This has been a subject that has been on my mind for a while now. God is a God who does the impossible. Jesus said, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19.26b). So with that in mind, we need to say, God is a God of limitless possibilities. And the thing that has hit me most has been the impossible life God has brought from miraculous births.
As I've studied the Bible over the years, I've noticed for sure seven, possibly an eighth, women who have had a humanly impossible birth. Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Manoah's wife, Hannah, Elizabeth, and Mary. The eighth is possibly Ruth (Read Ruth 4.13). In each of these women, birth was said to be impossible, but God gave them each children.
In Genesis 11.30 we are told that Sarah, who was then called Sarai, was barren and had no children. God has promised that Abraham will be the father of many nations, that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars. But his wife is not only barren but is now 90 years old. But God brought life to Sarah in the boy Isaac. Impossible birth number one.
In Genesis 25.21, we see that Isaac's wife, Rebekah, is barren. God had made the promise that through Isaac, Abraham's son, His promise will be fulfilled. And as Isaac prays on behalf of his wife, God answer's his prayers and Rebekah gives birth to twins, Jacob and Esau. Impossible birth number two.
In Genesis 29.31, we are told that Rachel, one of Jacob's wives, is barren. Jacob had two wives, and each of them gave him their maid to bear more children for them. Through his one wife and the two maids Jacob has ten sons, but Rachel is the wife that he loved most, and in Genesis 30.22 God allows Rachel to conceive and Joseph is born. Later He gives her a second son whom Jacob names Benjamin. It is through the family of Jacob that the promise of God is to be carried out. But if God had not opened Rachel's womb and given them Joseph, the family would have died in the famine that struck the land. Impossible birth number three.
The next impossible birth occurs in the book of Judges, with a woman known simply as the wife of Manoah. Her story is found in Judges 13. The nation of Israel has been oppressed by the Philistines, and God raises up Samson to deliver them. Impossible birth number four.
Next comes the one I'm not sure about. I had never thought about Ruth as barren before because the Bible doesn't say that she is. But yesterday as I read Ruth 4.13 I began to think. It says, "And the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son." The wording makes me wonder. Ruth is the great grandmother of King David, who is the King whose throne is to be established forever (2 Samuel 7) in Jesus. Possible impossible birth.
The next one the is certain, we will label as impossible birth number five. It is found in 1 Samuel 1.2b, "Hannah had no children." I believe that this story shows the most detail of what a barren woman went through. She is provoked by her husband's other wife, and we find her weeping bitterly as she prays to God. He answers her prayer and gives her Samuel the prophet who leads Israel and anoints two Kings. Impossible birth number five.
From my memory the next impossible birth takes place centuries later when we come to the New Testament. We are told in Luke 1.7 that Elizabeth is barren. Her husband is Zacharias the priest. We are told that not only is Elizabeth barren, but she is also, like Sarah, advanced in years. But God tells Zacharias that they will have a son and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even in the womb, and will turn many in Israel back to God. John the Baptist is the result of impossible birth number six.
The final impossible birth is different than all the rest. In each of these situations there has been a husband and wife that are barren, unable to have children, or well advanced in age. In each situation God has brought impossible life to fulfill a promise or to deliver,rescue, and lead His people so that His promises can be fulfilled. This final birth does both of those things, and it is the greatest impossibility ever.
"Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary" (Luke 1.26-27). In this we see the greatest impossibility. There is no earthly father, and yet there is a child. God brings His Messiah in a way that proves He has to be the Son of God. There is no other explanation for the birth of Christ than the power of a miraculous God who can do the impossible.
For centuries God has been promising to send the Messiah. Back with Abraham He promised that through him all the families of the world will be blessed (Genesis 12.3b). That promised is carried through the time of David when God promises to establish his kingdom forever. And with Elizabeth the prophet to prepare the way has come. And now it is time for the Messiah.
He will fulfill all of God's promises throughout history. He will make it possible for all people to be rescued from sin, death, and Hell. In Jesus, the Messiah, all impossibilities are possible. It is possible for sinful men to be saved. It is possible for unholy people to become holy. It is possible for the dead man to be made alive and receive eternal life. In Jesus impossible life is available to all.
God is a God who does what we call impossible. He brings life from barren women. And in each case He has used that life to do great things. The life that comes from the impossible circumstance is used greatly by God.
Where is God wanting to bring impossible life in you?
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
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