December 1: Preparing the way

Growing up near Pensacola during World War II, we watched OS26 Kingfisher seaplanes as pilots made bombing runs against fixed targets. Our government was preparing the way for young men to train for war. About two thousand years ago, God prepared the way for the coming Messiah to wage war against sin.

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

The story begins with a consecrated couple, Zacharias (Zechariah, NIV) and Elizabeth (vv. 5-7). The priests, following the Old Testament mold, were divided into 24 orders. Each served the needs of the temple for a week, twice a year. When the Bible notes Zacharias was chosen "by lot" (verse 9), we realize the choice was God's way of putting him in the temple at the right time in history. We see the same directive power at work in Acts 1:26, the choice of Matthias to take the apostolic place Judas Iscariot forfeited.

Both Zacharias and Elizabeth were upright in God's sight. They went beyond just keeping regulations of the law, though they carefully observed those. Nevertheless, their lack of a child constantly nagged at them.

Their sorrow was about to be canceled in that they received a joyous message from an angel (vv. 11-15a). As Zacharias ministered in the temple offering incense on the Altar of Incense, the angel appeared on the right side of the Altar (v. 11). That position signified a place of blessing and power, as is seen in Stephen's vision of Jesus standing on the right hand of God (Acts 7:55-56).

The angel tried to calm Zacharias with an assurance of peace. He further enlightened him with an astounding statement-Elizabeth would give birth to a son to be named John. The boy was to be a joy and delight, but his ministry would exceed anything they could imagine. John would later break into history in an unexpected way, embodying the life and message of Elijah in preparing the way for the Messiah's appearance (v. 17).

The angel imposed a divine sign (vv. 18-20). In words reminiscent of Abraham's reaction when he was told he would father a son in his old age (Gen. 17:17), Zachariah wavered. He and his wife had gone beyond normal ages for starting a family.

The angel identified himself as Gabriel, one who stands "in the presence of God." Michael alone is called an archangel (Jude 6), but Gabriel apparently has a special role in Israel's history (see Daniel 8: 16 and 9:21). The same being announced to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus (vv. 26, 31). Gabriel left Zachariah with a token of the truth of his message. The priest would be unable to speak until the prophecies were fulfilled (v. 20). He spoke after the baby was born and circumcised. He agreed with Elizabeth the child was to be named John (vv. 60, 63-64).

We turn next to Zacharias's song of deliverance (vv. 68-69). Although we focus on the first two verses, note the verb tense through verse 74. The Bible speaks of events as though they'd already transpired. Zacharias began by praising the God of Israel, the one who visited and redeemed Israel. The language could apply to the times of the exodus from Egypt, but the past event is also prophecy. Looking to the future, he spoke of the "horn of salvation" through the "house of David" as though it already existed.

Zacharias spoke to the baby John and lined out his astounding ministry (vv. 76-79). The verbs are future tense as he prophesied John's impact. He would be prophet of the Most High God (v. 76). He was to prepare the way by preaching repentance and forgiveness (v. 77). This message of salvation, a light to those in darkness and the shadow of death, would be the prelude to God's "dayspring" (KJV), the Son of Righteousness. He would guide feet into the way of peace.