Honey what do you think about...never mind

Luke 1:11-20

I read Luke 1 this morning for my devotional reading. Tonight however, I was thinking about what I read and a thought struck me, even though Zacharias was physically present for Elisabeth's pregnancy, he had very little he could communicate. Have you ever thought about that? He was made mute for the entire pregnancy through the first 8 days of John's life. Think about how hard that must have been for both he and Elisabeth. This was their first child, so every experience was a first!

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And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

Luke 1:11-20

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Preachers often make wisecracks about Zacharias's being made mute for this time. We quip about it being the best 9 months of their marriage or something of the sorts. I am sure that they did not find it a laughing matter. It struck me tonight that there was so much he could not communicate to Elisabeth during this exciting and scary season of their life. Can you imagine the questions he must have thought about but could not ask? Can you imagine the questions that Elisabeth asked that he could not answer without writing it down, perhaps for someone else to read to Elisabeth?

"I know he is going to be a prophet, but do we teach him to be a priest?"

"What if he rebels and breaks his vow to God?"

"We are old, who will take care of him if we die?" "How will we know when it is time for him to be a prophet?" "What will you do if I die giving birth?"

"Zacharias, I'm scared. I've never done this before."

"I don't feel good this morning."

"What are you thinking about Zacharias?"

Zacharias could not speak comfort or encouragement to Elisabeth. He was a silent cheerleader. He could not verbally express himself during this joyous and fearful time. He could not express his joy verbally and John's birth. He was left in silence. There was no meaningful communication between them. They did not have long talks about what was going on. There was just silence and trust in God. They both had to commit to that!

Father, help me to trust you when you tell me what to do. May I not question your ability or your plan. If I do, may I learn my lesson like Zacharias did and fully trust in you.