November 5, 2026 -It's Worth It
“[22] Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down, spreading its wings over Bozrah. In that day the hearts of Edom’s warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor.”
Jeremiah 49:22 NIV
“[24] Damascus has become feeble, she has turned to flee and panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her, pain like that of a woman in labor.”
Jeremiah 49:24 NIV
“[43] The king of Babylon has heard reports about them, and his hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped him, pain like that of a woman in labor.”
Jeremiah 50:43 NIV
I must admit that when I am reading or listening to the bible readings especially ones like the prophets or the law, I have trouble staying focused. So when something catches my attention it is rare. Today the only thing that caught my attention in all the reading was the woman in labor references. Especially the "pain like that of a woman in labor" statements. I know that these are all talking about Israels enemies and that it really is talking about sudden intense pain that is unavoidable, but the bible is packed full of these metaphors.
When I was reading today, I thought about the fact that labor pain is temporary which got me thinking about some of the other times that the metaphor is used. The Israelites suffer like a woman in labor when they are suddenly put into difficult and painful situations as a result of their sin. But that situation is for a time and results is a rebirth of their reliance of God. It is promised and inevitable but so is the rebirth. In the New Testament it is used to say that the return of Jesus is inevitable and that the pain we suffer that leads up to that second coming is worth enduring for the promised deliverance.
I hope that when Jesus returns that this metaphor still hold true. I know that when I think about the birth of my children, I remember that there was pain, but I don't remember the pain itself. I know that every part of what I went through in pregnancy and delivery was worth it. I think that is what it will be like when we are living with the Lord. We may remember that we went through trials and pain and difficulties when we were on this earth, but we won't be able to remember the pain, and it will be worth all of it.
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