Elisabeth: Five Aspects of a Godly Mother

Faithful

When Elisabeth, a descendant of Aaron, is first introduced in the Gospel of Luke (chapter 1, verse 6) we read that she and her husband Zacharias were “…righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” Elisabeth was faithful to walk in harmony with God, and thus was able to live harmoniously with her spouse. Though born a sinner like everyone else we can understand from this statement she came before God to be cleansed and determined to live her life for God to the degree that no one could find actual fault against her based on the written Word.

Verse seven states she was not only aged, but had no child. Many in society at that time would think that such a woman was cursed, or at least had some secret unresolved spiritual fault. Despite this reproach, she loved and trusted Almighty God.

Humble

Yet, it was God’s plan to bless her as the mother of John the Baptist. Verses 24-25 show that instead of proudly blabbing her pregnancy, she looked upon it as a personally awesome blessed event. In recent years I have seen an image on the Internet of a pregnant woman saying “I make people.” It would be good for all of us to remember that the only real reason why we can take our next breath is because God permits it.

Humility is lacking in many today. I am of the opinion that, for women, the Women’s Lib Movement had a small role to play in this–but just a small role. The sin nature itself often looks for the opportunity to lift up self and, at times, put others down. However, being in tune with God through Christ causes one to have a humble disposition.

Spirit Filled

The qualities that comprised her faithfulness along with her humility made Elisabeth a woman that was receptive to the moving of the Holy Spirit upon her life. In verses 39-44 we see she was quite capable of sensing spiritual matters. Her dedicated life affected her unborn child in that he leaped for joy in her womb when the voice of God’s chosen vessel for the flesh of the Messiah reached his mother’s ear.

What reaches our ears? Is it godly? Is it going to affect our lives in such a way that it will have a positive godly affect upon our physical and spiritual children? It would be wonderful that everyone who names the Name of Christ would be filled with the Holy Spirit, and that to overflowing.

Joyous

While one would be naturally happy over such a miracle as occurred to Elisabeth,verses 57-58 indicate that God was not forgotten in the joy she celebrated amongst her friends and relatives. These people were wise enough to underscore a moral attribute of God, mercy–something we all need and must depend upon. God’s mercy here is described as great. Yet, greater still is when one receives the mercy God offers in Christ by surrendering to Him.

Spirit Obedient

Public domain image by Charles Foster from author’s collection and edited by author

When it came time to name her child, Zacharias and Elisabeth were obedient in spirit, defying the pressure of relatives and others who thought the child should be named Zacharias (vs. 59-60). Godly people do not take the easy way and succumb to peer pressure, but press upward in obedience. Christ must always come first, even before family (Luke 14:26). Those that follow the Holy Spirit and not the whim of others or their own are truly the sons of God (Romans 8:14). 

After John the Baptist was born his life reflected the same qualities that were found in his mother. May we carefully determine to pass a sense of godliness and spirit led obedience on to others.

Notes:

Lord willing, this article will be placed as a Bible GemLight in 2012.

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