CHILDLESSNESS

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 6
A reproach
And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. (Genesis 16:22And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. (Genesis 16:2))
And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the Lord hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. (Genesis 29:3232And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the Lord hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. (Genesis 29:32))
And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb? And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her. (Genesis 30:1-31And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. 2And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb? 3And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her. (Genesis 30:1‑3))
And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher. (Genesis 30:1313And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher. (Genesis 30:13))
And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb. (1 Samuel 1:66And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb. (1 Samuel 1:6))
And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. (Isaiah 4:11And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. (Isaiah 4:1))
Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. (Luke 1:2525Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. (Luke 1:25))
See BARRENNESS