To Us a Son Is GivenParaugs

A Strange Beginning

If you were writing a story about history’s most important Birth, a Birth that would cause armies of angels to explode in praise, a Birth that would be Good News for all the peoples of the world, then the opening scene probably wouldn’t include an older woman who was unable to have kids. But, then again, you didn’t write the Christmas story. God did.

It looked as if Zechariah and Elizabeth had been forgotten by God, particularly in a culture where children were viewed as a sign of God’s blessing. Was there a secret sin they were hiding? Or had God simply abandoned them? What was the problem with this couple?

Luke’s Gospel tells us the problem wasn’t with this couple. Zechariah and Elizabeth were “righteous before God,” and they walked “blamelessly.” That doesn’t mean the couple was perfect, but it should keep us from concluding that God was punishing them by not providing a child. The years of painful longing were serving another, much greater purpose, though neither Zechariah nor Elizabeth could see it—not yet, at least. We can hear them crying out with the psalmist:

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me? (Psalm 13:1)

Even though this faithful Israelite couple must have felt abandoned, God was right there. He saw every tear, and, as we’ll soon see, He was conspiring for their joy.

Simple Summary

Zechariah and Elizabeth weren’t perfect, but they loved God and obeyed His commands. However, God had not given them a child. And now that Elizabeth was too old to have children, she and her husband probably wondered why God seemed to be silent. They had no idea God was going to use them in His Plan to bring Salvation to Israel and to the entire world.

Pray

Thank God that His Promises are sure, regardless of how we feel or the circumstances we face.