Having children past the age of childbearing, when the woman's biological clock is off is not common through any natural means. Of course because of the advancement of science and technology, fertility, in vitro fertilization processes, surrogacy among many other methods have made it easier for women who naturally cannot conceive to have children in the 21st century. We thank God for the knowledge given to humanity. However, imagine the same process in the era without technological innovations. It would have sounded ridiculous to tell Sarah or Elizabeth that doctors can help them have children in their old age. Elizabeth was well along in years and even her husband Zachariah testified that (Luke 1:18). But, when her season of manifestation was up, age didn't matter. Our God who created time but is not bound by time defied the natural body clock and caused Elizabeth to have a baby.
but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” (Luke 1:60)
Prior to the birth of Elizabeth’s baby, Mary visited her and stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home (Luke 1:56). In the order of narration, Elizabeth had her child after Mary left.
This is how Luke's gospel records it: "When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy" (Luke 1:57-58). In the Jewish culture, the male son will have to be circumcised on the eighth day. Therefore, "on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” (Luke 1:59-60). Remember, up until this time, Zachariah was mute. He was unable to talk because he did not believe the words of the angel (Luke 1:19). Thus, the people wanted to name the baby after his father but Elizabeth told them that he is to be called John.
The people were concerned about the name. It sounded novel and they didn't even know any family member with that name. The people said to Elizabeth, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” (Luke 1:61). The people made signs to Zachariah to find out what he would like to name the child (Luke 1:62), he asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” (Luke 1:63). According to scriptures, "immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God" (Luke 1:64). Zachariah's tongue was set free right after confirming the name the angel gave to the child. Nine months of silence was over, the prophetic baby had arrived and been named. This incident caused all the neighbours to be filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people talked about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him (Luke 1:65-66). Filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah prophesied about the mandate of his son (Luke 1:67-79).
Elizabeth moved from a barren woman to be celebrated as the mother of John. Indeed, God changed Elizabeth's story and not only did she have a son, her son was no ordinary son. John grew up and walked before the Lord. He ushered the coming of the Saviour of the world. To think that of all the women in the world, God chose an old woman to fulfill such a task should remind us that indeed with God, all things are possible.
Many of us have lost hope, we have waited so long for our breakthrough that we have almost given up. God has not given up on you yet, so why give up? Keep on holding on to His words, trust Him to perform and position yourself at a vantage place to receive from Him. He is still a miracle working God. Don't give up!
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