Elizabeth is married to a priest named Zacharias. He is of the order, the division, of Abia which began during the time of King David. Abia is the NT spelling of the OT Abijah. Israel’s most famous king wished for the Lord to have a permanent house and not just a tent. The Lord would not let David build the Temple, but did allow him to collect the materials, money and organize those who would minister. Zacharias fell into this 1000-year-old organization. Elizabeth herself came from the lineage of Aaron. Her name means “God is my oath.” A key thing to remember is she is past her child bearing years and barren.

There are many, many women named Elizabeth. Several women in the Bible are named Elizabeth. Famous politicians and actresses are named Elizabeth. According to www.verywellfmaily.com, the name is the fourteenth most popular name in the United States. I think I would be correct that few have lived up to the meaning of Elizabeth like the woman we find in Luke 1. She and Zacharias lived in the hill country of Judea. Service in the Temple was an honor so when it was Abia’s and Zacharias’ turn to serve, along with others, they were chosen to minister. He made his trek to Jerusalem. Faithfully performing his duties for this two-week period, he was putting scented olive oil on the altar of incense. The angel of the Lord, Gabriel, suddenly appears standing on the right side of the altar of incense. He delivers a message that is met with the fear of meeting an angel and the excitement that prayers were heard, but also doubt because of he and Elizabeth’s age. Because of the doubt Zacharias is made dumb. This simply means he could not speak. It has zero to do with his intelligence. He would be silent for at least nine months. Can you imagine not being able to speak to your wife or anyone else? Each night at the supper table all you can do is smile as you have dinner. Sitting around the evening fire, the joy of the Lord is evident because a baby is on his way but all you can do is sit holding your wife’s hand with a smile. A few months pass and the baby is born. Eight days later, he is brought to the Temple to be circumcised and at the same time the name is revealed. The cousins and neighbors start calling him Zacharias, Jr. Elizabeth stops them, “No his name will be John.” They look at Zacharias as if to say, “What do you have to say about it?” He has nothing to say but does have something to write. Remember he still cannot speak because of doubt. He takes a tablet and writes “John.” This name is special also in its meaning. It means “God is gracious.” What are some lessons we learn from Elizabeth and also Zacharias? Let me mention only three.

  1. God always provides Answers to Prayer. They have been married for decades. They wanted children but God never blessed them despite the prayers that were offered. Once past the age of child-bearing, I imagine they stopped praying about having a child. They just considered it not to be God’s will. They had resigned themselves to have each other and would still serve God without a child. A baby is not even on their radar when Gabriel appears with the answer to prayer so long ago forgotten. Just because we do not receive the answer as quickly as we want doesn’t mean God doesn’t have an answer coming but it is on his timetable. Often answered prayer arrives after a time of waiting.
  2. God always provides Just the Right People. Luke 1:39 tells us that Mary, the soon to be mother of Jesus, went into the hill country to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Ghost and begins blessing Mary. These two ladies are such an encouragement to each other. Mary stays with Elizabeth for three months. She is probably thrilled to have someone to talk with. Remember Zacharias cannot speak. Looking back on my life God has brought me great joy with those he placed in my path. Can you think of someone that came your way and became a fixture in your life for joy? I can think of many that fit that bill. We all should look at those that enter our little circle as a possible friend to whom we can encourage and also receive encouragement.

God provides a Plan for our Lives. When first married, Elizabeth and Zacharias had dreams and aspirations just as all married couples have. The plan was to honor God, raise a family, and have the good hand of God upon their home. God did not have the same plan. Often, his plans and ours do not always jive. God sees the beginning from the end and might I add all things in the middle. We see now but it is through a glass darkly. But one day the plan of God will be revealed to us. The birth of John the Baptist arrived years and years after the dream of a child had long since died. This little boy would be the forerunner of the Lord Jesus. People throughout Israel would know about the prophet from the desert, John the baptizer. On that eighth day, both the mom and dad were on the same page “his name is John.” Why? Because the Lord is gracious. God has a plan for you. God has a plan for your family if you have one. One of the things we all learned from last year is flexibility. We have had to be willing to change plans on a dime. God will change our plans even when we have them set in stone. Let’s remember this. His plans are always bigger and always better than ours. Waiting all those years turned out to be a blessing. Jesus said of those born of women there was none better than John the Baptist.