Couples in the Bible: Zechariah and Elizabeth

Zechariah was a priest. He and his wife, Elizabeth, are described as “righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.”  {Luke 1:6}  They were barren and advanced in years.

He was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. An angel appeared to him to tell him that he and his wife would have a child—a son.

Zechariah questioned it because he was “advanced in years and an old man”. But the angel, Gabriel, told him “I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.” {Luke 1:19} He was hen struck mute.

Elizabeth did conceive and when Mary came for a visit, he babe within her jumped in her womb. Elizabeth proclaimed  “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! {Luke 1:42}

Elizabeth gave birth to her son and named him John, as the angel instructed. Zechariah wrote on the tablet his name is “John” and immediately his tongue was loosened. {Luke 1:57-66}

Zechariah was then filled with the Holy Spirit and began to prophesize.

John “grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.”  {Luke 1:80}

Lessons from Zechariah and Elizabeth:

1. The Lord can use the most unlikely to accomplish the impossible
2. There are consequences when we question the Lord
3. God makes himself known in unlikely ways
4. When we honor God, He provides for us
5. We can be filled with the Holy Spirit