Womeninthechurch28

Women in the Bible

Lesson Twenty-eight: by turtle

Two women Mary and Elizabeth cousins and distance in age, had a new joy in their life. They
both were pregnant. Both pregnancies miracles of God. Let’s back up a little to before Mary see
Elizabeth. Mary could not wait she was eager to go and see if what the angel told her was true.
Was Elizabeth really pregnant after all these years. Accepting what the angel told her must of
been hard enough, but to confirm it she had to know. The anticipation must of been in her
heart and mind as she went to see Elizabeth. Though the Bible only says the next village, I often
thought it possibly a little ways away and not necessarily an easy journey.

Luke 1:39 KJV
(39) And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of
Juda;

Mary then goes to Elizabeth house and Elizabeth is there.

Luke 1:40-41 KJV
(40) And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
(41) And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in
her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

As soon as Mary greeted Elizabeth the baby Elizabeth is carrying leaps in her womb and she is
filled with the Holy Spirit. One must remember Zacharias was told early in this story that the
baby would be filled with the Holy Spirit before birth. This baby would be named John. This
leap was not a normal leap but one of joy and greeting of the blessed mother of the our Lord.
For Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and begins to speak. One must remember that on the
on set of the Holy Spirit there is going to be a gift of the Holy Spirit. In this case it was a
greeting and a confirmation.

Luke 1:42-45 KJV
(42) And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and
blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
(43) And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
(44) For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my
womb for joy.
(45) And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which
were told her from the Lord.

This confirmation of who she was and the blessing Elizabeth gave because she believed was
enough to get Mary joy and praise going.

Luke 1:46-55 KJV
(46) And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
(47) And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
(48) For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all
generations shall call me blessed.
(49) For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
(50) And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
(51) He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of
their hearts.
(52) He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
(53) He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
(54) He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
(55) As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

Mary rejoices that it is the promise God gave Abraham. The prophecy was going to come true.
God would deliver His people. God was going to show mercy to all of them. God was going to
help in this time of distress in the land. Mary then stayed with Elizabeth for three months. No
doubt she was showing a little herself at this time. I do however wonder why she did not stay to
see the baby born.

Luke 1:56-58 KJV
(56) And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
(57) Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
(58) And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon
her; and they rejoiced with her.

The women of the village rejoice at the birth of Elizabeth baby. Did Zacharias ever speak. What
happened to Him.

Luke 1:59-64 KJV
(59) And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they
called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
(60) And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
(61) And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
(62) And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
(63) And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled
all.
(64) And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised
God.

Zacharias mouth was opened as soon as he declare his son’s name. No doubt despite customs of
naming your first child after the father, Zacharias obey God. His tongue was then loosen and
He prophesied and spoke of the great things God was going to do.

Back to Mary what happened when she got home. What was going through her parents mind
and her betrothal. Mary could of been stoned for being pregnant out of wedlock. Joseph loved
Mary and did not want to see any harm come to her. So he secretly plan to have her put away.

Matthew 1:18-20 KJV
(18) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to
Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
(19) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick
example, was minded to put her away privily.
(20) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in
a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that
which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

An angels confirmed to Joseph concerning who child Mary was carrying. How shocked Joseph
must of felt. How could he not honor Mary for the blessing of the conception of this birth.
Though it not his child he would do all that the Lord required of Him.

Matthew 1:21-25 KJV
(21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his
people from their sins.
(22) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the
prophet, saying,
(23) Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his
name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
(24) Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and
took unto him his wife:
(25) And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name
JESUS.

Joseph would be an earthly father and teach Jesus the trade of carpentery. He would raise Jesus
has his own, though He be Emmanuel God with us. Though Christ was perfect from birth and
need no one to teach Him, He still would go through the growing up years like all of us do.
Taking first steps and going with mom and dad to the temple.

Next week we will will get into chapter two of Luke and talk about our Saviors birth. Prophecy
and confirmation is a blessing from God. It helped Joseph accept Mary condition, it help Mary
believe her condition and it brought a joy to the women in Elizabeth village.