Steemchurch: Sterility

The Bible does not avoid the issue of infertility. In fact, the Scriptures give more space to the struggles of Abraham and Sarah for not having children than for creation. He also has a serious role in the lives of other prominent biblical characters. Not being able to have children was a heavy burden to bear in ancient times, just as it is today.

But in every story, God directs to the same answer that he asks of us today. He asks us to trust Him in the uncertain, waiting, and disappointing days in our lives as much as He asks us to trust during the days of blessing. With or without children, it calls us to a life of faith.

When God includes infertility in His inspired Word, he presents infertile couples in main narratives in the biblical narrative:

Abraham and Sarah, Genesis 15: 2-6
Isaac and Rebekah, Genesis 25:21
Jacob and Rachel, Genesis 29: 31-30: 22
Manoa and his wife (Samson's parents), Judges 13
Elcano and Ana, 1 Samuel 1 > Zechariah and Elizabeth, Luke 1: 7

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Biblical Descriptions of Problems Resulting from Infertility:
The Bible presents honest accounts of some of the consequences that often result from not having children.

a. Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 16).

Losing patience and frustrated by not having children, Sara and Abraham take matters into their own hands. Abraham sleeps with Sarah's maid, Hagar, who has Ishmael. The result is conflict. Angry, Sara blames Abraham (verse 5). Abraham appeases Sarah by giving her permission to mistreat Hagar (verse 6). Hagar suffers the wrath of Sarah (verse 6). The far-reaching consequences include the Arab / Israeli conflict that continues to this day.

b. Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 30: 1-2)

Rachel is jealous of her sister Leah (verse 1), who gives birth to four children. Infertility can produce incredible jealousy of others who may have children, especially if they are loved ones. This jealousy undermines the personal relationship.

c. Elcano and Ana (1 Samuel 1)

Elcana, although he loves his wife Ana (verse 5), lacks sensitivity to his wife's pain. He allows his other wife, Penina, to provoke Ana and mock her for not having children (verses 6-7). Elcana also showed a lack of understanding when she told Ana: "Why are you crying? Why do not you eat? Why is your heart afflicted? "(Verse 8).

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God Redeem the Death of Dreams

The goodness of God and His sovereignty does not negate the pain of infertility. But the hopeful promise of the Scriptures is that God specializes in producing life in dreams that have died. He transforms the tombs into orchards of fragrant beauty. Your plan may eventually include a child for the infertile couple, or maybe not; but it always includes the opportunity of grace, healing and ministry.

In almost every biblical account of infertility, the child who is born in the long run plays a significant role in redemption. God presents infertility as a prelude to something wonderful. He redeems empty arms with plainness.

From despair He produces hope; of sterility He produces fruit for His kingdom.

Abraham and Sarah have Isaac, the son of promise.
Isaac and Rebecca have Jacob, the father of the nation of Israel.
Jacob and Rachel have Joseph, who delivered his tribe from famine.
Manoa and his wife have Samson, the great liberator of Philistine oppression.
Elcana and Ana have Samuel, judge and priest who anointed David.
Zacarías and Elisabet have Juan, precursor of Jesus.
Be alert for the trap of self-pity.

"To feel pity for oneself is the smog that pollutes and obscures the light of the Son of God. The more you sink into it, the more it hurts. The more tears spill from one's eyes, the greater the sting of loneliness. "

Biblical encouragement for times of discouragement

Luke 1: 6-7 - It is described that both Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous before the eyes of God. They walked with God and loved him with all their heart; and yet, they had no children. Infertility has nothing to do with one's level of spirituality.

John 9: 1-3 - Often difficult circumstances have nothing to do with sin, but rather with God's desire to do a great work in our lives.

Genesis 16: 7-13 - The God who heard Hagar is the God who sees (verse 13) and the God who is interested and who hears our cries.

Psalm 34:18 - The Lord promises to be close to those whom he oppresses the pain of not having children.

Isaiah 53: 8 - Even from the prophecy, we know that Jesus would understand the sting of not having children of his own, although he certainly loved children.

Hebrews 2: 10-13 - Although Jesus did not have biological children of his own, they have many children that God has given him as a spiritual birth. In the same way in principle, God blesses those who do not have children with opportunities to spiritually impact other people.

Matthew 7: 9-11 - God gives good gifts. He retains only what He knows is not the best thing or that He is not ready to give them at that moment. Act only according to His love for us, working for our good. God does not use infertility to punish His children.

We may not understand His reasons for allowing a couple to be infertile, but we do know that He is close to that couple in their affliction and that He can be trusted regardless of the outcome.

Habakkuk 3: 17-19 -Habacuc paints a desolate picture, where there is no fruit and life. However, the prophet rejoices, not because of what God has given, but because of who God is. The result is the ability to overcome gigantic obstacles, including the terrain resembling a mountain range of living with infertility.

2 Corinthians 12: 7-10 - When prayer seems to go unanswered, direct your counselee to understand that God's "no" answers are always accompanied by His grace and power. Satan wants to torment you, and incapacitate your trust. God wants to use their lives as a standard for His glory.

Psalm 13, 22, 38, 73, 86, 143 - Recommend these biblical passages to your counselees who are struggling with suffering.