*Zechariah’s story is told in Luke 1
Who Is Zechariah?
Background and Occupation
- Zechariah was a priest in the Jewish temple.
- He belonged to the priestly division of Abijah.
- He was married to Elizabeth, a descendant of Aaron, meaning both were from a priestly lineage.
Time and Place
- Lived during the first century B.C.
- Operated in Jerusalem, particularly in the Temple.
Strengths and Accomplishments
Faithful Servant
- He was “righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly” (Luke 1:6).
Husband
- Stood by his wife Elizabeth, who was barren, indicating faithfulness and commitment.
Father to a Prophet
- Became the father of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Encountered the Divine
- Had a vision in the temple where the Angel Gabriel told him he would have a son (Luke 1:11-17).
Obedience
- Named his son John, as instructed by the Angel Gabriel, despite cultural norms (Luke 1:63).
Weaknesses and Mistakes
Doubt
- He doubted the Angel Gabriel’s message that he would have a son in his old age and as a result was unable to speak until John was born (Luke 1:18-20).
Initial Hesitation
- When it came time to name his son, the crowd expected him to be named after Zechariah, but he eventually obeyed the angel’s command by insisting on the name John (Luke 1:59-63).
Lessons from His Life
Faith Over Doubt
- Even righteous people have moments of doubt, but what matters is our obedience and eventual faith.
Divine Plans Unfold in His Timing
- Zechariah and Elizabeth had long given up the hope of having a child, yet God had a perfect time for fulfilling His promise.
The Power of Speech
- His inability to speak until John’s birth signifies the weight of our words and the consequences of doubting God’s word.
God’s Grace Covers Human Weakness
- Despite his doubt, God’s plan was still fulfilled in Zechariah’s life, showing the magnanimity of God’s grace.
Key Verses (NIV Version)
- Luke 1:6: “Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.”
- Luke 1:13: “But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.'”
- Luke 1:20: “And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
- Luke 1:63: “He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, ‘His name is John.'”