Ok, so I am going to talk about something I have never experienced-pregnancy. I have never been pregnant nor do I expect to be pregnant, but I do want to talk about the process.
Did you know that Ovulation, the release of an egg from the ovary happens on the 14th day of the woman’s cycle? And did you know that Passover was set by the Lord to occur on the 14th day of the month?
Did you know there is a window of only 24 hours that an egg can be fertilized after being released from the ovary? And did you know that 24 hours after the Passover was the Feast of Unleavened Bread? And did you know that Jesus was sacrificed on Passover and He was dead in the tomb the next day during the Feast of Unleavened Bread? Jesus said He was like a seed that has to be put into the ground and die before it can sprout.
Did you know that the fertilized egg travels two to six days in the fallopian tube before implanting in the womb’s lining? And did you know that two to six days following Passover was the Feast of Firstfruits? Passover was on the 14th day of the month and the Feast of Firstfruits was the following Saturday (Sabbath) which is why it could be two to six days later. Is this interesting?
Did you know that at approximately 50 days of gestation, the fetus develops the appearance of a human? And did you know 50 days after Passover was the Feast of Weeks? It was the 50th day, the Feast of Weeks that the Holy Spirit came on what we call Pentecost and the church was born giving a new type of appearance to God’s people from the Old Law to the New Covenant.
Did you know that approximately the seventh month of gestation, the baby’s hearing is developed? And did you know that the first day of the 7th month was the Feast of Trumpets where the Israelites would blast trumpets throughout acknowledging God’s presence? Hmmm….
Did you know that also in the 7th month of gestation, the baby’s hemoglobin changes from type F (fetus) to type A (adult) which is preparing the baby to be able to live outside the womb breathing air instead of the mother breathing for them? And did you know the Day of Atonement was on the tenth day of the 7th month? This was a sacrifice made once a year delivering people from the wages of their sin making it possible for them to continue to live.
Did you know the baby’s lungs are developed enough for the baby to move outside the womb with air in their lungs? And did you know that the Feast of Tabernacles, which celebrated the time the people worshipped God with the breath of their lungs in a temporary tent was the 15th day of the 7th month?
Did you know that babies are born into the world approximately after 280 days of gestation coming out of the dark womb into the light of day? And did you know the Feast of Hanukah is held ten lunar cycles, approximately 280 days into the Jewish calendar? It was after the defeat of Antiochus, they celebrated victory for Israel and its new birth out from under the darkness of Antiochus.
This was a study by a well-known Messianic Jewish Rabbi, Zola Levitt. It is amazing. But while all of this development is going on, the mother is suffering. Morning sickness, being uncomfortable, I remember my oldest son would always try to move up under my wife’s ribs. I can still see her in my mind using her hands to move him to a more comfortable position. Yet, throughout all of this suffering, the Mom ‘glows.’ She is glowing because she can’t wait to see the beautiful baby. Even in the peak of pain during delivery, there is an expectation of this glorious moment. And once the baby is born and placed on the mother’s chest, the pain has been overshadowed, forgotten.
The Lord compares our suffering on Earth to birthing pains. Through the development of the baby in the womb, as the mother suffers, God is teaching an incredible lesson.
As we go through the most difficult times in our life, the Lord is developing our faith through perseverance and pain. Our Spirit was born again when we accepted Christ, but we still live in this dark world. But there is coming a day when all of the suffering, which God has used to develop our faith will lead to a glorious birth into eternity with God forever. The Bible says when this happens, there are no more tears, no more sorrow, no more pain.
Now, if a newborn baby can overshadow the pains of birth, how much more will the glory of Heaven overshadow the pain, sorrow, and hardship of this life! And this brings us to our Verse of the Day:
Romans 8:18
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us
(NIV)
In whatever ways you may be suffering today, just know that God is developing your faith and one day, you will leave the dark womb of this place into the glorious light of eternal presence with God. It may hurt for a while, but what a day that shall be!
Live Blessed and Be a Blessing!
Pastor Lee is a pastor and Biblical life coach. He has been helping people through counseling, pastoring, teaching, and preaching for 20+ years. His ministry focuses on helping people overcome the strongholds of the past and press on into God’s plan for an abundant life. He has been married to his wife, Amy for 28 years. He has three sons and one daughter-in-love. For more about Pastor Lee or to get some Biblical advice, go to the About page.
