Barren Mothers, Miraculous Births, and the God Who Pushes the Reset Button

The Strange Genealogy of Isaac

The Torah reading of Toldot starts with the genealogy of Isaac, and it is a very strange genealogy. It is strange because it is so very short. We know from earlier chapters of the book of Genesis that Abraham had a father, and we know his father's name and the names of Abraham's grandfather and great grandfather. In fact, in Genesis chapter 11 we have Abraham's genealogy from the time of Noah's son Shem, eleven generations back. Why does our chapter start with Isaac's genealogy and only give us two generations?

There are several possible answers to this question. Abraham's genealogy for several generations was pagan — idol worshipers. The text here dealing with Isaac and Rebecca is concentrating on the "now" and not on the past. A second reason why Abraham's full genealogy is not presented here could be that it was already given in chapter 11 of Genesis. The third reason why a more extensive genealogy of Isaac is not given here, is to accentuate the fact that all of God's promises to Abraham are now hanging by a thread — a thread that puts all of God's plan of redemption of mankind in danger.

The first round of humanity was a total failure, and it ended with Noah's flood, where the Lord pushed the reset button and only eight people were saved, and this too didn't eliminate the propensity for sin or the existence of rebellious and unfaithful human hearts. Now the Holy Spirit is trying to tell us — all of humanity — that with Isaac, God is pushing the reset button again, and it is not natural and not by the force of nature that this new family, the family of Isaac, is going to continue and survive and produce the seed promised to Abraham that will become a blessing and salvation for all the nations of the Earth.

Why Are All the Mothers of Israel Barren?

The first thing we learn in Isaac's genealogy after the death of his mother and father is that Rebecca his wife is not able to have children, and Isaac is pleading with God for his wife because she was barren. So the whole bloodline of Abraham and God's promises to Abraham are now in danger.

Have you ever considered this interesting fact — that all the mothers of the nation of Israel were not able to conceive and have children naturally? They were all "barren." Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Hannah — all had to have a miracle to give birth to children. Why do you think this is so?

Is it not interesting that Sarah was barren, and now her niece Rebecca is also barren, and Jacob's wife Rachel was also barren? What is the common link between these women, the mothers of the nation of Israel? It looks like a family problem — the family of Sarah and Laban her brother. All these women are related to Laban's household.

However, there is probably a much deeper spiritual reason. I propose to you, my dear brothers, that God is setting the stage for a birth, of Abrahamic descent, that will be from a virgin, and save the world. The Lord is preparing the stage of history for the ultimate Jewish King to be born from a virgin. Every major leader in the chain of biblical figures has a problematic birth. This should light up the light in our minds. God is trying to tell us something simple and logical.

I believe that God is trying to tell us the following: "Life is My gift to the inhabitants of My earth! All life is in My hands, and I give it and take it, and if I want a virgin to conceive a Son without the intervention of a man, what is your problem? Isaac, your father, was born miraculously. Jacob, your father, and his brother Esau, were born also from a barren Rebecca, whose womb was opened by God. So, don't doubt that I can and did have My only begotten Son conceived from a virgin."

King David also had problems related to his birth. As he himself relates in Psalm 51:5: "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me." Christians take this verse as if it speaks about all humans. There is no reason to ignore the pronouns of David in this text and condemn all of humanity. King David speaks only of his mother and himself, and not his father, and definitely not my mother, and I hope also not your mother.

In fact, the whole chain of history is organized from the very beginning, and all the prophets prophesied about the coming of the Messiah to fix what Adam and Eve spoiled in the beginning:

Pleading With the Lord — "Atar"

Let's go back to Isaac's pleading with the Lord for his wife Rebecca to have a child. The word translated "pleaded" in English is an interesting word. It is one of the words in Hebrew that is used for prayer, supplication — always to God — sacrifice, entreating, and worship. The Hebrew root of the word "pleaded" is "atar." It is a root that exists in all the Semitic languages, and today in modern Hebrew it is mainly in legal language for a "plea" to the court, or an "appeal." This is much more than just a prayer, or a request, or a pleading. It is a strong demand!

Do we today have the privilege and rights to have such a petition before the Almighty One of Israel? Can we demand for God to do what we ask? My answer to this question is both "yes" and "no." Yes, we have the right to demand God to keep His promises. Some of God's promises are time-sensitive, and He made them by His servants the prophets. So, yes, we can petition God, as if in the court of history, and say: "Lord it is time now for You to keep Your promises to Your children. We are desperate and close to giving up, and despairing when we see where this world of Yours is going. We trust You Lord to keep all Your promises and covenants promised to our Fathers. Please Lord, we plead with You, either give us strength and courage and faith to keep on waiting, or hurry up and perform Your duties and keep Your promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, King David, and Yeshua Your Son."

We can do this, but never for our own personal, sometimes selfish, requests. At least this is my opinion. For the sake of the world and our nations, we can knock on Heaven's door with boldness as children of the Most High, petitioning our Father, who always hears our prayers.