Zacharias was righteous and blameless

 

Luke 1:15-17. All that we know of Zacharias has been recorded in Luke chapter 1. This is a priestly gospel, beginning and ending in the temple, and in these early verses Zacharias, a priest, is burning incense at the golden altar. He is introducing a fragrance which will pervade all the pages that will follow. It has often been said that Zacharias was a priest both morally and officially. What he was in the temple, he was also in his home, a righteous man who walked obediently, prayed constantly, and served faithfully.

Israel’s large priesthood was divided into twenty-four courses.

Each course ministered twice in the year. According to the historian JOSEPHUS there were then twenty thousand officiating priests in the land and an individual priest might expect to minister at the golden altar only once in his lifetime.

This then was a great occasion for Zacharias, and indeed it was to be greater still. This good man was to be privileged to hear the very voice of heaven after four hundred silent years since the days of Malachi the prophet. An angel of the Lord conveyed the message to him. It was an awesome experience. It is not surprising that the aged man was troubled, but the message was prefaced with the first of many ‘Fear nots’ in Luke’s gospel.

Zacharias, with his godly wife, had been supplicating for a son. 

There can be little doubt that this was not a selfish prayer. Were they concerned about the state of the nation? Were they, in common with many in Israel, looking for the promised Messiah? Or, at least, were they anxious for a priestly son to continue in the ministry of the aged father? Their prayers were heard. Elisabeth would bear a son who would be great in the sight of the Lord. To the old priest and his wife he would bring joy and gladness, and many would rejoice in his ministry.

For how long Zacharias and Elisabeth had prayed for this we do not know but the record is for our encouragement that we, as they, should continue to wait upon the Lord.

Notice, too, that while Zacharias ministered at the golden altar and the fragrant incense rose to Jehovah, a multitude of people were praying also. How good it is when saints unite in prayer—and as for God, He will answer in His own chosen time.

Author: Flanigan, J. (1999). August 30th: Zacharias—Righteous and Blameless (Luke 1:5–17). In Ivan Steeds (Ed.), Day by Day with Bible Characters (p. 259). West Glamorgan, UK: Precious Seed.