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. Luke 1:20
Unable to Speak – Luke 1:5-23 (December 9)
Today, we are going to move from Old Testament prophecies for a moment and visit a part of the Christmas story. Zechariah and Elizabeth were living lives that were pleasing to the Lord, but they had an unfulfilled hope.
In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. Luke 1:5-7
Desiring a child and yet unable to conceive, they kept doing what they knew was right in the midst of the heartache.
8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” Luke 1:8-17
Crazy Experience
Can you imagine? You are going about your job, and then an angel appears right in front of you, telling you that the impossible is about to happen and how to raise that impossibility when he arrives. Zechariah was justifiably skeptical.
18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 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. 20 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.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 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. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. Luke 1:18-23
To Believe or Not to Believe
Gabriel has come from the presence of God to bring good news for Zechariah and Elizabeth, and then Zechariah does not believe the word of the Lord. When we believe God’s words to us, it is credited to us as righteousness. When we don’t believe, there are consequences.
Zechariah was silenced. This seems to me like both a consequence of his unbelief and a protection for him. He was protected from speaking and spreading his unbelief to others. He is unable to speak until his baby is born and he shows his belief in the message Gabriel brought. Then, he is miraculously given back his speech.
Action Step:
Is there anything God is trying to tell you in your life right now that you are tempted to not believe? What way can you step out in faith to demonstrate your belief in the words of God? If you can’t think of something personal, what does the Bible say that you can step out in today? Don’t be silenced by unbelief this season – share the God’s good news with others!
Prayer:
Dear God, Reveal to us the ways that we are being silenced in unbelief. Help us to hear Your words, believe them, and take action in our belief. Don’t let us miss You doing the impossible in our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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