Mary and Elizabeth: Two Unlikely Mothers

As we learn about the birth of the Messiah, we are introduced to two women: Mary and Elizabeth.  Mary is the mother of the Christ child and Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist.


These women were cousins, but at first glance they don't seem to have too much in common.  One is old, the other is young.  One is married, the other is a virgin.  Yet as I study their lives, they actually have quite a bit in common.  They also have some powerful lessons to teach us.  

First let's look at the mother of Jesus. 

MARY


When the angel Gabriel (Noah) appears to the virgin Mary, she was betrothed to Joseph.   


A betrothal in ancient Biblical times is not like an engagement today.  Here are a few key differences:  

  • The betrothal occurs when the woman (usually between the ages of 12 and 15) partakes of broken bread and wine in front of witnesses.  Only the woman can accept or reject the arrangement (usually done by uncles) not the future bridegroom.  
  • Once the betrothal is official, the couple is legal bound to each other by Judaic law.  A bill of divorcement is required if the couple does not marry.  
  • The couple cannot speak or see each other during the betrothal.  Messages are delivered by couriers.  
  • When the wedding occurs, the couple consummates their marriage while the wedding guests wait.  If the bride is found to be pure (a virgin), the wedding party celebrates the nuptials with a feast.  If the bride is found not to be pure (not a virgin) she is cast out of the bridal chamber and may be killed.  If at any time during the betrothal, the woman is found not to be a virgin, she can be stoned to death.  



Keeping this in mind, it's easier to understand what it meant for Mary to tell Joseph in person that she was with child.  


It was grounds for a divorcement and Joseph could even legally have her killed.  At the very least she would be publicly shamed.  

Now let's consider the mother of John the Baptist.  

ELIZABETH


Unlike, Mary, Elizabeth was an older married woman.  

Maryjane Wadley as Elizabeth in the Savior of the World production

Elizabeth was barren, meaning she couldn't have children.  Again, this had a much greater implication than it does today.  


Women who were barren were disgraced for two reasons:  

1. They could not have children; therefore, they could not make their husband a father in Israel.  This meant that they wouldn't have any children to care for and protect them in their old age.  Additionally, many hoped that the Messiah would be born through their lineage, with no children, this was not a possibility.  

2. Barrenness was considered a punishment from the Lord.  Many thought that a woman became barren as a result of being unfaithful to her husband.  Barren women were a victim of gossip and ridicule in their community.  

When Zechariah tells his wife that they will have a child, imagine her joy.  She feels the Lord is looking on her favorably and she will no longer be reproached by others.   



 Mary's visit to Elizabeth must have been a tender time for each of them. 



Both were favored by the Lord. 

Both were with child miraculously.  

One had faced public shame for not being pregnant, one was about to be publicly shamed for being so. 

Both showed great faith and humility.  

LESSONS FOR TODAY

As I study what it meant for these two women be with child, I can't help but ask:  

Why did Heavenly Father select two unlikely mothers, a virgin and a barren woman?  

As I think about these brave women, a few lessons come to mind.  

Lesson #1 - Trust in the Lord 

Before Gabriel's visit, pregnancy most likely was the furthest thing from Mary's mind.  I doubt it was something she was praying would happen to her since she was betrothed and a virgin.  On the other hand, Elizabeth had probably spent many nights on her knees for several years tearfully pleading for a child.  

Sometimes we are given blessings we do not seek, and sometimes we are denied blessings that we so desperately want. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 offers wise counsel in both situations:  


We can follow Elizabeth's and Mary's examples and trust that the Lord is directing our paths no matter what lies before us. 


Lesson #2 - Wait patiently on the Lord 


We don't have any evidence in the Bible that Mary broadcast to all of her friends the events that transpired leading up to Christ's birth.  In fact, Luke tells us that she "...kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." [Luke 2:19].  I imagine it would be difficult to keep such a special experience from the world for a long time, especially when it vindicates you.

Note: It's interesting to observe that the only other apostle to recount the nativity is Matthew. He doesn't give near the detail that Luke does.  How could Luke, who had never known the Savior, know about the immaculate conception in such great detail?  If he did get the story from Mary, as tradition states, she had been keeping that in her heart a very long time.  

Tradition also tells us that Elizabeth was probably around 88 years old when she had John the Baptist.  Even a fertile woman at that age didn't have much hope of conceiving a child, let alone a barren one.  Despite her faithfulness, she was treated by others as if God was punishing her.  But she knew in her heart that she was righteous and faithful and endured the disgrace for many years. 

Elder Maxwell wisely observed:



We can follow Elizabeth's and Mary's examples and wait upon the Lord's timetable and not demand it be done when we think it's best.  

Lesson #3 Fear God, not man. 

Because of the traditions during their time, both Elizabeth and Mary had justifiable reasons to worry about public disgrace.  Yet they showed great faith in the Lord and a desire to do His will.

Isaiah said in chapter 51:7 

"...fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings." 

Sometimes following God can expose us to ridicule from the world.  We can follow Elizabeth's and Mary's example and not concern ourselves with the reproach from others.  


ACTION PLAN 


Thankfully we don't live in a time when unwed mothers are killed nor barren woman are shunned (at least not in Western culture).  But we still live in troubled times.  This week I am going to try to follow Elizabeth's and Mary's examples with the following action plan:

1. Think of a blessing that I have not yet received, or one that I did not ask for. 
2. Evaluate my attitude towards that blessing. 
3. Pray for an increased ability to trust in the Lord and in His timing. 
4. Strive to have an eternal perspective concerning this blessing and not to view the situation through the world's eyes.  


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This is not an official publication of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This post coincides with the January 7-13 lesson of the Come Follow Me 2019 Individual Study Manual.


To see the collection of all the posts that coincide with Come Follow Me 2019 manual, follow this Pinterest Board.  


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