Also, was Zachariah struck deaf as well as mute?
Luke 1:62
KJV - 62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
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I have some very firm beliefs about this awesome High Priest! The priesthood took turns, a rotation schedule for being the High Priest. It was a very strenuous position, The ability to lift a shoulder of a bull and heave it before the LORD is not for the faint of heart. Do this while wearing 8 pieces of heavy linen with heavy stones in the desert climate. Point! So, it was Zachariah's turn. The Bible is not clear how long he had been in the chaste, however he doing his job in the Holy Place where the Altar of Incense and Candlestick and Table of Shewbread were housed. The Angel of the LORD appeared to him and revealed to him some mighty things. Outside the people stopped hearing the bells ringing. (the golden bells around the hem of the High Priest garments) They thought Zachariah had been struck dead! (This did happen, read Josephus) No, He was just in there getting some marching orders! 1. Take Elijah's Robe home (It would become John's trademark) 2. Go Bless your wife with a child 3. be mute not deaf (amazing what people will do when you can't speak) 4. lose your job (Must be perfect to be a priest!) 5. wait it out (baby in 9 months) 6. Name him John 7 Teach him about ME! Zachariah, was a willing vessel, just like the Blessed Virgin Mary! John was the Forerunner! Every King must have a Forerunner! To run into the town and proclaim "The King is Coming!" Why should the King of All kings be any less? His father was a willing vessel. When God ask something of us, we should become humble willing vessels. We do not know the eternal implications of our simple actions. I ask? How many apple seeds are in an apple seed? God ask so little of us in comparison to how humongous He is! He just wishes a willing vessel. What would you have me do today, Lord? Open your closet and think just for a moment, Lord I have no clue what today holds, What would you choose for me to wear today? I am willing! Close your mouth, be dumb and just listen to what the Lord has to say to you. I was surprised, God talks all day long. I just wasn't listening. Then, after I listened, I didn't want to obey. We must hear and be obedient to truly understand the lesson of Zachariah. Be Blessed Lena
Circumstances 1. Both Zachariah and Elizabeth were righteous before God - not sinless but righteous 2. walked in the commandments and ordinances of the LORD 3. they were aged, and barren - customary beliefs they are cursed by God. Yet they continued to serve God and he continued to serve as the high priest. Imagine what would they be suffering... surely you can expect many to question how can their own high priest be cursed by God? Zech ignored the eyes of those who looked at them in that way and continued to be faithful in his calling, which was to be a priest unto God. 4. multitude were praying outside at the hour of incense (regular praying time) 5. the angel appeared to him and stood on the RIGHT SIDE of the ALTAR of INCENSE Lessons: When we walked righteously before God, it is not necessarily we also always will look successful in the eyes of men. We may even be seem to be in bad shape. But we have to remain faithful to God and keep serving Him. We have to be faithful in our prayers. When God chose to answer is His choosing - because He is God. IF its out choosing, then He is probably not Almighty. He is Sovereign so timing is in His choosing. John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit even from the mother's womb. This is NOT in the normal way AND GOD does not conform to any ways we think He should be. He is Sovereign. His way is the WAY. Today, if we tell someone that God filled a non believer with the Holy Spirit many would start to show up their theology and challenge the possibility. Our God is GOD. We cannot box Him up by whatever we know or can understand. We have to follow Him, not He follow us. We have to come to His level to see His doing, not He lower Himself to us.
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