His Word Today

^26 “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.” (Luke 1:26-27)

Let’s take a quiz? And you thought we were done with surprises? Surprise!

Pull a sheet of paper out of the memory bank of your mind and answer the following questions:

1. Who taught Max Lucado to write?
2. Who visited Dwight L. Moody at a Chicago shoe store and spoke to him about Christ?
3. Who gave Michael W. Smith piano lessons?
4. Who refreshed the Apostle Paul in that Roman dungeon as he wrote his last letter to Timothy? (2 Timothy 4:17).
5. Who was responsible for leading R.C. Sproul to Christ?
6. What art teachers encouraged Terry Redlin and Thomas Kinkade to pursue their dreams and refine their God given talents?
7. Who were the parents of the godly and gifted prophet Daniel?
8. Who encouraged John MacArthur to pursue the pastoral ministry?
9. Who encouraged Charles Billingsley to sing?
10. Who was the elderly woman who prayed for Billy Graham for over twenty years?

Before you excuse your inability to answer these questions by calling this quiz “trivia”, let’s stop and think. Had it not been for these unknown people, a huge chunk of church history would be missing and a lot of lives would remain untouched.

You will notice I refer to these individuals as unknown people. Unknown to us perhaps, but not to their loved ones and certainly not unknown to God. By the way, they are not, and were not, nobodies. They were “somebodies” God used and perhaps is still using. In short, they are (were) servants. In many ways, servants of God. They were obedient to His leading, and fervent in their serving.

So today, as we ponder the thought of “When God Chooses You to Serve Him”, ask God what He wants you to do. If you listen closely, and pray obediently, He will reveal His answer.

God chooses ordinary people to serve Him. People just like you and me. People just like a girl named Mary. How does God go about choosing people to serve Him? First of all, He finds you. What do we know about Mary the young girl God found and chose to use?

To begin with, she lived in Nazareth. Nazareth was a town located approximately 22 miles east from the Mediterranean Sea and 15 miles west of the Sea of Galilee. It was located in the lower region of Galilee. It was surrounded by hills. It was a small town: not a capital but rather a village.

Nazareth had a reputation during the first century. It was known for bad morals and bad religion. The overall perspective of Jewish people at the time regarding Nazareth can best be summed up by Jesus’ disciple Nathaniel: “And Nathanial said to him (Phillip), Can anything good come out of Nazareth” (John 1:46)? Yet the Prophet Isaiah wrote that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene. This was a Hebrew reference of the Messiah being from the “branch of David.”

Second, she was a virgin. The Greek word for virgin, παρθένον (Parthenon), means an unmarried person, in this case a female. In other words, Mary had never engaged in sexual intercourse: voluntary or otherwise.

Third, she was engaged or betrothed to a man named Joseph. The Jewish betrothal period, called the Kuddushin, was an arranged engagement. Their legally bound marriage ceremony had yet to take place. This was called the Huppa. It would be like our modern weddings and receptions. However, the celebration would often last seven days. This would be what Jesus and His disciples attended in John 2:1-11.

Mary and Joseph would not have had any physical relationship. They lived in separate homes. The Kuddushin lasted approximately a year. The purpose of this engagement period of time was to prove the fidelity of both individuals.

Mary had been solemnly promised to a man whose name was Joseph. He belonged to the family of David (Matthew 1:1-17). They in a real sense were “legally married.” If either partner proved unfaithful, or other problems arose, then a formal bill of divorcement was required to nullify the betrothal contract.

Mary could very well have been in her teens. Marriages and betrothals in their culture were arranged at a young age. Betrothals often occurred when girls were as young as twelve or thirteen. Perhaps because of her maturity, Mary could have been in her late teens. We can only speculate.

