Barrenness: A Reproach

Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb,

…and she conceived and gave birth to a son. “God has taken away my shame,” she said.

Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her.

And this went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival taunted her until she wept and would not eat.

At that time Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, for I rejoice in Your salvation. …

In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, “We will eat our own bread and provide our own clothes. Just let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!”

“The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”