Zechariah's Lot Was Cast - His Prayers Were Answered

This is in the context of the the first story in Luke (Luke 1: 5-25) -- the story of Zechariah (whose name means "the Lord remembers"), who was a priest (ref. Luke 1:5), and Elizabeth (whose name means "the oath of God") and their longing to have a child. They were Godly and obedient, but were of old age and had no children (ref. Luke 1:6-7). In their culture the primary social unit was family and one's ancestry was of critical importance. Childlessness was a cause of great concern and shame.

The priesthood of Israel was divided into twenty-four courses, each providing temple service for one week twice a year. During one of the two weeks of service for Zechariah's priestly division, he is chosen by lot (something like throwing dice) to offer incense in the Holy Place (ref. 1:8-9). Incense was offered in the Holy Place twice daily before the morning sacrifice and after the evening sacrifice. The Holy Place held the alter of incense, the golden lampstand, and the table of consecrated bread. The chosen priest would enter, clean the alter, and offer fresh incense. Burning incense on the altar in the holy place symbolized Israel's prayers. So while Zechariah entered the sanctuary with the incense, the people stood outside praying (1:10). The rising of the perfumed smoke from the altar signified the ascent of their prayers to God.

Because of the large number of priests, this privilege may have come only once in a lifetime for a particular priest, most would never be chosen for such a duty. This was a special occasion in Zechariah's life! Zechariah no doubt regarded this as the supreme moment in a lifetime of priestly service.

While in the Holy Place an angel of the Lord appeared. Zechariah was gripped with fear, but was told not to be afraid...his prayer had been heard, his wife Elizabeth was going to bear a son. They were to call him John and he would be great in the sight of the Lord and filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. He will go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah. (Ref. Luke 1:11-17). John’s mission was also predicted at the end of the Old Testament: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet … and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:5-6).

The people waited for Zechariah, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple (Luke 1:21). They must have been wondering what had taken so long. Little did they know God was speaking to them for the first time in 400 years -- with a message of hope.

When Zechariah emerged from that Holy Place he was a different man. He had long been a godly man, but his encounter with the angel Gabriel left him with a new awareness of God’s greatness, a new sense of his own unworthiness, and a strong, virile faith. When his week of priestly service was over, he hurried home to share with Elizabeth every detail of that memorable day, and they rejoiced together in God’s grace*.

What I love about this story is picturing Zechariah during this amazing moment in his priestly life. Longing for so long to have a child, living so many years in obedience and prayer -- probably praying daily for God to give them a child. And he gets his big moment to go into the Holy Place. The alter of incense stood very close to the ark (God's dwelling place in their time) and hence to the awesome power and presence of God. You know he must have taken a moment to pray once again for a child. And then the angel appears and tells him his prayer had been heard, and answered in that moment!

I love how God orchestrated this story....Elizabeth was Mary's (the mother of Jesus) relative (ref. Luke 1:36). The son she was going to give birth to is John the Baptist who prepares the way for Jesus' ministry (Luke 3:1-20). The baby, John, leaped in Elizabeth's womb when Mary arrived carrying Jesus in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (ref. Luke 1:41) and knew that Mary was the mother of her Lord (ref. Luke 1:43).

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Believe that. Obey him. Then keep on keeping on*. Zechariah and Elizabeth remained obedient, prayed and waited a long time. A wait that ultimately delivered the one who prepared the path for Jesus.

Sources:
Most of the notes come from from "Luke", Mark L. Strauss, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary. Some notes also come from "Luke: The Savior of the World", John MacArthur, 2007. Paragraphs with * come from Impossible Things Do Happen—The Story of Zacharias and Elizabeth, by Richard L. Strauss.