of God by public opinion; as when she refused to give in to pressure when it came time to name John. “59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” Who better to stand with Mary against the pressure she would face, then someone who could truly believe the confirmation God gave her?
For three months, you know those first three months when morning sickness makes you think you are going to die, Mary was in a safe place. She was cared for and caring for someone who understood. What a gift from the God who understands what a woman needs!
Do you need an Elizabeth in your life? Ask God to give you a suggestion, like Gabriel did for Mary.