God’s “womb”

 

 

 

 

 

“Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. …”

(Nehemiah 9:19a).

 

 

 

 

"What is “compassion”?  “Compassion” is derived from the Latin words 'pati' and 'cum,' combining to mean 'to suffer with.'  In other words, “compassion” urges us to go to the places where there is pain, to enter the places of suffering, and to share brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish together (Nowen).  However, the meaning of this Hebrew word “compassion” is quite interesting.  The reason is because “compassion” is the Hebrew word 'רַחֲמִים' (rachamim), which has the meaning of 'womb.'  It raises the question of why the Bible uses a word that means 'womb' in its original Hebrew when speaking of God's compassion.

 

Therefore, while searching for information about the womb on the internet, I came across an article titled 'Wisdom of the Womb' and summarized it in three points:

 

  • The unique feature of the uterus is its ability to accept what can be considered foreign substances, specifically the fertilized egg (the modified egg formed when sperm and egg meet in the fallopian tube), without any rejection response. Furthermore, it also accepts the subsequent development of placental blood vessels that penetrate into the uterine lining.  The reason for accommodating the infiltration of placental blood vessels is to facilitate communication with the uterine blood vessels, supplying nutrients and allowing the placenta to grow.  It's important to note that this doesn't mean the uterus accepts an unlimited infiltration of placental blood vessels.  After a certain point, it inhibits further infiltration to prevent the placental blood vessels from circulating throughout the mother's body.

 

  • Another unique feature is that while most cells undergo a continuous cycle of generation and death, the uterine lining secretes hormones that prevent natural cell death for up to ten months.
  • Additionally, the uterus initially appears robust and thick in early pregnancy, but as pregnancy progresses, it becomes thinner and more pliable, making it easier for the fetus to move against the mother's abdominal wall.

 

Here, we learn about God's compassion and His wisdom...

 

  • Just as the uterus does not reject and accepts what can be considered foreign substances, our Heavenly Father does not reject and instead accepts us, sinners.

 

  • Furthermore, just as the uterus accepts the infiltration of placental blood vessels to nourish the placenta and allow it to grow, so too does our Lord Jesus Christ accept even the infiltration of sin of us sinners. In other words, He bears our sins on the cross, supplying us with the bread of life.  Therefore, those who believe in Jesus, who is this bread of life, no longer allow sin infiltration and prevent sinful communication from defiling their body and soul.

 

  • Moreover, just as the uterine lining prevents the natural death of cells during a baby's growth in the womb and, in later pregnancy, becomes thinner and more pliable to facilitate the baby's movements against the mother's abdominal wall, the Holy Spirit enables us to live a vibrant and spiritually active life within the Lord, allowing us to move freely in our faith journey.

 

                Through the compassion of the Triune God, you and I are being led by God's guidance, much like the Israelites.  This merciful God will never abandon us but continues to guide us.  God desires to protect us in His embrace, even when we betray and forsake Him countless times.  He will never leave us alone in this wilderness.  The reason is because just as a fetus would die if left outside the mother's womb, we would perish if God were to abandon us.  Therefore, God will never forsake us and guides us.  How can we know this?  Think of the phrase from Nehemiah 9:19, “Because of your great compassion ….”  Translated again, it means that God bestows "abundant compassion" upon us.  In other words, it signifies that God extends His compassion to us not just once or twice, but countless times.  God wants to be with us always, not leaving us alone in the wilderness of this world, willing to share our suffering, and that is the God who is your God and mine.