Problem:

The Bible exalts the position of motherhood saying, “Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine ... your children like olive plants” (

Ps. 128:3

).

Nevertheless, mothers were commanded to bring a sacrifice to the altar for “purification” and “atonement” after the birth of a child (

Lev. 12:5–7

).

Solution:

Some take this sacrifice as merely symbolic, but even then it must symbolize something that is literally true. It seems best to make a distinction between the office of motherhood as such and motherhood in a fallen world. God did create a wife for Adam and command them to have children (

Gen. 1:27–28

). In this original and pristine sense, motherhood is pure and unstained.

Unfortunately, since the Fall of Eve (with Adam) human nature is subject to corruption and mortality. David confessed, “in sin my mother conceived me” (

Ps. 51:5

), reflecting the fallen condition we inherit. Since childbirth, like everything else in this fallen world, is subject to this corruption, it too needed purification. After all, “the plowing of the wicked are sin” (

Prov. 21:4

) in a fallen world. As a result of the Fall, every woman bears children in pain (

Gen. 3:16

). It is appropriate, then, that mothers be reminded of God’s gracious provision for them and through them by the offering of a sacrifice on the birth of a child.