What about you? Where, when and how did God find you? What were the circumstances which led Him to not only convert you but to begin using you? Take time to reflect on God’s usage of you through the years. Thank Him for the privilege it is to serve the One, True God.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

^“67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, ⁶⁸ “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people ⁶⁹ and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, ⁷⁰as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, ⁷¹ that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us;  ⁷² to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, ⁷³ the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us ⁷⁴ that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, ⁷⁵ in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. ⁷⁶ And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, ⁷⁷ to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, ⁷⁸ because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high ⁷⁹ to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” ⁸⁰ And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.” (Luke 1:67-80)

The prophecy of Zechariah (Lk. 1:68–79), the Benedictus, is so named from the first word in the Latin version. Benedictus means “invocation.”

The Benedictus is one of six visions (Luke 1:5–25, 26–38; 2:1–20), and prophecies (Lk. 1:46–56; 2:29–35) in the Gospel of Luke’s Birth of Christ Narrative. It is a recurrent pattern in Hebrew prophecy to reflect upon or elaborate former revelations (cf. Ps. 105; Micah 4:4; Zechariah. 3:10). Therefore, the Benedictus refers to a number of passages from the Psalms and the Prophet Isaiah.

The first section of the passage (Lk. 1:68–75), which is characteristic of Jewish poetry parallelism, praises God for His Messianic deliverance of sinners. The second section (Lk. 1:76–79) describes the role which John will have in this unfolding drama of redemption by God.

In the Benedictus, Messiah’s work is particularly a spiritual deliverance. That is significant because the majority of Jews at that time, and today, viewed and view the Messiah as a political Redeemer. Even though the Messiah’s role as a religious or priestly Redeemer was not absent in Judaism, it was obscured and overshadowed by the Jews desire to be liberated from Roman rule.

Significant words and phrases which occur in the Benedictus are steeped in Old Testament imagery and theology. These include horn of salvation, redeemed, saved, mercy, holy covenant, holiness, righteousness, prophet of the Most High, to go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation, forgiveness of their sins, the tender mercy of our God, sunrise shall visit us from on high, light to those in darkness, the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

The CD Glory to the Holy One by Craig Courtney, Dan Forrest, Jeff Lippencott and narrated by R.C. Sproul, contains a song entitled Variant on Benedictus. Its lyrics are as follows.

Chosen first among the priests
To serve within the temple walls
Zacharias stood in awe
As he heard the angel call.

Refrain

Benedictus
Benedictus
Blessed is the Lord
Benedictus
Benedictus
God’s incarnate Word.

Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God
Will come to raise salvation’s horn
God Incarnate, Word made flesh
To a virgin shall be born.

Christ brings light to sin’s dark night
Our Dayspring, Jesus, from on high
Saints and angels sing God’s praise
All the earth and heav’ns reply.

God’s incarnate Word
Benedictus
Benedictus.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

On each Lord’s Day this year, we will display the 52 devotionals taken from the Heidelberg Catechism which are structured in the form of questions posed and answers given.

The Heidelberg Catechism was originally written in 1563. It originated in one of the few pockets of Calvinistic faith in the Lutheran and Catholic territories of Germany. Conceived originally as a teaching instrument to promote religious unity, the catechism soon became a guide for preaching as well.

Along with the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dordt, it forms what is collectively referred to as the Three Forms of Unity.

The devotional for LORD’S DAY 43 is as follows. Please take note of the biblical references given in each answer. This morning’s devotional addresses The Ten Commandments.

Q. What is the aim of the ninth commandment?

A. That I never give false testimony against anyone, twist no one’s words,
not gossip or slander, nor join in condemning anyone rashly or without a hearing.¹

Rather, in court and everywhere else, I should avoid lying and deceit of every kind; these are the very devices the devil uses, and they would call down on me God’s intense wrath.² I should love the truth, speak it candidly, and openly acknowledge it.³ And I should do what I can to guard and advance my neighbor’s good name.⁴

¹ Ps. 15; Prov. 19:5; Matt. 7:1; Luke 6:37; Rom. 1:28-32.
² Lev. 19:11-12; Prov. 12:22; 13:5; John 8:44; Rev. 21:8a.
³ 1 Cor. 13:6; Eph. 4:25.
⁴ 1 Pet. 3:8-9; 4:8.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

⁵⁷ Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. ⁵⁸ And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. ⁵⁹ And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, ⁶⁰ but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” ⁶¹ And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” ⁶² And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. ⁶³ And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. ⁶⁴ And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. ⁶⁵ And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, ⁶⁶ and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.” (Luke 1:57-66)

Don’t you love it when extended families and friends get together for the holidays? I sure do. I fondly remember when as a child growing up, my extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins would gather Christmas Day afternoon at my grandparent’s home. What a gathering it was. There was good food, great friendships, and a whole lot of laughter and conversation. For me, and I’m sure for others, it was one of the high points of the Christmas holiday season.

