Seventh Day Baptist
Christian Education Council
PO BOX 1678
Janesville, WI 53547
—Luke 1:57-66
by: Stephanie Sholtz.
Zacharias, similar to Sarah in the Old Testament, wondered how he and his wife would have a child at their age. Due to his disbelief, he was unable to speak throughout his wife’s entire pregnancy. After his conversation with the angel while at the altar of incense, his wife conceived, Mary visited them, and his child was born. Through all this he could not speak nor tell anyone of what God had done or was doing. This may seem like a punishment, but this had a purpose as the praise—Spirit directed praise—he gave to God as soon as he could speak had a great impact on those around him, leading to their questioning and watching what God was doing.