I Will Wait
“Silence is golden”?
Tell
that to the empty-nester parents who just dropped off their youngest child at
college and are heading home…alone.
Tell
that to the parents of a sixteen-year-old driver as they wait for him to return
home from his first solo flight.
Tell
that to the parents staring over the rails of a crib, straining to hear their newborn
breathe or make any audible sound.
Tell that to Zechariah and Elizabeth who
have never had the chance to experience any of the above.
“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 upright in the sight of God, observing
all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no
children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in
years.” (Luke 1:5-7)
The questions circle like vultures over Elizabeth’s barrenness: “Doesn’t
the law tell us that fertility is among the blessings of obedience to God?” “Why
doesn’t he answer our prayers?” “Is he listening?” “What have I done to cause
this disgrace?”
At least when they were younger, the candle of hope burned brightly. But
no longer. Not even a flicker remains – just a wisp of black smoke curling
skyward, leaving the aging couple waiting and wondering.
Yet life must continue on for this righteous couple – even in the
silence.
“Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest
before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to
go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the
burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying
outside.” (Vss. 8-10)
After traveling from the hill country of Judea, it is Zechariah’s turn
to serve at the Temple. Each of the more than eighteen thousand priests had
this privilege during two non-consecutive weeks each year. Yet Zechariah bears
a heavy heart as he proceeds on this holy journey. The silence from God
regarding a child is deafening.
The issue of a child is not the only area where Zechariah’s questions
have been unanswered. It has been 400 years since the last recorded message
from one of God’s prophets. 400 years of offering incense representing the
people’s prayers ascending into heaven. Yet when the smoke disappeared, so did
many of their hopes. Yet some came again this morning; desperate for a word
from God to break through the hush that hung over Israel.
As dawn breaks on this fateful morning, silhouettes can be seen
purposefully moving about the temple preparing for the morning sacrifices. To
keep order and humility, lots are cast for the morning services that need to be
performed. Despite the lottery-like odds, Zechariah hits the jackpot. God has
chosen him to burn the incense on this day. The hope of every priest has been
handed to him. From this day forward he will be considered “rich and holy.”
As he approaches the golden altar, Zechariah is alone in the silence…or
so he thinks. “Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right
side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was
gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah;
your prayer has been heard…’” (Vss. 11-13a)
On this day, Gabriel’s voice breaks the silence…and the message will thunder
across the generations.
“…Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to
give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will
rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He
is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the
Holy Spirit even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back 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 fathers to their children and the
disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared
for the Lord.” (Luke 1:13b-17)
But even this saint of a man expresses
doubt after such a prolonged drought: Zechariah moistens dry lips and haltingly
asks the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well
along in years.” (vs. 18)
And for this moment of disbelief in the power of the Almighty, another
ten-month period of silence will ensue for the nation of Israel.
“The angel answered, ‘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. And now you
will be silent and not be able to speak until the day this happens, because you
did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.’
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so
long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized
he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but
remained unable to speak.” (Vss. 19-22)
When the time came for Zechariah to stand on the temple steps and bless
the assembled worshippers, he remained speechless. Yet God’s plan continued to unfold
in Elizabeth’s once barren womb.
“When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this
his wife Elizabeth became pregnant
and for five months remained in seclusion. ‘The Lord has done this for me,’ she
said. ‘In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among
the people.’” (Vss. 23-25)
Don't let the silence deceive you! God is at work. “What,
then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be
against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how
will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:31-33)
Prayer
“Lord
Jesus, what a joy and delight to know that you watch over the way of the
righteous. Grant us the understanding that we are like your chosen ones,
Zechariah and Elizabeth. Because of the blood of Jesus, we are upright in your
eyes! Help us to fervently be like those who were waiting for Zechariah’s
return. May we also devote our lives to prayer and worship. Thank you for
hearing our prayers and answering, ‘yes,’ to those that are aligned with your
purposes. Through the study of your Word, help our hearts to be so intertwined
with yours that our prayers divinely mesh with your plans. When we hear your
voice, help us to respond in faith – even when we can’t comprehend what you’re
doing. Help us in those periods of prolonged silence to stay on our knees, trusting
that you are preparing to birth a plan at just the right time and in just the
right place. Grant us the wisdom, Holy Spirit, to follow the principles of the
Nazirite vow. Show us how you want us to be set apart from the world around us.
Grant us the desire, discernment, and ability to prepare the way for Jesus to
be introduced to those in our lives. Help us to die to ourselves so that all
glory will be given to you. For you took away disgrace in our lives as you hung
on the cross in our place. You are the fountain from which blessing upon
blessing springs forth. You are not speechless…and neither should we be. To
your Name alone be all glory, and honor, and praise!” Ω
