ISSL Reflections December 4 2022 Luke 1:8–20 Post 2

IV.
Notice the exchange between Gabriel and Zechariah –

Gabriel: “… Zechariah … your prayer has been heard….
Zechariah: “How do I know this will happen? For I am old …
Gabriel: “… my words .., will be fulfilled in their time.

Is Zechariah on good ground to question Gabriel or should such questioning be kept to oneself?

V.
Luke 1:8-20 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Once when he was serving as priest before God during his section’s turn of duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I know that this will happen? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.” The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.”

VI.
It seems to me Gabriel just might be going overboard in taking away Zechariah’s voice. What do you think?

But on the other hand, maybe Zechariah and Elizabeth have been praying for a child for so long they have lost hope and perhaps a reminder that answers to prayers are on God’s schedule and not theirs is in order?

How long do we pray when we feel we are not being heard?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *