Luke 1:5-25

[Glad4Mercy]

Luke 1: 5-25

Zecharias and Elizabeth are described as righteous before God, and blameless in their walk. What a wonderful couple they must have been. Of course, we know that righteous and blameless does not mean sinless, for “all have sinned“, ( except for Jesus), but they were righteous because of their faith in God, and they were blameless because they kept the commandments of God both outwardly and inwardly. In essence they worshipped God faithfully in the way He prescribed, and they loved God with all their heart, loved each other, and loved their neighbors as themselves.

They were both very old and still childless, which must have been very painful for them. In those days, being childless was thought to be a sign of being punished by God. In their case, of course, this was not true. Even in their painful trial, God had something stored up for them that was beyond their wildest dreams. They would be the parents of John the Baptist, the Messiah’s forerunner!!

Sometimes we are faithful to God, yet we still go through hard trials, and sometimes our prayers seem unanswered. Let us never lose heart! God always hears the righteous prayers of His people, and He will answer in His Perfect way and timing. God has something wonderful stored up for us. Be patient and wait upon the Lord and He will give you the desire of you heart! ( Psalm 37: 4-7 ) Let us hold fast to our confidence and hope. ( Hebrews 3:6) God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. ( Hebrews 11:6)

 

[CCW95A]

I find it very interesting that Zecharias doubted the information given to him from the angel that spoke to him, and as a result he was stricken so he could not "speak" until after his son John was born. I wonder how often we pray for certain things, and by our own words of mouth prevent the will of God from happening in our lives. As the scripture says.......

Pro 30:32.. If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth.

Thinking evil would be anything contrary to the will of God, and speaking them would for sure hinder them from coming to pass. Zecharias had a "hand" put over his mouth so as not to prevent the birth of his son John.

We also find that John the baptist the son of Zecharias also had doubt whether or not Jesus really was the Messiah after he was put into prison, and this not too long after he had already confessed Jesus to be the "lamb of God" who would take away the sins of the world.

Luke 7:19.. And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
Luke 7:20.. When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

The difference between Zecharias, and his son John was that God's plan for Zecharias was just starting to come forth in the birth of his son, while John's mission while being in prison was coming to and end, as it did not need any other work to fulfill.

 

[Glad4Mercy]

I find it very interesting that Zecharias doubted the information given to him from the angel that spoke to him, and as a result he was stricken so he could not "speak" until after his son John was born. I wonder how often we pray for certain things, and by our own words of mouth prevent the will of God from happening in our lives. As the scripture says.......

Pro 30:32.. If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth.

Thinking evil would be anything contrary to the will of God, and speaking them would for sure hinder them from coming to pass. Zecharias had a "hand" put over his mouth so as not to prevent the birth of his son John.

We also find that John the baptist the son of Zecharias also had doubt whether or not Jesus really was the Messiah after he was put into prison, and this not too long after he had already confessed Jesus to be the "lamb of God" who would take away the sins of the world.

Luke 7:19.. And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
Luke 7:20.. When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

The difference between Zecharias, and his son John was that God's plan for Zecharias was just starting to come forth in the birth of his son, while John's mission while being in prison was coming to and end, as it did not need any other work to fulfill.

Good post!

A similar thing to this happened to...

Sarah- She laughed at God's prophecy of Isaac

Mary- She didnt doubt, but asked how it could be possible for her to conceive (being a virgin)

Zechariah erred by asking "how will I know this". Basically, he was asking for a sign or some kind of confirmation. We don't need to ask God for a sign or a confirmation to confirm what He has already clearly said. That is unbelief.

Mary was not guilty of unbelief, but was asking for more information. Zechariah was asking the angel to somehow give supporting evidence for the promise.