Mary and the empty womb

“Mary” is the Anglicization of the Hellenized version of the Hebrew name “Miriam.”   The only Miriam in the Old Testament is the sister of Moses and Aaron, who plays a prominent role in the Exodus account.  Although the case cannot be proven conclusively, the name “Miriam” appears to bear some etymological relationship to “mar”, the Hebrew word for bitter.   This is further reinforced when we consider that Miriam was notorious for her and Aaron’s rebellion against Moses, precipitated by a bitter complaint (Numbers 12).   While Naomi does not call herself “Miriam” to accent her bitterness towards God, the name she does make up (Ruth 1:19) is based on the same root word.   Therefore, Naomi’s “bitter” name is simply another version of the name which would become “Mary” in the New Testament.

    Only two “Marys” (Miriam and Naomi) are found in the Old Testa ment, and both are infamous for their bitterness.  In the Gospel era, however, Marys pop up all over the place.  There is Mary, mother of our Lord;  Mary Magdalene;  Mary, mother of James;  Mary, mother of Clopas;  Mary, mother of John Mark;  and Mary, sister of Martha.   None of these women has a reputation for bitterness.  Indeed, if anything, they are well-known for remarkable faithfulness and piety.  Thus, the reason for their names must be found someplace other than in their personal characters.  Why would so many Israelite parents be naming their daughters “Bitter” around the time of Christ’s earthly ministry?

    The answer can be found in a consideration of redemptive history.  The last writing prophet of the Old Covenant Era, Micah, prophesied that the Day of the Lord was coming, on which the sun of righteousness would rise with healing in his wings (Malachi 4:2).  Four hundred years had passed, during which Israel waited eagerly for one like Elijah to come as a herald for this Messiah (Malachi 4:5-6).   Four hundred years is a long time to wait.  Many, no doubt, began to wonder if their hope was in vain.  I am reminded of a line from Langston Hughes:

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?

    Hope denied very quickly sours into frustration.  The dream of the Messiah seemed endlessly deferred.  Israel became bitter in her frustration, naming her daughters “Mary.”

    Mary, the mother of Jesus, is thus representative of all Israel.  Figuratively speaking, she is the bitter barren woman.  Recall the recurrent Old Testament theme of the empty womb.  Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Hannah all were barren, and each consequently experienced some degree of bitterness.  Naomi’s bitterness also grew out of her empty womb, although her childlessness was the consequence of her sons’ deaths, along with menopause (Ruth 1:11-13).  In each case, these women were barren because the Lord had withheld conception from them, and each one had to wait on the Lord to open her womb.  

    The empty womb, then, represents the bitterness of frustrated hope, along with the requirement to wait on the Lord to reverse the situation and bring blessing.  Mary’s virgin womb was empty, symbolizing the bitterness of Israel, which was without her promised Messiah.  Just as a virgin cannot conceive a child by herself, Israel could not create her own Savior.  The nation would have to wait patiently for the Lord to send the Christ, just as a virgin must not become bitter, but instead wait patiently for the Lord to send children to her.

    The empty womb motif is a type, a prefigurement, which finds its fulfillment in the birth of Jesus.  When Israel’s Redeemer came through her, Mary became Pleasant, singing songs of praise to the Lord (Luke 1:46-55).  As she represented a ll of Israel, Christ’s birth is surrounded by exclamations and songs of thanksgiving from many (Luke 1:38, 41-45, 67-79; 2:13-14, 29-32).  With the Advent of Christ, Judah became a pleasant land again.  Mary, as she represents the bitterness of Israel, was prefigured in the bitter Naomi, who was made truly Pleasant when a redeemer was born to her, through Ruth (Ruth 4:14-15). 

    The meaning of the symbolic pattern of barrenness in Scripture thus becomes clear.  When the Lord opens the empty womb, he provides not merely a child, but a redeemer.  Its implications for you should also be obvious.  The Lord will reverse your bitterness through Jesus Christ, the Redeemer he has given to you.  In Christ alone shall your life be made pleasant and sweet.