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. Luke 1:5-6
“Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were of Aaron’s line… The couple lived in the hill country (Luke 1:39), but housing in the temple was available for priests on duty…Zechariah’s division is on duty, and within the division Zechariah is chosen by lot (a method for discerning God’s will, Acts 1:26) to burn incense on the altar within the Holy Place. The people attending the hour of prayer wait for the priest’s reappearance and his blessing…The couple are of Aaron’s line, Zechariah is a priest, they are blamelessly pious in all of God’s commands and ordinances, and the word of God comes in the temple.”
Fred B. Craddock in Luke (Interpretation; Louisville: WJKP, 2009) 25-26.
This couple represents number five of ten individuals or couples in the New Testament that we highlighted this past weekend at the CBMC retreat. We described them as Zechariah the servant and Elizabeth the supporter.
Zechariah’s call to duty likely meant that life went on hold. When he also was chosen by lot to burn the incense it positioned him to serve as the conduit for delivering God’s blessing to the people. Undoubtedly his service was only possible with support from his wife, Elizabeth.
To say that they were blameless is not to imply perfection but rather people of integrity. They were set apart and available for God and His service. When their number was called, they stepped forward. Is God calling you to a season of service to be a conduit of blessing?
To say that He was picked by lot points to the working of God’s providence. It was no accident. Sometimes God does the same for us. He calls us to relocate, to adjust our priorities and time. Why? He may just want us to bless large numbers of people through solitary service.