Zechariah and Elizabeth

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Hashe

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Mar 1, 2014
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In 1:6-7 we read two things about Zechariah and Elizabeth. They were ‘righteous before God’, that is they followed the law ‘blamelessly’, Zechariah was a priest who faithful served in the temple and yet they were childless despite being older. However despite their faithful service to God they lacked the one thing that would show his blessing on them to others. They were childless. Part of the God’s blessing on someone was seen in having children. This was in the eyes of others a ‘reproach’ (v25). Here we have two good people who have suffered disappointments.

There is no particular spiritual reason why they suffered this frustration. This was just a part of living in a fallen world. This particular disillusionment takes place over years. It is not something that we can go, at this point; this particular thing happened that was sad. It was just a slowly growing disappointment month after month after month.

Later we learn that God choose to use this particular disappointment for his purposes. He used Zechariah’s one and only time to offer incense as the time to announce he was starting a new visitation in Israel.

However during the many years of frustration they would not have known what was going to happen. It makes me wonder how I relate to people going through disappointments. Certainly God can come and intervene to sort out the frustration but if and when that happens we can never know.
It makes me wonder if I ever judge people who are going through disappointments as if they have brought this on themselves. It makes me wonder if I treat people less because they haven’t received some blessing that I have.
 

Purity

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May 20, 2013
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Do you think Zechariah ceased praying for a child?
What do you think was the nature of his prayer in the Holy Place?
 

Hashe

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Mar 1, 2014
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I suspect they had ceased praying for a child. Elizabeth thought it was beyond her, my guess is they wouldn't expect a miracle.
Zechariah would have had some specific prayers for Israel that he was required to pray, but perhaps he had some of his own personal ones as well. Although I wouldn't have expected it to be about having a child. That seems to be outside of their thinking.
 

Purity

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May 20, 2013
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Hashe said:
I suspect they had ceased praying for a child. Elizabeth thought it was beyond her, my guess is they wouldn't expect a miracle.
Zechariah would have had some specific prayers for Israel that he was required to pray, but perhaps he had some of his own personal ones as well. Although I wouldn't have expected it to be about having a child. That seems to be outside of their thinking.
I tend to agree with you.

I will place some rough notes below for your consideration:

“Zacharias” - “Yahweh hath remembered”. He certainly had, when all circumstances indicate he
had forgotten him Psa 77:9. Nb. “Hath God forgotten to be gracious John 1
• (Definite play on name meanings later Luke1:72-73)
“Course of Abiah” - “Yahweh is father”. Eighth course in David’s kingdom 1 Chron 24:10.
Father is Yahweh – 8th – in David’s arrangement Rom 1:4
“Daughters of Aaron“ - Priests could marry outside his own tribe Lev21:7. Emphasis is on purity
of Zacharias’ credentials
“Elizabeth” - “Oath of Ail” [eternal matters] cp “The everlasting Ail” Gen 21:32-33. Abrahamic
promise and oath
• (Name of Aaron’s wife) (of Judah) Exod 6:23
Luke 1:6 “Both Righteous” - ie “Before God” - contrast Luke 18:9
“Walking” - Theirs was an active faith, in both “moral” and “ceremonial” things
“Blameless” - ie of “The righteousness which is of the law” Phil 3:6
Luke 1:7 “Elizabeth was barren” - This fact notorious. She was called “The barren one” V36
“Well stricken in Years” - LXX uses same expression of Abraham and Sarah (Gen 18:11)
Luke 1:9 “His lot” - third of four lots taken. This honour was a once in a lifetime!
“Burn incense” - Most distinctive honour of priesthood 2 Chron 26:18. His nearest approach was
a symbol of prayer Psa 141:2 cp V10, Num 16:47
“The temple” - Grk: “Naos” (Nave) - the holy place
Luke 1:11 “An angel” - Not since Malachi (messenger) had Yahweh spoken
“Right side” - Most dexterous side, indicative of Yahweh’s power to save (through prayer) Psa 60:5; 108:6 (Nb context “hear” and “answer”)
“Altar of incense” - Nb its special significance.
• Alone connected with Most Holy on day of Atonement Exod 30:10
• Had a “crown” of gold Exod 25:24 “Throne of Grace” Heb 4:16
• Every House had to be a replica! Exod 30:3(mg) cp Deut 22:8
Luke 1:12 “Troubled” - Like Daniel despite his being “Blameless”
Luke1:13 “Prayer is heard” - “Deeis” = “specific request”. This is the hour of prayer. His only visit with
incense after years of expectation
“Bear thee a son” - Context indicates prayer for his own son:
(1) it may be an old request, lately forgotten
(2) or indicative of his faith
“John” - “Yah-hanan” = “Yahweh is Gracious”. John became a messenger of grace Vv77-78 Nb
John 1:15-16, Titus 2:11-13 - end of law
V14 “Joy and gladness” - “to be cheerful” – “ to jump for joy”. John himself experienced this first John
3:29, Elizabeth the second V44

Purity
 

Arnie Manitoba

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Mar 8, 2011
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Very good post Hashe ..... several years ago I came to the same conclusion ..... myself and many good Christians I know were often surrounded by disappointments .... almost like they were a pre-cursor before God had some amazing things in store for them