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 Copyright © 2007 The Salvation Army USA Eastern Territory. All rights reserved. |
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Women of the Bible December 2007 by Gladys DeMichael
ELIZABETH – A LIFE OF CONSECRATION
Background: God always keeps His promises! For hundreds of years, God had been telling the people of Israel that He would send the Messiah. One who would do away with all the sacrifices and priesthood. One who would provide a direct bridge to God Himself; whose sacrifice would provide redemption for all time. Included in this promise was a prophet who would get the people ready for the Messiah’s coming. The events in the first chapter of Luke are just the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s greatest promise to His people.
Zacharias and Elizabeth, whose name means “God is my Oath”, were residents of a small village in the hill country of Judea, in a desert tract west of the Dead Sea. It was about four miles north of Jerusalem possibly near Ain Karem. Although we do not know the main vocation of Zacharias, he was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, a descendent of Aaron (Luke 1:5; 1 Chronicles 24:7-19). Zacharias had a significant ancestry that qualified him for this coming God-given task, as did his wife, Elizabeth. She was not only the wife of a priest but the daughter of a family of priests of the house of Aaron. She also bore the name of Aaron’s wife Elisheba (Exodus 6:23), the Hebrew for Elizabeth.
As the wife of a priest, Elizabeth gave loving attention to her husband’s priestly vestments and to her home, where godly people came to talk over Temple matters. They were just plain, hard-working village people present in the city to fulfill their religious duty. Three words are used to describe Zacharias and Elizabeth (1:6): righteous – they followed God’s law in the most technical sense of strict legal observance, obedient – in all the Lord’s commands (moral obedience) and ordinances (ceremonial obedience) and blameless – both lived lives that were pleasing to God; outwardly obedient to the Law of Moses and inwardly obedient to the Lord.
Biblical Truth: Personal holiness was important to Zacharias and Elizabeth. For God’s people today, can it be any less so? Since you have heard all about Christ and have learned the truth that is in Jesus….throw off your former way of life. There must be spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness – righteous, holy, and true”. Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT.
Why were Zacharias and Elizabeth chosen by God to bear the son who would make ready the way for the Messiah? They had priestly blood and lived upright lives. Their ancestors were faithful to train them in godliness. Elizabeth’s family heritage and faithful training in the truths about God that were passed on to her prepared and equipped her to walk bravely through a difficult and pain-filled life.
Biblical Truth: Training one’s children to love and serve the Lord is a parent’s primary responsibility. “Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
When angels appear in biblical texts, big things happen! The message from Gabriel had come first to Zacharias when he went into the Holy Place of the Temple of the Lord to burn incense and to pray. Upon hearing the angel’s news, he was so overwhelmed with unbelief that he lost his ability to speak and would remain mute until all the things that had been foretold had come to pass (vs20). A multitude was praying in the court outside. It is probable that Elizabeth was with them. It is easy to imagine the joy and wonder that filled her heart when she learned of the good news that the angel had brought to her husband. We can be sure that she received the message of this miracle in a spirit of humility and reverent responsibility. A son would be born to her!
The problem of childlessness experienced by Elizabeth has a special significance in the Bible. To be childless was taken as a lack of God’s blessing on the couple. The Jewish Rabbis said that seven people were excommunicated from God and the list began, “a Jew who has no wife, or a Jew who has a wife and who has no child.” Childlessness was a valid ground for divorce. Undoubtedly, Zacharias thought of his personal and domestic tragedy as he performed his priestly prayers on that day. How did Elizabeth keep going day after day with the reality of her childless life? She must have faithfully spent time with her God, meditating on His truths about her personal value as a woman. She depended on her Lord for strength and joy with a determination to bring glory to Him in all she did, including suffering.
Biblical Truth: A woman who loves God can depend on the remarkable, supernatural power of her God as she faces each day. Depend on this promise; “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Quote: If you are enduring testing, be aware of the clear choices before you. If you trust in worldly power, wealth, friends or family, neighbors, or your own understanding, you will be disappointed. But “the Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him” (Psalm 46:1). Trust Him, and be filled with joy, peace and hope. (Emily Gardiner Neal)
Elizabeth chose to remain out of sight during her pregnancy, quietly spending her time in the presence of Zacharias and the Lord she loved. This righteous couple had much to ponder. Their lives had been turned upside down by a visitation from Gabriel, a miraculous conception, and the significance of their child’s role in the renewal of their nation (“And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God” – 1:20). It was indeed the advent of a new age of salvation, and the events to soon follow would deepen the sense that God was bringing to pass a major turning point in history.
