ZECHARIAH TO HAVE A SON Luke 1:5-25
photo courtesy of Iconograns
5) In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6) Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. 7) But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.
8) Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9) he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10) And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
11) Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12) When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13) But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. 14) He will be a joy and a delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15) for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. 16) Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17) And he will go on before the Lord, in spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
18) Zechariah asked the angel,"How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."
19) The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20) And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."
21) Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22) When he came out, he could not speak to them. 23) They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
23) When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24) After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25) "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people." Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
COMMENTARY
This was Herod the Great, confirmed by the Roman Senate as king of the Jews. Only half Jewish himself and eager to please his Roman superiors, Herod expanded and beautified the Jerusalem temple--but he placed a Roman eagle over the entrance. When he helped the Jews, it was for political purposes and not because he cared about their God. Herod the Great later ordered a massacre of infants in a futile attempt to kill the infant Jesus, whom some were calling the new "king of the Jews."
Zechariah was a member of the Abijah division, on duty this particular week. Each morning a priest was to enter the Holy Place in the temple and burn incense. Lots were cast to decide who would enter the sacred room, and one day the lot fell to Zechariah. But it was not by chance that Zechariah was on duty and that he was chosen that day to enter the Holy Place--perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. God was guiding the events of history to prepare the way for Jesus to come to earth.
Zechariah and Elizabeth didn't merely go through the motions in following God's laws; they backed up their outward compliance with inward obedience. Unlike the religious leaders whom Jesus called hypocrites, Zechariah and Elizabeth did not stop with the letter of the law. Their obedience was from the heart, and that is why they are called "upright in the sight of God."
Incense was burned in the temple twice daily. When the people saw the smoke from the burning incense, they prayed. The smoke drifting heavenward symbolized their prayers ascending to God's throne.
John means "the Lord is gracioous," and Jesus means "the Lord saves." Both names were prescribed by God, not chosen by human parents.
Throughout the Gospels, God acts graciously and saves his people. He will not withhold salvation from anyone who sincerely comes to him.
We continue to see how God communicates with His creation, mankind. He gave us His written word for all to read and know Him. He also communicates through visions and angelic messengers. Do you know Him? We have a "pathway to salvation" page. Click here: http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html.
You are encouraged to leave a comment on this site with your thoughts about this message. You are also encouraged to share this post on your favorite social media if we have been a blessing to you. Thank you.
Throughout the Gospels, God acts graciously and saves his people. He will not withhold salvation from anyone who sincerely comes to him.
We continue to see how God communicates with His creation, mankind. He gave us His written word for all to read and know Him. He also communicates through visions and angelic messengers. Do you know Him? We have a "pathway to salvation" page. Click here: http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html.
You are encouraged to leave a comment on this site with your thoughts about this message. You are also encouraged to share this post on your favorite social media if we have been a blessing to you. Thank you.
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