It is often the case that when neighbors or relatives get together there are a lot of opinions about whatever subject being discussed. It might be about politics, sports, the weather or an upcoming wedding or birth of a child.

Such was the case with Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s friends and relatives. When John was born to the couple as God had promised, their neighbors and relatives rejoiced with them. No surprise there. The couple’s friends and family were as happy for them as they were for themselves.

However, when the time came for the baby to be circumcised, everyone thought the child would, and should, be named Zechariah, after his father. That sounded reasonable they thought. The child would be called Zechariah Jr. However, Elizabeth answered and informed one and all that the boy’s name would be John. Their friends and relatives were stunned, perplexed and stated that none of their relatives were named John. Why this surprising choice of a name for their newborn son?

Not to be deterred, the neighbors and relatives went to Zechariah and asked him what the boy’s name should be. Let the boy’s father decide. The people were struggling with this conflict of custom or tradition. Principle and custom were clashing.

However, Zechariah wrote on a writing tablet that his son’s name “is” John. The people were amazed and astonished but Zechariah began to speak and blessed God.

The result was that great fear and reverence came upon all of Zachariah’s and Elizabeth’s neighbors and relatives. They began to wonder what manner of child John would be. Luke inserts the parenthetical phrase that the hand or presence of the Lord was with John.

Dr. John Walvoord notes that, “The people continued to note that the Lord’s hand was with him. Years later, when John began his preaching ministry, many went out from this district who no doubt remembered the amazing events surrounding his birth (Matt. 3:5).”

 Remember that peer pressure is not just an experience that teenagers encounter. Adults experience it also. Just like Zechariah and Elisabeth. However, they did not give in to the crowd’s point of view for tradition but remained steadfast in their obedience to the Lord commands. So should we.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

²³ And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. ²⁴ After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, ²⁵ “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” (Luke 1:23-25)

Following his time of religious and priestly service, Zechariah went home. Even though the Lord disciplined him for his unbelief, He still allowed Zechariah to serve Him as a priest in the Temple. This is an illustration of Hebrews 12:3-11 in which the Lord disciplines those who He loves. Such discipline, in whatever form it takes, is an indication of the veracity of one being a child of God.

Up to this point in the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth, Luke’s emphasis has been upon the faithful priest. But what about his faithful wife? It is at this point that the narrative shifts and focuses on Elizabeth.

It was after Zechariah’s term of service, and after he went home, that Elizabeth conceived a child by Zechariah. One would think that upon realizing such a wonderful event, that she and her husband would be telling everyone they knew. There seemingly would be baby showers for Elizabeth and backslapping upon Zechariah.

However, that is not what occurred. In fact, the text says that Elizabeth hid herself for five months during her pregnancy. Why? Perhaps it was out of great devotion and gratitude to the Lord. Or, maybe she did so until she was sure she was pregnant and there was no mistaking her physical condition.

Dr. Don Carson writes that, “Elizabeth remained in seclusion during the period when her pregnancy would not be especially obvious and she would still be liable to reproach for childlessness. The news was broken first to Mary, and the miraculous character of what had happened remained a secret from the people at large.”

 Whatever the reason for her behavior, there is not misunderstanding of her perspective regarding what had occurred. She praised the Lord and said, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” She was grateful for the Lord’s miraculous answer to her and her husband’s prayer.

Elizabeth, unlike Zechariah, did not need to know the how of her becoming pregnant at such an advanced physical age. It was enough that God blessed her and Zechariah resulting in her becoming pregnant. For Elizabeth, she had no questions. She had only praise.

