Section One

Barrenness

Not being able to have children was seen as a serious issue in Biblical times. This is for two main reasons (both of which are related to other topics discussed on other pages): 1. No children meant no future, no-one to continue the family line. 2. God was seen as being at work in the birth of children. Consequently, barrenness could be seen as being the result of sin. It is also worth noting that any blame for not being to have children is usually laid at the doors of women - male infertility gained little attention. It is also worth noting that there are examples of God hearing the cries of the barren and responding to them. For a more detailed look at this topic, see Anne Richards’ book Children in the Bible, Chapter 4. Some verses on the topic of barrenness: 1. A passage that records how God will look after the Israelites if they listen to what God is saying and obey. The ways that God look after them include taking away sickness and that no-one will miscarry or be barren. 2. In a similar thought, God’s people will be more blessed than other people. This includes that no man or woman would be childless. 3. One of Job’s friends says that the company of those who are godless will be barren. 4. Job longs that God should being judgement. In a list of things he sees as wrong, fatherless children are snatched away when young and poor people’s children are seized to pay off debts. Also, barren or childless women and widows are preyed upon. He expects that these people doing wrong will suffer, including that the ‘womb forgets them’. 5. In a passage about restoration, barren women, childless women and those who have never been in labour are encouraged to sing.