Read Luke 1: 26-56: In the sixth month that Elizabeth was with child, her cousin Mary, the Virgin, now in Nazareth, received word that she would bear a son and that His name would be called Jesus. Mary had greater faith when the angel explained to her that Elizabeth also conceived a son, old as she is. The women now had a common bond. They knew that with God nothing is impossible. With new rejoicing in her heart, Mary traveled straight to Zacharias’ house, and greeted Elizabeth. When she heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb leaped and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. She recognized in Mary a fulfillment of the promise of God Himself, as the mother of the coming Messiah. She is the first to acknowledge Jesus as Lord! “Why am I so blessed that the mother of my Lord visits me?” (1:43) Elizabeth believed God and His Word.
Biblical Truth: The word of God is the person of Jesus Christ but it is also the gospel which is preached about Him. “The Word of the Lord stands forever” (1 Peter 1:25 NIV).
For three months Elizabeth entertained in her house the mother of the child who one day would be acclaimed the Christ. Though with child herself, and filled with great dreams for him, Elizabeth’s humility and unselfish spirit acknowledged that Mary would deliver a child greater than her own. Imagine their conversation during that three month visit. Undoubtedly, Elizabeth had many words of wisdom for Mary, who was young enough to be her daughter. Yet in their common experience of approaching motherhood the age difference became insignificant as they joyfully planned for the birth of their sons, who would be so near the same age. There would certainly have been times of praise and prayer as they shared the same strong belief in God. One wonders if they had any premonition of what was to come at the end of their sons’ lives. Mary’s son would be crucified on a cross by an angry mob. Elizabeth’s son would be beheaded by Herod, ruler of Galilee (Matthew 14:10).
Shortly after Mary’s return to her home, Elizabeth gave birth to her son. In Palestine the birth of a boy was an occasion of great joy. Friends and local musicians gathered near the house for celebration. When the birth was announced and it was a boy, the musicians broke into music and song. If it was a girl, the musicians went silently and regretfully away. There was a saying, “The birth of a male child causes universal joy, but the birth of a female child causes universal sorrow.” In Zacharias house there was double joy. At last they had a child and the child was a son. As is still the custom today, on the eighth day, neighbors and relatives gathered for the circumcising and naming of the child. Some of those present called him Zacharias after his father, but Elizabeth, remembering what the angel had said, declared positively, “He shall be called John” (1:60). The crowd was perplexed and using sign language asked Zacharias what he wanted him named. Asking for a tablet, Zacharias wrote, “His name is to be John” (1:63). John means “Jehovah’s gift” or “God is gracious”. It was the name which God had ordered to be given to the child and it described the parents’ gratitude for an unexpected joy.
With his son’s naming, Zacharias’ mouth was opened, his tongue loosed and he began praising God! This song (1: 67-80) is called “Benedictus”, which means blessed. In it Zacharias praises God in prophecy for the coming Messiah and His salvation (68-75, 78, 79) and for the role of his son, John, in preparing the way for the Lord (76, 77).
What a joyful moment for Elizabeth. Her husband could speak again and at her side was her precious son. The hand of the Lord was with her. Like his father, John the Baptist became just and holy and ministered unto the people. Elizabeth’s story ends as her son’s story begins to unfold. Hopefully, she lived to rejoice in his early ministry as he called many to repentance. The tribute of John the Baptist to Jesus as the One mightier than himself and his humble spirit of renunciation when he said, “He must increase but I must decrease” (John 3:30), are a reminder of his virtuous mother. Elizabeth’s lasting memorial as the great mother of John the Baptist is found in the words of Christ when he said, “Among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11).
Ponder – Praise – Pray:
Prayer O Lord, I pray that throughout this day, moment by moment, I may experience an awareness of Your unfailing presence. You already know the challenges I will face. Help me to remain righteous, obedient and blameless. I want my life to be a praise offering to You. Amen
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