Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/430

 Meanwhile the  people  without  in  the  Temple  were  expecting Zachary, and  wondered  at  his  long  delay. When he  at  length appeared, he  could  not  speak  to  them,  except  by  signs;  and  the people knew  that  he  had  seen  a vision  in  the  Temple. After the days  of  his  ministry  were  accomplished,  Zachary  departed  to his  own  house.

The promise  of  the  Redeemer. By  announcing  to  Zachary  that  his holy son  should  precede  the  Redeemer,  the  angel  foretold  the  speedy advent of  the  Messias.

The Divinity  of  Jesus  Christ.  The  words  of  the  angel  testified  that the Redeemer  was  God:  "He  shall”,  said  Gabriel,  alluding  to  the  son of  Zachary,  "convert  many  of  the  children  of  Israel  to  the  Lord  their God, and  he  shall  go  before  Him.”  Now,  who  is  meant  by  "Him”? The  Lord  God  is  meant;  and  therefore  the  Redeemer,  before  whom John  was  to  go,  must  be  the  Lord  God  Himself.

The power  of  persevering  prayer.  Zachary  and  Elizabeth  had probably prayed  for  many  years  that  they  might  have  a son. Their prayers seemed  to  be  offered  up  in  vain,  but  nevertheless  they  persevered in  laying  the  great  desire  of  their  hearts  before  God. At last they were  heard,  and  received  from  God  much  more  than  they  had asked for. They had  asked  for  a son  who  might  succeed  his  father  in the  priestly  office,  and  they  received  a son  who  was  to  become  a great Saint, a prophet  of  God,  and  the  precursor  of  the  Divine  Redeemer. This was  the  rich  reward  of  their  perseverance  in  prayer.

Steadfastness. Zachary  and  Elizabeth  are  models  of  steadfastness in what  is  right. They lived  in  an  evil  time  when  most  of  the  Israelites,  and  even  most  of  the  priests,  had  grown  lax  in  the  service  of  God, and no  longer  worshipped  Him  in  their  hearts. But in  spite  of  the  evil example of  those  around  them,  Zachary  and  Elizabeth  remained  true to God,  and  faithfully  observed  His  commandments.

True justice.  Zachary  and  Elizabeth  were  not  only  just  in  the  eyes of men,  as  were  the  hypocritical  Pharisees,  but  were  "just  before  God”. Many  people  think  it  is  enough  to  appear  righteous  in  the  eyes  of  the world.  This  may  be  sufficient  to  save  us  from  being  put  into  prison, but  it  will  not  prove  enough  to  obtain  for  us  an  entrance  into  heaven.