God rebuked Zechariah for casting such a dark shadow over the light of His divine wisdom revealed through the angel.  We must make sure that we never doubt, or event rebuke, the Lord when things seemingly do not happen when we think they should. The Lord’s timing is always perfect.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

¹⁹ And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. ²⁰ And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” ²¹ And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. ²² And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. ²³ And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

²⁴ After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, ²⁵ “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” (Luke 19-25)

For the first time in this text, the angel who was speaking to Zechariah identified himself. “¹⁹ And the angel answered him, I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.” (Luke 1:19)

What do we know about Gabriel? His name means “strong man of God.” The Tyndale Bible Dictionary says that he is, “One of the two angels mentioned by name in the Bible (the other is Michael). Gabriel appeared in human form to Daniel to reveal to him the meaning of a vision, to show what would transpire on the Day of Judgment, and to give Daniel wisdom and understanding (Dan. 8:16; 9:21–22). In the NT Gabriel appeared to Zechariah the priest as he served in the temple, to announce the birth of Zechariah’s son, John the Baptist (Lk 1:11–20). Six months later Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce that she would become the mother of Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah (Lk 1:26–33). Gabriel is commonly called an archangel but is not referred to as such in the Bible.”

What did Gabriel says about himself? First, that he stood in the presence of God. Second, that God sent him to specifically speak to Zechariah. Third, that he came to bring the priest good news.

What did Gabriel then say to Zechariah following his disbelieving response? “. ²⁰ And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” Gabriel clearly indicated that Zechariah’s comment was based upon unbelief in the angel’s announcement. Therefore, Zechariah would remain mute throughout Elizabeth’s pregnancy. This would be the sign Zachariah received to support the revelation that he and Elizabeth would have a son. It was probably not the sign Zechariah expected. Because Zechariah did not use his tongue wisely, he would not be able to use his tongue at all.

The contrast cannot be more apparent; the priest’s cold skepticism and the angel’s towering certainty. The priest’s presumptuous doubt and the angel’s profound conviction. Zechariah called into question a wonderful gospel promise that sprang from the heart and mind of God.

What is our response when we encounter a promise from God’s Word? Do we immediately believe it or do we meet it with skepticism? Respond with wholehearted trust, commitment, dependence and worship today beloved of God. The Lord is trustworthy, dependable and worthy of worship.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

¹⁸ And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” ¹⁹ And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. ²⁰ And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” (Luke 1:18-20)

Have you ever heard the old adage “seeing is believing?” The idea behind the familiar statement is that if an individual could only see the who, what, where, why and how of a situation or circumstance then it would naturally follow that the individual would trust in, commit to, depend upon and honor the One who is the object of such trust, commitment, dependence and honor. Unfortunately, this does not always occur.

Take Zechariah for example. Luke went to great lengths to explain to us that Zechariah, and his wife Elizabeth for the matter, were exemplary examples of obedience and faith in God. There were God servants and demonstrated this by living righteously. However, Zechariah, even though an angel was standing before him with an oracle from God, the righteous priest did not believe what he had been told.

His response to the angel was one of unbelief regarding Elizabeth and him having a child. “And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” (Luke 1:18)

The verb “know” (γνώσομαι; gnosomai) means not just to have or acquire knowledge but also to understand and to accept the knowledge one has acquired. Zechariah heard the angel’s words, but did not understand the angel’s words. Regarding what? Regarding how Elizabeth and him could have a child when they were both old and beyond childbearing age.

There was no excuse for this response. It was a response of unbelief by a believer. How can I be so sure? I urge you to follow my reasoning.

First, Zechariah was a believer in God. Second, he was also a priest serving God. Third, he stood before an angel sent from God. Fourth, Zechariah had a biblical example of another couple faced with the same personal dilemma: childlessness. However, God provided them a child in their old age. The couple in question, of course, was Abraham and Sarah.

