Carson Village, Birmingham, Alabama
But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. ~ Luke 1:13
What do you know about Zechariah and Elizabeth? I’ve learned some background information over the years, which sheds some additional light upon what was actually happening. The prophets of the Old Testament notwithstanding, Zechariah and Elizabeth begin the Christmas Story.
When Zechariah encountered God’s Messenger, it was the first time God had broken His silence to His people in 400 years, so imagine how unexpected and significant that was!
Zechariah was a priest from the division of Abijah. Abijah was a descendent of Aaron (Moses’s brother, and the very first God-chosen high priest.) Elizabeth was also a descendent of Aaron. Scripture tells us that both of them “were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.” (Luke 1:6) Did you ever wonder why listing their family tree was important? Two reasons (at least). First, it’s so that when the time came, the people wouldn’t question what right John had to preach to them. (Look how Jesus was questioned.) It also sets up why Zechariah was in the position to be approached privately by an angel of the Lord inside the Holy of Holies.
The descendants of Abijah were working in the temple that day. This division of priests would’ve drawn lots to see which one of them would tend to the incense. The altar of incense was separate from the sacrificial altar and the incense was required to burn constantly (Ex 30:1-9). The incense had a special formula and was only to be used at the altar – never for personal use (Ex 30:34-38). It symbolized the prayers of the officiating priest rising up to God. Because lots were cast to determine who would perform the task, it was not often, if ever, that a priest had the privilege of serving this way (there were always a whole bunch of them). The altar sat just outside the Holy of Holies and in the Most Holy Place. The area was cordoned off by two very heavy curtains (vails/veils) – one in front of the Holy of Holies which kept anyone from seeing or approaching the Ark of the Covenant, the other separated the serving priest from any other people. Zechariah would have been alone as he offered his prayers and burned the incense – all the other worshipers would have been praying “outside the vail”. In fact, the area was considered so sacred that a length of rope was attached to the priest’s leg in the event he didn’t return within a certain time frame. That way, if something incapacitated him, they could pull him out rather than have anyone go in.
Zechariah was standing on the right side of the Altar of Incense, inside the Holy of Holies and just outside the Most Holy Place. Is there significance to him being on the right side? Everything honorable was always on the right side – the place of honor at dinner was to the right side of the host, Jesus sits on the right side of God in Heaven, etc.
Imagine how Zechariah felt when the Messenger appeared in front of him! He was terrified! Paralyzed with fear, according to The Message Bible. Everyone in scripture who had contact with angelic beings is described as being afraid or terrified. Oftentimes, they fall prostrate in fear. Think of Mary, Daniel, the apostle John, and others.
The Messenger tells him that his elderly, barren wife will have a son and they’re to name him John. Unheard of at that time. Firstborn sons were named after their father, or at least another member of the family. And among other things mentioned, he’s to refrain from any fermented drink. By refraining from drink, no one would be able to consider John’s words or actions as a result of being under the influence. This is one of the Nazarite vows, found in Numbers Chapter 6. This vow was a vow of separation to the Lord. Here’s a list of additional requirements to fulfill this sacred vow.
1. It could be taken by men or women, but it was most often men
2. No grape juice or grapes or raisins. Nothing that comes from the grapevine, including seeds or skins
3. No hair cutting for the entire period of his vow
4. They can’t go near a dead body – not even a close family member. If someone dies suddenly in his presence, he has to shave his head on the seventh day – the day of cleansing. Then he has to bring an offering (two doves or two young pigeons) to the priest on the eighth day and the priest will offer them as a sin and burnt offering to make atonement because he sinned by being in the presence of a dead body. Then, essentially, he must start over. The previous days of the vow don’t count.
5. When the designated time of the vow is over, he is to be brought to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting and present his offerings (a year-old male lamb for burnt offering, a year-old ewe lamb for sin offering, a ram for fellowship offering and grain and drink offerings and a basket of unleavened bread.) Then, when the priest makes the offerings, the Nazarite is to shave off his hair and put it in the fire under the sacrifice of the ram (fellowship offering). Then the priest is to place a boiled shoulder of the ram and a cake and wafer from the basket in the Nazarite’s hands and wave them before the LORD as a wave offering. They belong to the priest. After that, the Nazarite can drink wine again.
Shoo wee! That’s a lot!
Zechariah also learned that John would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he was born. WOW! Can you imagine? Especially at a time when people didn’t really know about the Holy Spirit yet because He hadn’t been given in the way we know now. It’s also why John (as an unborn child) leapt in Elizabeth’s womb at the sound of Mary’s voice. The Holy Spirit recognized the presence of God’s Son. Two members of the Holy Trinity encased in a mother’s womb – at virtually the same time! WOW! Never thought of that before!
But Zechariah doubted, and was struck dumb because of it. He had to wait until John’s circumcision ceremony at least nine months later, and prove his faith by confirming that he was naming his son, John. In other words, he couldn’t just say he believed, he had to demonstrate it – even though it went against the custom of the day, and his peers tried to get him to change his mind.
Just as we’re called to do. Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what is says. ~ James 1:22
For the first time in a work week (five days, so Blaine doesn’t accuse me of exaggerating the time), there was absolutely no sign of ants! Woop-Woop!!!
And other than doing laundry, and working on summer reservations, we did nothing. Again. Which is why I have so much time to do Biblical research.