Reproach
“Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” (Luke 1:23-25, ESV)
These are the words of Elizabeth after she became pregnant with John the Baptist. The word that stands out in this verse is “reproach.” It is a word found throughout the Scriptures. It refers to shame, personal disgrace, defamation of character, and loss of reputation.
Here are a few examples to help you understand what Elizabeth is saying in this passage:
And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” (Joshua 5:9, ESV) - God’s Word to Joshua after the children of Israel crossed the river Jordan and entered into Canaan, the Promised Land.
And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? (I Samuel 17:26, ESV) - David, speaking to the soldiers of Israel who were afraid to meet the challenge of the Philistine champion Goliath and meet him in battle.
These ten times you have cast reproach upon me; are you not ashamed to wrong me? (Job 19:3, ESV) - Job, to his so-called “friends,” who blamed his suffering on his sinful behavior.
Because of all my adversaries, I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. (Psalm 31:11, ESV) - The cry of David as he flees for his life from King Saul, who is seeking to defame him and kill him.
Reproaches have broken my heart so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none. (Psalm 69:20, ESV) - A psalm of David, used in the New Testament to refer to the rejection of Jesus by his own people.
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach (I Timothy 3:2) - A description of the reputation of church leaders in the community.
Elizabeth lived her entire married life bearing the weight of the shame and disgrace of her childlessness. Her reputation among “the people” (that is, the Jews, her friends, and neighbors) was, at best, one who was pitied, at worst, one who was thought to bear the stains of sin and disapproval of God.
There is so much to be said about this removal of Elizabeth’s reproach, but what stands out in my mind is this - and it is a major theme in Luke’s gospel - God, through Jesus, lifts us the downcast, the despised, and the rejects of our world, and gives them a place of honor in His kingdom.
What an awesome God we serve!
In Christ,
Dan
Tis the season to let God remove the reproach from your life.
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