Two Inspired Songs (Luke 1:39–55)
As soon as the angel departed, Mary immediately set out for Elisabeth’s home. She went “with haste,” (like Abraham!) for the saving work of God in Christ naturally creates urgency in those who grasp it. Shepherds hurried to find the babe in a manger (2:6), the faithful “hasten” the coming day of God through holy living (2 Pet. 3:12), and those who long for the resurrection feel an even deeper sense of immediacy (John 11:31).
Where did Mary go in her eagerness? Possibly to Hebron, high in the hill country of Judah (2,600 feet), a city of the Aaronic priesthood (Josh. 21:10–11), and the burial place of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (vv.54–55). Yet Ramah also has a claim, despite being outside ancient Judah, because this section is rich with allusions to the story of Hannah and Samuel. The parallel is striking: Samuel prepared the way for David, and John would prepare the way for the Son of David. Matthew’s use of the Rachel-at-Ramah prophecy (2:18) may also hint at where Jesus spent his earliest days.
Mary and Elisabeth’s meeting was filled with joyful excitement. Elisabeth’s unborn son responded to Mary’s greeting, for “the babe leaped in her womb” (See v.15 & John 3:29). This may have been Elisabeth’s first clear sign of her own pregnancy. Yet her personal blessing was overshadowed by Mary’s news, the imminent birth of the Messiah.
Her joy overflowed into praise, using a word found in the Septuagint for temple worship (1 Chr. 15:28; 16:4, 5, 42). Heaven itself guided her ecstatic response: “And whence is this to me?” She echoed Rebekah’s astonished words when the twins struggled within her: “If it be so, why is this to me?” (Gen. 25:22). Yet whereas Rebekah’s experience foretold conflict, Elisabeth’s child leaped for joy. Mary would now explain everything to her, what the angel had revealed in Nazareth.
This moment points forward to a greater revelation. When Messiah appears not merely through an angelic message but as the Sun of Righteousness, those who fear the Lord (Mal. 4:2) will “leap” like calves released from the stall. A new Elijah-prophet will again turn hearts of fathers to children and children to fathers, so the land is not struck with a curse.
With remarkable spiritual insight, these two godly women perceived the meaning and magnitude of all that was unfolding before them.
As soon as the angel departed, Mary immediately set out for Elisabeth’s home. She went “with haste,” (like Abraham!) for the saving work of God in Christ naturally creates urgency in those who grasp it. Shepherds hurried to find the babe in a manger (2:6), the faithful “hasten” the coming day of God through holy living (2 Pet. 3:12), and those who long for the resurrection feel an even deeper sense of immediacy (John 11:31).
Where did Mary go in her eagerness? Possibly to Hebron, high in the hill country of Judah (2,600 feet), a city of the Aaronic priesthood (Josh. 21:10–11), and the burial place of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (vv.54–55). Yet Ramah also has a claim, despite being outside ancient Judah, because this section is rich with allusions to the story of Hannah and Samuel. The parallel is striking: Samuel prepared the way for David, and John would prepare the way for the Son of David. Matthew’s use of the Rachel-at-Ramah prophecy (2:18) may also hint at where Jesus spent his earliest days.
Mary and Elisabeth’s meeting was filled with joyful excitement. Elisabeth’s unborn son responded to Mary’s greeting, for “the babe leaped in her womb” (See v.15 & John 3:29). This may have been Elisabeth’s first clear sign of her own pregnancy. Yet her personal blessing was overshadowed by Mary’s news, the imminent birth of the Messiah.
Her joy overflowed into praise, using a word found in the Septuagint for temple worship (1 Chr. 15:28; 16:4, 5, 42). Heaven itself guided her ecstatic response: “And whence is this to me?” She echoed Rebekah’s astonished words when the twins struggled within her: “If it be so, why is this to me?” (Gen. 25:22). Yet whereas Rebekah’s experience foretold conflict, Elisabeth’s child leaped for joy. Mary would now explain everything to her, what the angel had revealed in Nazareth.
This moment points forward to a greater revelation. When Messiah appears not merely through an angelic message but as the Sun of Righteousness, those who fear the Lord (Mal. 4:2) will “leap” like calves released from the stall. A new Elijah-prophet will again turn hearts of fathers to children and children to fathers, so the land is not struck with a curse.
With remarkable spiritual insight, these two godly women perceived the meaning and magnitude of all that was unfolding before them.
