“But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren…” (Luke 1:7)
Bible Reading: Luke 1:5-13
In his works of salvation, God commonly uses people. This was so when it came to the greatest act in saving history, the sending of his Son into the world.
He chooses a young woman (Mary) to provide the human nature his Son assumes. But even before that, he chooses a couple to give birth to the one who would go before him and prepare his way (John). Luke tells us three things about this man and woman, Zechariah and Elizabeth.
First, they are of priestly descent (Luke 1:5). They both belonged to the family of Aaron the brother of Moses, the first high priest in Israel. Collectively, Aaron’s descendants were set apart to serve God on behalf of the nation of Israel. It was fitting that when it came to finding a man and a woman to give birth to a “prophet of the Most High” (1:76), that God should choose a priestly couple.
Second, we are told that Zechariah and Elizabeth were both “righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord” (v. 6). That is not to say that they were perfect and never sinned, only to affirm that they were God-fearing, devoted and faithful. They genuinely sought and served the Lord with all their hearts and were careful to walk in all his ways.
Again, we have to say that it is fitting that God should choose such a couple to raise a child who is to “turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God” (v. 16). There is no hint of merit involved here – blameless as Zechariah and Elizabeth might have been, it was an act of grace that they were chosen to be the parents of John. Yet, their lives were such that they were well suited to train a young man in the ways of the Lord.
Thirdly, they had no children, “because Elizabeth was barren” (v. 7). Furthermore, “both were advanced in years,” suggesting that they were beyond the age when it might be expected to have children even had they been able to. As suited as they might have been in many ways to be the parents of John, there was this giant obstacle in the way.
Again, that is typically the way God works. He chooses people adapted in many ways to accomplish his purposes, but hindered, nevertheless, by some flaw or weakness. He does this to demonstrate that ultimately, what is happening is his work, not that of the human agent. His power and grace are demonstrated through human weakness. As the Apostle Paul was later to write, “God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, that no human being may boast in the presence of God” (1 Corinthians 1:29).
The same is true still today. We may be vessels well suited by nature and training for God to use, but anything we do for him is always an act of grace.
Closing Thoughts:
- Are you aware of weaknesses that might prevent you from serving God?
- Have you seen him use you in spite of them?