God Breaks The Silence.

GOD BREAKS THE SILENCE.

Luke 1:5-25.

There are a few people in the Bible whose births were announced prior to their conception. In the Old Testament we had Isaac, Samson, and Samuel. In the New Testament we have John the Baptist and, of course, Jesus.

The Gospel of Luke commences with the end of 400 years in which the voice of prophets had not been heard in Israel. Now God was about to break that silence.

We read of an old married priest named Zechariah, whose wife Elizabeth was barren. These two were counted righteous by God, and kept His commandments.

It was a matter of great privilege to Zechariah that he was chosen to offer incense in the LORD’s Temple. As he disappeared behind the veil of the Most Holy Place, the people remained praying outside.

An angel of the LORD appeared to Zechariah, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. The angel told the old man not to be afraid. Zechariah’s prayers had been heard, and God was answering them.

Please be assured that the LORD does hear and answer the prayers of His people. The Scriptures encourage us:

‘Call upon me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me’

(cf. Psalm 50:15).

In this answer to prayer, the longings of the nation were wrapped up with the more private concern of the old couple’s childlessness.

When we lift our hearts in prayer to God, we should not only be looking for personal benefits, but praying also for the good of others, and for the glory of God.

Those who were faithful in Israel longed for the appearing of God’s anointed one. The angel told Zechariah that Elizabeth would bear him a son. That son would be the messenger to prepare the way for the coming of the Saviour.

Elizabeth was beyond the years for childbirth, but nevertheless she was to have a child. When all this was explained Zechariah cried, "How can this be?"

The angel identified himself as Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. He had been sent with good news to speak to Zechariah. Now the priest was temporarily struck dumb for his unbelief. (Zechariah’s speech was restored later when he acknowledged God in the naming of John.)

We must be careful how we respond to the gospel. Unreasonable doubt like that of Zechariah prevents us from entering into the fullness of God’s blessing.

Elizabeth appears in a better light. The modest lady withdrew herself, and no doubt prepared herself for the serious responsibility of bringing up a Nazarite (cf. Judges 13:14). And she blessed God, who had taken away from her the “reproach” of childlessness (Luke 1:24-25). .