Genesis 15:1-6 says, “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” ² But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” ³ And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” ⁴ And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” ⁵ And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” ⁶ And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”

Genesis 17:15-21 says, “¹⁵ And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. ¹⁶ I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” ¹⁷ Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” ¹⁸ And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” ¹⁹ God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. ²⁰ As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation. ²¹ But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.”

Genesis 18:1–15 says, “And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. ² He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth ³ and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. ⁴ Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, ⁵ while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” ⁶ And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” ⁷ And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. ⁸ Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.”

^“9 They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” ¹⁰ The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. ¹¹ Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. ¹² So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” ¹³ The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ ¹⁴ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁵ But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

 Genesis 21:1-7 says, “The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. ² And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. ³ Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. ⁴ And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. ⁵ Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. ⁶ And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” ⁷ And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

As recorded in the Book of Genesis, Zechariah had a biblical example of how and when God provided a child, Isaac, to Abraham and Sarah who were old and beyond the physical ability to have children.

What was the angel’s response to Zechariah? That is what we will examine next time.

Have you ever doubted God? Have you ever doubted His Word when it clearly provided a promise which was trustworthy because it came from God? I’m sure you have. I know I have.

Abraham’s problem, and Zechariah’s, was that they both were looking at their circumstances and not upon the Lord who remains sovereign and providential above, in, and through our circumstances.

What about us? What circumstances are you presently encountering in which your faith is weak and your trust in, commitment to, dependence upon and worship and honor of God is wavering due to your circumstances? Immediately pray to Him to help you through the valley of unbelief and place you upon the rock of faith.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

^8 “Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, ⁹ according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. ¹⁰ And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. ¹¹ And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. ¹² And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. ¹³ But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. ¹⁴ And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, ¹⁵ for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. ¹⁶ And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, ¹⁷ and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” (Luke 1:8-15)

With the angel’s surprise appearance, God’s messenger also had a surprise announcement to give to the faithful and fervent priest.

The angel told Zechariah that his prayer had been answered. We presume that the prayer was for a child, even though the text does not explicitly say so. This is because what the angel continued to say to Zechariah. Elizabeth will bear you a son. What a miracle! The one whose barrenness was common knowledge will be delivered from her affliction.

Even the very sex or gender of the child was indicated by the angel. The name of the child will be John (Luke 1:59-63). This is a command from God. No discussion. John’s name means Yahweh has shown grace.

The angel then promised that Zechariah’s joy would be full and that he would have joy and gladness. Additionally, many people will rejoice at the birth of John. Through John’s ministry to multitudes, God will turn many from darkness to light. John would also be a prophet (Luke 7:29; Matthew 21:26-32).

Even more so, John would be great. How? He would be great in the sight of the Lord.  “Among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). He would not drink neither wine nor strong drink.

Dr. John MacArthur writes that, “This was a key element of the Nazirite vow (Num. 6:1–21) and would probably have been understood as such by Zechariah. Usually such a vow was temporary, but Samson (Judg. 16:17) and Samuel (1 Sam. 1:11) were subject to it from birth. The language here is reminiscent of the angel’s instructions to Samson’s parents (Judg. 13:4–7).”

He would also be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. He would turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. The Lord will also go before Him In the spirit and power of Elijah in order to turn the heart of the fathers to the children (Malachi 4:5-6).

What a wonderful announcement. What was Zechariah’s response? That will be examined when next we meet.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

^8 “Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, ⁹ according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. ¹⁰ And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. ¹¹ And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. ¹² And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. ¹³ But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. ¹⁴ And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, ¹⁵ for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.” (Luke 1:8-15)

As we continue our study of Zechariah and Elizabeth from Luke 1, we see that Zechariah was serving as a priest before God. Zechariah belonged to the priestly division of Abijah (I Chronicles 24:4-19). He also belonged to the 8^th Division of 24. During David’s reign, the priests were divided into 24 divisions. (I Chronicles 24:1-6). Solomon reaffirmed these divisions (2 Chronicles 8:14). Twice a year each division was on duty in the temple, and each time the period of service was one week.

