Luke 1:16-17 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
I think Zechariah’s reaction to the angel’s news (essentially, “Seriously?!?”) is pretty reasonable. This is, I think, the first miraculous birth in the Bible. There’s no precedent here. So I can understand some incredulity. But I’m a bit stumped by the angel’s reaction: Because of his disbelief, Zechariah will be mute until the baby is born.
Luke 1:18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
Is this punishment so that he can think about his misdeed of disbelief? Is this reassurance during the 9 months wait? “I still can’t speak, so Elizabeth must still be pregnant. Everything is ok.” Is this grace–enforced silence so that he and everyone around him understands that God is with them, that this birth is miraculous?
Luke 1:19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.
Precious Savior, There is so much in this life that I don’t understand. Thank You for Your presence, Your grace, Your sovereignty. When we encounter things in life that just don’t make sense, help us to be still and know that You are God (Ps 46:10), that You are with us. Always. Amen.
Luke 1:20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
Have a blessed day.