The world is changing rapidly, and people’s thinking has evolved significantly from traditional views on women’s roles. Not long ago, couples without children drew a lot of attention, often facing pressure and unsolicited advice on home remedies or advanced medical treatments to conceive. Now, there’s a notable increase in the number of couples who voluntarily choose not to have children. Meanwhile, the proportion of couples struggling with infertility and seeking to conceive has become relatively smaller compared to couples who do not want to have children.
The Agony
Then there are some who deeply desire to have children but are unable to often pray for God’s mercy. Adding to their distress, Paul, in one of his letters, suggests that childbearing is a sign of salvation for women because it fulfils God’s punishment. By that logic, if men sweat while working, they would also be saved for fulfilling God’s punishment.
“But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with propriety.” – 1 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)
Paul’s view here can mislead believers into thinking they can achieve salvation by enduring God’s punishment, implying that their deeds can save them. However, in his letter to the Ephesians, Paul affirms that we are saved by God’s grace, not by our actions.
Childless couples often face societal pressure and intrusive questions, pushing them to explore various methods to conceive. Fortunately, couples who choose not to have children are spared this emotional turmoil, as they are confident in their decision and know they can have children if they wish. When God has a plan for both types of couples, why should we interfere in their lives and subject them to peer pressure? The Bible narrates the agony experienced by a woman whose womb God has closed, highlighting the deep emotional struggle involved.
Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. – 1 Samuel 1:6 (NIV)
The primary source of her anguish was comparing her situation to that of her husband’s second wife, Peninnah, who had children. Peninnah, aware of Hannah’s comparisons, used her own motherhood to provoke Hannah and stir her anger. Comparing ourselves to those in seemingly better situations can turn our feelings of helplessness into deep agony. God blesses each of us differently, and longing for the blessings we see in others’ lives can cause us to overlook the unique blessings God has given us.
Sympathy Seekers
Once, Jesus asked his disciples if they also wanted to leave him, as others had done. Simon Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). In the wilderness, Jesus answered the devil, saying, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4). These scriptures highlight the life-giving power of God’s word.
Unfortunately, some people do not experience this power, choosing instead to rely on others’ sympathy. They find satisfaction in attracting attention using their problems and surprising others with their perseverance. These individuals fall victim to the comforting words of others and miss what they truly need in their lives. In the story of Hannah, her husband Elkanah validated her situation and showed her sympathy.
But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb. Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons? ” – 1 Samuel 1:5&8 (NIV)
Hannah’s desire to receive a child from God was never swayed by Elkanah’s sympathy. His comforting words did not reach her heart, and Elkanah found it difficult to encourage her to eat. Hannah did not fast intentionally; rather, her determination to receive God’s blessing made her lose her appetite. According to the scriptures, once others finished eating, Hannah went to the temple and poured out her anguish to the Lord. Often, we are comforted by those who show us sympathy, leading us to share our troubles with them in vain. However, when Hannah poured out her heart to God, she found peace, ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.
The Pledge
In her agony, Hannah pledged that if God gave her a son, she would dedicate him to the LORD for all his life. This was not unusual at the time, as the law stated that every firstborn belonged to the Lord (Exodus 13:2). Today, many childless couples make similar pledges, promising to dedicate their child to God as Hannah did. However, they often find it difficult to fulfil this pledge once the child grows up and resists. When the pledge is unfulfilled, the parents live in fear and attribute any misfortunes in their child’s life to this non-cooperation. This instils fear and guilt in the child as well.
Is it right to commit an unborn child to the service of God without the child’s consent? Is the Old Testament law still relevant today? Some believe that God closed Hannah’s womb so she would dedicate her child to His service. However, God does not need to force us into difficult situations to achieve His purposes. If that were the case, He wouldn’t have sent His son to bear our sins and free us from the law that leads to eternal death. God does not delay things in our lives to forcibly get what He wants; He delays to methodically fulfil His purposes. Many wonder why God delays the second coming of Jesus, but a few forgiven children of God understand that He waits for each sinner to repent so none would perish.
Similarly, God wanted to remove Eli’s sons from the priesthood and needed a boy at the right time. Thus, He closed Hannah’s womb to align with the timeline of removing Eli’s sons. God delays to accomplish His purposes in our lives. People often succumb to societal pressure without stopping to understand God’s will. For instance, before Saul’s battle against the Philistines, he disobeyed by offering a sacrifice himself instead of waiting for Samuel (1 Samuel 13:9). Because Saul refused to listen to God, Samuel told him he had forfeited the hope of an eternal dynasty in Israel (1 Samuel 13:13).
Take Away
When couples are not blessed with children, it is not appropriate to dedicate the unborn to God’s service as Hannah did. In Hannah’s time, God chose His servants in various ways. However, in our time, God has chosen everyone to be His servants, so there is no need to specifically dedicate the firstborn to God’s service. Instead, every child should be nurtured in the word of God to serve Him. As Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) states, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Therefore, childless parents do not need to pledge anything to God, but they should understand that they and their future children are already ordained by God as His servants.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light – (1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
The Jordan Valley 
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