Zechariah was selected at random to enter into the Holy Place within the Temple and offer incense on the Golden Altar of Incense. This was a tremendous privilege for Zechariah. Only once in a lifetime could a priest receive this honor. If he did not receive it by lot, then he would not have this privilege. Twice a day the incense was offered; in the morning and at mid-afternoon. The primary prayer was praying for peace of Israel and Jerusalem.

At the same time, people were standing outside of the temple. They were also praying because it was the hour of incense.

Dr. William Hendrickson writes, “Zechariah proceeds toward the golden altar. He is accompanied by two assistants. One of these men is carrying in a golden bowl burning coals from the altar of burnt-offering, and is spreading them out on the altar of incense. He then withdraws. The other assistant is carrying a golden censer filled with incense. He arranges the incense upon the altar.  He too withdraws.”

“And now profound silence ensues, for the most solemn action of the ritual is about to occur. A signal is given. The sacred moment has arrived for Zechariah to place the incense upon the coals, causing a cloud to arise, its fragrance rising and spreading. Together with the ascending aroma a fervent prayer, consisting of thanksgiving for blessings received and of supplication for peace upon Israel, now issues from the heart and lips of the priest. The people, gathered “outside” the sanctuary but “inside” its courts are also praying, in a prostrate position and with outstretched hands. Then they wait for Zechariah to return from the altar of incense and to proceed eastward to the steps in the front of the sanctuary. On these steps Zechariah, accompanied by other priests, is expected to pronounce the Aaronic blessing on the people. This benediction will be followed by songs of praise, public offerings.”

It was at this moment that Zechariah was paid a surprising visit. An angel of the Lord appeared to him. The angel was standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zechariah’s reaction was predictable for when he saw the angel he was troubled and fear fell upon him.

Dr. John MacArthur explains that, “It is natural for a sinful human, even a righteous one, to tremble in the presence of the reflected holiness of God (Judges 6:22; Judges 13:22; Isaiah 6:1-5; Daniel 10:5-9; Luke 1:29; 2:9; Acts 10:4). Luke seems especially to take note of this; he often reports fear in the presence of God and his works (cf. Luke 1:30, 65; 2:9–10; 5:10, 26; 7:16; 8:25, 37, 50; 9:34, 45; 23:40).”

A surprise appearance will soon give way to an even more surprise announcement. Stay tuned.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

On each Lord’s Day this year, we will display the 52 devotionals taken from the Heidelberg Catechism which are structured in the form of questions posed and answers given.

The Heidelberg Catechism was originally written in 1563. It originated in one of the few pockets of Calvinistic faith in the Lutheran and Catholic territories of Germany. Conceived originally as a teaching instrument to promote religious unity, the catechism soon became a guide for preaching as well.

Along with the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dordt, it forms what is collectively referred to as the Three Forms of Unity.

The devotional for LORD’S DAY 42 is as follows. Please take note of the biblical references given in each answer. This morning’s devotional addresses The Ten Commandments.

Q. What does God forbid in the eighth commandment?

A. God forbids not only outright theft and robbery, punishable by law.¹ But in God’s sight theft also includes all scheming and swindling in order to get our neighbor’s goods for ourselves, whether by force or means that appear legitimate,² such as inaccurate measurements of weight, size, or volume; fraudulent merchandising; counterfeit money;
excessive interest; or any other means forbidden by God.³ In addition God forbids all greed⁴ and pointless squandering of his gifts.⁵

¹ Ex. 22:1; 1 Cor. 5:9-10; 6:9-10.
² Mic. 6:9-11; Luke 3:14; James 5:1-6.
³ Deut. 25:13-16; Ps. 15:5; Prov. 11:1; 12:22; Ezek. 45:9-12; Luke 6:35.
⁴ Luke 12:15; Eph. 5:5.
⁵ Prov. 21:20; 23:20-21; Luke 16:10-13.

Q. What does God require of you in this commandment?

A. That I do whatever I can for my neighbor’s good, that I treat others as I would like them to treat me, and that I work faithfully so that I may share with those in need.¹

¹ Isa. 58:5-10; Matt. 7:12; Gal. 6:9-10; Eph. 4:28.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!