Luke 1:8-13
"And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 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," Luke 1:8-13.
Last time we learned that Zacharias and Elisabeth were two people who were serving the Lord in the midst of wicked people. The government was corrupt, and so was the religious system. Both were willing to kill anyone who threatened their way of life. It would be real easy to be consumed with what was going on around Zacharias and Elisabeth. They could have been angry with the rulers and used their position and voice to oppose the rulers, but instead they continued serving the Lord with gladness. It truly helps when we know and believe what the Scriptures teach us about the rise and fall of nations and rulers. Being grounded in the Scriptures gives us a great peace, in all things, all the time. Zacharias and Elisabeth looked at the world through the Scriptures. "He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again," Job 12:23. "The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens: and his kingdom ruleth over all," Psalm 103:19. Turn to Jeremiah 27:5-7. "And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding," Daniel 2:21. Zacharias and Elisabeth understood that God uses kingdoms and rulers to bring about what He has decreed. Being grounded in these truths helped them to faithfully serve God.
Zacharias and Elisabeth not only served God in the midst of wickedness, but they also served God even though God had not given them what they earnestly desired and asked for, which was a son. We will look more at this when we get to verse 13. Let us pick up in verse 8.
"And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense," Luke 1:8-10. There were twenty four orders of priests (I Chronicles 24:1-19). Zacharias was of the course of Abijah, which was the eighth order. Each division of priests would serve two weeks out of the year. When they were not serving at the temple, they would be at home in their village, town, or city, living a life glorifying to the Lord. This was Zacharias's week to execute the priest's office. According to verse 9, it was his lot, his turn, to burn incense. Matthew Henry writes, "The Jews say that one and the same priest burned not incense twice in all his days (there were such a multitude of them), at least never more than one week. It is very probable that this was upon the sabbath day, because there was a multitude of people attending (verse 10), which ordinarily was not on a week day."
Keep in mind that verse 7 tells us, "they were both well stricken in years." In all his years of service, this would be his first and only time to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. This was a great day for Zacharias. Can you relate with the excitement and the anticipation of finally getting to do something you have been waiting your whole life to do? This is a great day for Zacharias, but it is about to get better, and worse.
"And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense," Luke 1:11. The altar of incense was placed alongside the lampstand and the tables of showbread in the Holy Place outside the Most Holy Place. Scripture often likens incense to the prayers of God's people. "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice," Psalm 141:2. "And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints," Revelation 5:8. This helps us understand verse 10, "And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense." This was a time of prayer. They prayed as the priest offered incense upon the altar of incense. This would put the priest near the veil that separated the holy place from the Most Holy Place. The Most Holy Place is where the High Priest would enter once a year to make an atonement for the people by sprinkling blood on the mercy seat. The veil is the same veil that was ripped from the top to the bottom when Jesus gave up the ghost (Matthew 27:50-51), signifying that there was a new and living way to come unto God (Hebrews 10:19-20).
"And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 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," Luke 1:12-13. Everyone knew the routine, and no doubt Zacharias had heard other priest talk about their turn to burn the incense. There isn't supposed to be anyone else in there while the priest is burning the incense. "Troubled" in verse 12 means to agitate, to roil like water. "Fear" means fear, terror, reverence, respect, terror; to flee in fear. He was troubled on the inside, and fear overwhelmed him. With this rush of emotions, he has a decision to make. Does he fight, flee, freeze, or fall down? Before he can do anything, the angel Gabriel speaks those famous and comforting words, "Fear not."
"Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John." Zacharias and Elisabeth were well stricken in years. They were past the age of bearing children, yet the angel specifically said that his prayer is heard. I wonder how long had it been since they prayed for a son? There are multiple answers, but the fact is that their prayer is heard, and if it is heard, it will be answered, on God's timing, God's way. "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him," I John 5:14-15.
Zacharias and Elisabeth faithfully served the Lord in a wicked world, and with a broken heart. They did this because no matter what is going on around them or even in them, God is worthy to serve. When we have a correct view of God's grace, we are humbled, and understand what we truly deserve. Zacharias and Elisabeth are about to see and experience answered prayer. Our God is worthy to serve. Lord willing next week we will look at the 400 year silence being broken. Please send questions and comments to:
richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com
Soli Deo Gloria.
