As soon as a
child was born it was washed, and rubbed with
salt (
Ezek. 16:4), and then swathed with bandages (
Job 38:9;
Luke 2:7, 12). A
Hebrew mother remained forty days in seclusion after the
birth of a son, and after the birth of a
daughter double that number of days. At the close of that period she entered into the
tabernacle or
temple and offered up a
sacrifice of
purification (
Lev. 12:1-8;
Luke 2:22). A son was circumcised
on the eighth
day after his birth, being thereby consecrated to
God (
Gen. 17:10-12; comp.
Rom. 4:11).
Seasons of misfortune are likened to the pains of a
woman in travail, and
seasons of prosperity to the joy that succeeds child-birth (
Isa. 13:8;
Jer. 4:31;
John 16:21, 22). The natural birth is referred to as the emblem of the new birth (
John 3:3-8;
Gal. 6:15;
Titus 3:5, etc.).
I may not see in front of me, But I can see for miles around when I look over my shoulder, and Lord, it`s clear. You`ve brought me here, So faithful every step of the way. What can I do but follow you, For You are the Way, the Truth, the Life, And You`ve promised never to leave me, My Savior, my friend, From beginning to end. 
