Christmas ViewpointSample

Elizabeth's Favour

'In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside…

When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favour and taken away my disgrace among the people."'

Elizabeth lived in a time when a woman's identity was wrapped up in her ability to bear children. Barrenness was considered a sentence due to the woman's "sinful standing" before God. Therefore, if a woman was childless, it must be punishment for some deep, dark depravity.

Elizabeth is introduced to us as 'righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly…' Through decades of infertility, Elizabeth remained faithful to her Lord. Today's scripture is evidence of God's blessing through Elizabeth's declaration that God '…has shown his favour and taken away my disgrace among the people.'

The definition of the biblical word 'favour' can be described as 'demonstrated delight' by God. To have the Lord's favour means that the Lord is in unity with an individual and has shown gracious kindness towards them. When we think of someone who has the favour of God, we think of someone in whose life we see tangible evidence of God's approval.

We all can identify with Elizabeth's statement that the Lord 'has shown his favour and taken away 'our' disgrace.'

We cannot buy our place in the hallowed halls of the righteous; it is a gift of God through Jesus, just as Elizabeth's baby boy was a gift. God turns our disgrace into favour.

Viewpoint Reflection

Has there ever been a disgrace (shame, scandal, humiliation) in which God has turned around and brought you favour (kindness, delight, grace)?

Are you presently experiencing unanswered prayer? What can you glean from Elizabeth's story to keep you on your journey of righteousness toward God?