Childbirth is a miraculous event that is both joyful and painful. God designed the process of childbirth and views children as blessings from Him. Throughout Scripture, we find truths about conception, pregnancy, labor & delivery, and caring for infants that provide guidance and comfort for families. This article will explore key Biblical themes related to childbirth.
Introduction
Childbirth is an intensely physical and emotional experience ordained by God that reveals many spiritual truths. The Bible speaks often of God’s hand in conception, His care throughout pregnancy, His presence during labor, and His love for the life He’s created.
Although challenging, pregnancy and birth showcase God’s creativity, highlight our dependence on Him, and demonstrate His faithfulness from generation to generation. The cries of a newborn reflect the joyful hope found in Christ alone.
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Key Takeaways:
- Children are blessings from God. He is the author of life.
- God cares intimately for mothers and babies throughout pregnancy and birth.
- Labor pain is the result of the Fall, but God’s grace is sufficient.
- God calls husbands to love and support their wives through this season.
- Raising children in the love of Christ is a noble, God-given privilege.
The Bible has much to say about this miraculous journey. We can cling to its truth and take comfort in God’s perfect plan.
Children Are Blessings From God
Scripture makes clear that children are blessings from God. The very first command God gave mankind was to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). God opens and closes wombs and forms each baby in the womb. Children are His reward and heritage.
Author of Life
The Bible teaches that God opens and closes wombs according to His will. He is the author of life.
- “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:27-28).
- “And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, ‘The Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me” (Genesis 29:32).
- “So Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived” (Genesis 25:21).
- “Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. And she conceived and bore a son, and said, “God has taken away my reproach” (Genesis 30:22).
- “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.” (Psalm 139:13-16)
God knits each baby together, sees all their days before they are lived, and forms them with purpose and care. Human life begins at conception when God breathes an eternal soul into the new person He has created.
Children as Blessings and Gifts
The Bible speaks of children as unmerited blessings from God. They are His reward. Parents are merely stewards entrusted with His precious gifts.
- “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.” (Psalm 127:3-5).
- “He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 113:9).
- “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17).
Children are blessings to be received joyfully as gifts from God. He alone opens the womb and authors life.
God’s Care in Pregnancy and Birth
In addition to designing conception and birth, God demonstrates His tenderness by ministering to mothers throughout pregnancy and delivery. He promises strength and rest to the weary.
Promises of Provision and Help
God promises to sustain and equip mothers through the challenges of pregnancy and birth. His grace is sufficient as mothers lean on Him.
- “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
- “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31).
- “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
- “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
God cares deeply for mothers navigating pregnancy and promises to equip them. His grace empowers the weak.
Intimate Knowledge and Care
Our omniscient God intimately knows and cares for each mother and child. He is Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23).
- “You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me” (Psalm 139:5).
- “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms” (Isaiah 40:11).
- “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands” (Isaiah 49:15-16).
The God who marks the stars and calls them by name surely knows and cares for every mother and child. He compassionately holds and helps the weak and weary.
Labor Pains a Result of the Fall
The pain of labor and delivery is a consequence of the Fall in Genesis 3. Prior to the curse, childbirth was not agonizing. Yet even in the pain of labor, we see glimmers of the hope found in Christ alone.
Curse on Eve
When Eve sinned, God cursed her saying:
- “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children” (Genesis 3:16).
Childbirth was not initially designed to be excruciating. Pain in labor is part of the curse that resulted from mankind’s sin.
Groaning as We Wait
All of creation groans under the weight of sin. Mothers groan and labor while awaiting the joy of birth. This reflects our spiritual groaning as we agonize while waiting for the return of Christ.
- “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:22-23).
Painful labor illustrates the brokenness of our fallen world. But neue birth reveals our hope in the redemption promised in Christ alone.
Hope in the Midst of Brokenness
Despite the agony of childbirth, each new baby ushers in joy and hope. Through the pain, we gain precious treasure.
- “A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world” (John 16:21).
In Christ, we have unspeakable joy even amidst suffering. The pain of this lifetime gives way to eternal blessing.
God Calls Husbands to Love and Support Their Wives
In God’s design, husbands uniquely care for their wives – especially during pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood. They are to love sacrificially as Christ loved the church.
Called to Lay Down Their Lives
The Bible calls husbands to sacrificially serve and honor their wives.
- “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25)
- “Husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself” (Ephesians 5:28).
- “Let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself” (Ephesians 5:33).
This selfless love reflects Christ’s care for the church. Husbands lay down their very lives for their brides.
Active Support in Childbearing
In addition to lifelong sacrifice, husbands uniquely support their wives through pregnancy and birth.
- “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates” (Proverbs 31:30-31).
God calls husbands to actively honor the “fruit” of her hands – the blessing of children.
Partner in Raising Children
Husbands and wives are partners entrusted with the stewardship of raising children under God’s authority.
- “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
Childrearing is a cooperative labor of mature, sacrificial love.
Raising Children in the Love of Christ
From conception and beyond, children are gifts to nurture for Christ. Parents should raise them in the discipline and affection of the Lord.
Teaching God’s Word
Parents are commanded to teach their children God’s Word at all times. This lifetime discipleship begins early.
- “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
- “That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children” (Psalm 78:6).
- “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
- “Bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
Loving Discipline and Instruction
Parents should continually discipline and instruct their children with wisdom, love, and affection.
- “For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:12).
- “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
God disciplines those He loves. Parents must also gently shepherd children toward righteousness.
Walking Faithfully
Children are a sacred stewardship. Parent must model righteousness by walking faithfully with God.
- “I will walk within my house with a perfect heart” (Psalm 101:2).
- “For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them” (1 Samuel 3:13).
Parents must nurture a healthy fear of God. Their personal faith shapes a child’s spiritual identity.
Raising godly children in a broken world is a monumental task. But God promises to equip parents for the journey when they rely on His strength alone. Children are precious gifts to love and enjoy under His wise care.
Conclusion
In His perfect wisdom, God designed conception, pregnancy, childbirth and parenting. Throughout Scripture, we see His sovereignty, goodness, and grace toward both mothers and babies. Though the pain of childbirth is severe due to sin, God redeems the agony through the unspeakable joy of new life. He compassionately knows and cares for mothers and children, while calling fathers to gentle, steadfast support. And He graciously equips parents to nurture children in the love of Christ.
Despite its challenges, childbirth ushers in hope. It reflects the tears and travail of this broken life as we await eternal redemption. But through it all, Christ remains our faithful strength. Like a mother forgetting her pain the moment her baby cries, our present sufferings give way to “the glory that is to be revealed” (Romans 8:18). What wondrous love is this!
