CLASS 6 WOMBS AND TRAVAIL SECTION 1 Wombs Under Attack Throughout scripture some of the most significant wombs were barren before they ever produced what God intended. Sarah, Rebekah, Samson's mother, and Elizabeth all experienced barrenness. This is not accidental. The enemy often attacks the womb before he attacks the promise because he fears what will eventually be born. Wombs become prophetic pictures of intercession. Just as a natural womb carries life until the appointed time of birth, intercessors carry burdens, assignments, and purposes until they are manifested in the earth. Whether male or female, every intercessor carries a spiritual womb. Sarah's womb remained barren until old age and then the Lord spoke. Genesis 18:10–11 (NKJV) “And He said, ‘I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.’ Now Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.” Sarah also becomes a picture of intercessors attempting to pass their burden to someone who does not have the capacity to carry it. When the promise delayed, she attempted to take Abraham's seed and give it to Hagar. Genesis 16:2 (NKJV) “So Sarai said to Abram, ‘See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.’” God gives certain burdens to certain people because He has determined who has the capacity to birth them. One of the frustrations of intercession is realizing that others around you do not always carry the same burden you carry. Sometimes this can manifest as an unholy zeal to get everyone praying the thing God called you to pray. Isaac belonged in Sarah's womb. The burden belonged to her. Rebekah presents another picture of intercession. Like Sarah, her womb was barren until prayer was made. Genesis 25:21 (NKJV) “Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.”