A Tale of Four Women

Two cousins, an 80+ elderly married woman and a young virgin teenage girl, both called to be mothers. Their ministries the same, to birth into the earth a man of God and to nurture and raise him according to the laws of God. When the angel informed Mary of her call, she received it with joy and went to Elisabeth’s home, her elderly married cousin. Mary remained there three months close to the end of Elisabeth’s pregnancy. Mary needed the wisdom and direction of the older woman, to receive the confirmation of her faith, and the support and encouragement of a woman who believed and knew God as a God of miracles. Had Mary spoken to her parents? Matthew’s gospel suggests that she had not told Joseph, her espoused husband. Would she have likewise failed to disclose the matter to her parents? Mary was gone three months; she returns home showing and “she was found to be pregnant.”

Unique circumstances, these facts are a breeding ground for fear and anxiety. But, Mary went to another woman called of God. Elisabeth’s nurturing was critical; their companionship and mutual support important for each other. Elisabeth had hidden herself to avoid the doubts and whispers of others. Their ministeries linked by God. Elisabeth’s son’s purpose would be defeated if Jesus isn’t born and Mary’s son purpose hindered if John isn’t in place.
Elisabeth is a highly positioned woman, daughter of the line of Aaron — the first high priest, married to a Levite who ministered in the temple of the Lord and burned incense. When Mary arrives, we don’t see an exalted holier than thou attitude by the older woman, no superiority demonstrated is. No intimidation and no fear of becoming insignificant but humility. Elisabeth doesn’t display an attitude of I’m better than you or fear that “her position” in the eyes of the public will be diminished. But rather the Holy Spirit comes upon Elisabeth and she praises and blesses Mary, the teenager. Read Luke 1:40-45. As Elisabeth spoke over Mary so may it be for each woman in the Body of Christ: And blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her [by the angel sent] from the Lord.” Where do you turn for confirmation and encouragement?

The Contrast

     Two biological sisters, Rachel and Leah.  The Word says the younger, Rachel, was lovely in form and beautiful and the elder, Leah, had weak eyes suggesting that she look frail, and not as "hot" as her sister.  Jacob loves Rachel the moment he sees – the favor of the Lord was upon her.  Jacob and Laban, Rachel’s father agree that Jacob will work seven years for Rachel.  At the end of the seven years Jacob demands his wife.  Laban substituted Leah on the wedding day and when confronted by Jacob, promises to give Rachel if Jacob will compete the six remaining days of the wedding feast and work seven more years.  Jacob agrees, completes the bridal week and receives Rachel.  The word says he loved Rachel more than Leah.  So, he loved Leah and had a sex with her.  Two wives one beloved and favored.  Both blessed with Jacob’s attention.  The word tells us that Rachel became jealous of Leah because Leah bore Jacob four sons.   Rachel struggles with her sister because of jealousy.

Jealousy is a sense of uneasiness or anxiety because of fear; fear of preference being given to another, or fear of the loss of position or affection. Rachel feared the loss of her position as the favorite; she feared the loss of Jacob’s love. The spirit of fear, is the ruling spirit, with jealousy, anxiety, worry, and depression as manifestations. Leah, on the other hand, envied Rachel; Leah had a feeling of discontentment or covetousness with regard to Rachel’s advantages, Rachel’s position. Both of these women were having children not because they desired a family but because they desired a position. Neither enjoyed their allocated position: one beloved and the other fruitful. Their struggle did not impact their position in Jacob’s heart. When he returned home with his families and met Esau, Rachel and her son were placed in the most protected position.
Each of us have a calling and purpose; the same God, the same Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one, just as He [Holy Spirit] determines.”

Our focus should not be like that of the two sisters but like that spoken of John the Baptist by the angel in Luke 1:15: “for he will be great and distinguished in the sight of the Lord;” just as Rachel was great and distinguished in Jacob’s sight even if scorned by mankind because she was barren. John’s call was to “turn many back [from sin] to [love and serve] the Lord their God; to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous [which is to seek and submit to the will of God]—in order to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord.” Jesus’ call was to bear the sins of mankind. John didn’t struggle to be the Messiah but recognized his proper relationship with Jesus — to lay a foundation for Jesus’ ministry and to assist Jesus in fulfilling all righteousness.

As women in the Body of Christ, we have a choice. We can groom and support other women, our conduct like that of Mary and Elisabeth, refreshing as dew. Or we can choose to struggle with the purpose and anointing on our lives and the lives of other women. Our ministries are linked because each is to bring glory and honor to our King. As Paul spoke in 1 Corinthians chapter 3, verses 6-7: “I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that plants anything, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase.” If one of us suffers a miscarriage, the kingdom is hindered.