Seventh Day Baptist
Christian Education Council
PO BOX 1678
Janesville, WI 53547
And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
(ESV)
—Luke 1:18-25
by: Gabrielle Watt.
Zechariah asked a seemingly logical question here. He was old and his wife was no spring chicken either. They had not been able to conceive before and I imagine he was a bit frazzled with an angel just appearing. So, why punish Zechariah? Gabriel answered this in verse 20. Zechariah did not believe. It is possible he wanted to believe but also did not want to be disappointed if things turned out differently. He was focused on the nature of his circumstances, instead of trusting in what God could do in spite of his circumstances. Although it is very easy to get caught up in what is around us, it is important to remember that God is bigger than all our troubles. With that in mind, it is pretty illogical not to believe Him.
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