Too often, we rush we fail to slow down and consider the common sense of a Bible passage - in context. Like a learner in a reading class, let's break down a passage to see if we can comprehend it better. | Luke 1 (NASB): 57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. Some Questions:
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There's not much in these two verses, but they are still important. We're just about to get into the last section of Luke 1 which concerns itself with the baby John, but first, his mother gives birth. Nothing is told to us about special cravings or any difficulties with Elizabeth's pregnancy, and we have no reason to believe that either she or Mary had any. With the Holy Spirit in control of the nature in this situation, why would there be any problems?
I don't know if anyone hosted a baby shower for the priest's wife, but we can see that her friends are happy for her. Like Elizabeth, her friends take this birth to be God shining His blessing upon her. No longer is she "cursed" by not providing her husband with a son. The term used in verse 58 is great mercy. It's interesting to see a celebration in relation to a birth. We do the same when a newborn makes it into the world. The word rejoicing seems stronger than just playing some diaper guessing games at a baby shower. It's more than cake and punch. Rejoicing lets us know that they are expressing happiness and thanksgiving to God for this very special child.