*What is the significance of Elizabeth's barren status in Luke 1?

There are several points of comparison between Elizabeth and Mary's conception and pregnancy that are worth our attention when studying Luke 1. I'll be handling each of the following questions in separate posts.

*What (if any) is the purpose of the close proximity in the stories of Elizabeth and Mary's pregnancies in Luke 1? (Thursday)

*What is the significance of Elizabeth's age in Luke 1? (Yesterday)

*What is the significance of Elizabeth's barren status in Luke 1? (Today)

*What is the significance of Mary's virginity in Luke 1? (Tomorrow)

A disclaimer prior to sharing more thoughts: Not every anecdote or particular singular detail recorded holds some special, unique, or "hidden" purpose. God's Word is God's revelation to his people. It is through God's Word that the wisdom of the world is often foolishness or simple to God (Job 5:13, Psalm 94:11, 1 Corinthians 3:19). We are not to become biblical astrologers in our study and reading of God's Word. In our study we're not looking for mysterious jewels of hidden lore, or troves of locked away knowledge behind superstitious language. We're seeking to follow along with, and carefully consider the intentions of God in revealing himself through the text at hand.

*What is the significance of Elizabeth's barren status in Luke 1?

There are at least (most likely there are more) two significant intentions of Luke in bringing attention to the barren status of Elizabeth. 

First, we cannot understate the human impossibility of conception for those that biologically are unable to conceive. There are a great many couples whom I know and love who have been told from doctors that they will not be able to have children. Some have gone on to have biological children despite a doctor’s prognosis. Some couples adopt.

The reality of this news isn't a first world problem or a problem inaugurated in the recent digital age. Men and women for as long back as recorded history has been remembered have struggled to produce children. This was true for Zechariah and Elizabeth. 

Luke isn't squeamish about sharing the details that Zechariah and Elizabeth are not virgins, it isn't as though they haven't had a child because they've lacked the appropriate attempts. Nor were Zechariah and Elizabeth able to conceive but lost children in the womb. Luke puts it plainly that they've tried, and cannot conceive. In Luke 1:7 we're told:

7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

This adjective that's used στεῖρα (steira - Strong’s G4723) describes either male or females. When describing males or animals the adjective means “hard” or “stiff”, whereas when describing females the adjective means “a woman who does not conceive”. 

Lest there be any confusion or any uncertainty about what Luke is driving at, Zechariah and Elizabeth have tried to conceive, but - despite their many years together - have not been able to. It will take something out of the ordinary, indeed something extra-ordinary to change the outcome of Zechariah and Elizabeth’s attempts for conception. 

Here Luke hints at the necessity of the Divine work. Unless God enters into this story, Zechariah and Elizabeth will remain unable to concieve. Just as Abraham and Sarah had no hope of seeing God's promises fulfilled without God's provision, so too for Zechariah and Elizabeth. Indeed, so too for us, unless God provides for us, we are without hope. Our hope is found in the God who provided against all odds for Abraham and Sarah, who provided extra-ordinarily for Zechariah and Elizabeth and who provided for our admittance to the Kingdom of God through Jesus.

Second,

Once again we see a comparison between God's promise of a child to Abraham and Sarah and the announced coming of John to Zechariah and Elizabeth. The explicit emphasis of age and barrenness is found in only one other place in the Old Testament. While Sarah was unable to conceive until God’s appointed time, so too for Elizabeth. Abraham was promised a miraculous child from God - so too for Zechariah. The barren status of Elizabeth hearkens us back to Sarah and the birth of a promised child to a woman far too old, earthly speaking, to otherwise conceive and deliver a healthy child. 

Elizabeth’s response highlights her own understanding of the events that were transpiring. She did not read into these events a freak accident of nature or a final conclusion to all her and her husband’s martial efforts. Elizabeth response tells us all we need to how about her own hermeneutics (interpretive principles) 

25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” 

Luke’s gospel begins with this amazing arrival onto the scene - an angel who came and shared that a child will be born. This child will bring many back to the heart of God and will cause joy among many. Out of a drought would come plenty, and out of a famine would come feasting. 

Contrasted with the old age of Elizabeth and repeated attempts at conception is the youthful virgin who would also be visited by Gabriel with news...more on that tomorrow.