Sermon Tone Analysis
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INTRODUCTION
*Sending email or text waiting for answer > can be agonizing
Phone out of power, text failed to send, email went to junk mail, person is driving and can’t answer
Cannot impose same immediate gratification on God’s answers
Daniel waited for answer to his prayer—didn’t know why
Daniel falls to ground mute > Angel strengthens him
Luke’s classical style of writing changes from vv. 1-4 to a style seen in LXX
Connects historical setting to the OT > Strikingly similar to OT atmosphere
John identified as successor of OT prophets & last of OT type prophets
Worship at temple plays an important role in the first 2 chapters
I. WAITING FOR GOD TO ANSWER (1:5-7)
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah.
And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
In the days of King Herod > Scripture often mentions kings that reined in order to establish time & place in history > events occur toward end of reign
Herod the Great ruled from 37–4 BC over area of Judea, Samaria, Galilee & much of Parea > Wanted to be known for great building projects
Not a descendant of Jacob, but of Esau > not rightful ruler of Israel > client-king of Rome
Ruthless & treacherous > paranoia killed own family in fear of losing power
Said it’s safer to be Herod’s pig than his son
Killed hundreds of innocent children after hearing king of Jews born in Bethlehem
Zechariah = YHWH has remembered > fitting considering what God does here
A priest from the priestly division of Abijah—8th priestly division (1 Chronicles 24:1-10) one of 24 divisions set up by kind David according to priestly families
After the exile, only 4 of these divisions returned, and they were divided up into 24 sub-groups under the original 24 family names
So many priests, each division served 1 week 2 X’s per year > Even then, it was a subdivision of the divisions that served (not enough room)
Priests were respected for being set apart by God for privilege of serving in the Temple
Zechariah’s qualification was enhanced by marriage to daughter of Aaron
Elizabeth—Descendant of Aaron > her father also served as a priest
Cousin (kinsman) of Mary
Now elderly
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.
7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
Righteous before God, walking blamelessly > not sinless, but truly godly couple wholly devoted to the Lord–even through hard times
Righteous because of faith:
Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness > tough times > sojourner
God doesn’t promise righteous won’t have trials > TRUST
He does want us to have FAITH to HOPE God has greater plans
Had no child, because Elizabeth was barren—in those days bareness sign of divine displeasure
Barrenness common w/ prominent OT women > God provides son of promise
Other barren women:
Sarah—birthed Isaac
Rachel—birthed Joseph
Hannah—birthed Samuel
Manoah’s wife—birthed Samson
People should’ve lived expectantly—thought to selves, not this time!
Israel had firm belief that God controls the womb
Children a blessing & honor from God
No children was punishment from God & shame socially
Z & E not childless not because of sin, but God’s purpose
Community believed there was probably some kind of sin in their lives that kept them from having children
Advanced in years—Too told for childbearing > Reminds us of Abraham & Sarah > comparison w/ Abraham & Sarah give us aroma of HOPE
Impossible for Zechariah to get Elizabeth pregnant
No hope of having child & no hope of removing public disgrace
Amplifies that God does the impossible—miraculous intervention
Impossible also for Mary to be pregnant since she was a virgin—John & Jesus were both a MIRACLE CHILD OF PROMISE
Righteous before God, walking blamelessly—Two characteristics (RIGHTEOUS & BARREN) don’t seem to go together
Righteous should result in being prosperous & prolific > #Blessed
Expect something more like—BARREN & BITTER > not Barren & Blameless
Years grew their FAITH, HOPE, & LOVE > Fell deeper in love
Husbands allowed to divorce barren wife—because of public disgrace & lack of heir
Godly men stick with their wives!
Mary unmarried & virgin—birthed Jesus [Joseph stuck w/ her]
Barrenness caused others to assume God is not pleased > But, Z & E feared God, not man!
II.
GOD SPEAKS (1:8-17)
Luke echoes language from the beginning of a number of prophetic books (cf.
Isa 1:1; Jer 1:2–3; Hos 1:1; Amos 1:1; Mic 1:1; Zeph 1:1), suggesting the continuity of this account with the ongoing story of God’s dealings with Israel.
All of these accounts begin w/ announcement of the word of the LORD came, or the VISION of Isaiah, or the Words of Amos > GOD SPEAKS
Strangely SILENT about word or vision here > LORD will send a word
Similar to birth of Samuel to barren Hannah—She dedicated him to serve God
400 years of silence between Malachi and events of Luke 1 > Word of LORD is coming
8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
To offer the incense considered a great privilege:
Estimated 20,000 priests in Zechariah’s day
Once in a lifetime priest allowed to offer incense at the altar in the temple [Mishnah, Talmud 5:2] > Privilege not given to everyone
Greatest day in Zechariah’s life as a priest—thought he had been passed by
Chosen by lot—not just chance
Casting lots understood as way of circumventing human will
Sovereignty of God worked out in His perfect timing
Nothing in our life is a mistake!
We now have the Holy Spirit
Don’t need Urim & Thummim
Don’t need to cast lots > *Casting lots to play soccer or student leadership
Holy Spirit can speak & lead
[Pictures] Incense represents prayers of God’s people rising like sweet smelling fragrance to God (Ps.
141:2; Rev. 5:8; 8:3-4)
Replenished 2X’s/day–before morning sacrifice & after the evening sacrifice
Coals from fire placed in golden bowl & incense placed on coals > taken into Holy place & offered on altar of incense
Priestly duty to keep incense burning on altar before Ark = God’s Throne
Zechariah was closer to God’s presence than every other priest other than High Priest
Altar of incense just outside Holy of Holies > considered part of Holy of Holies
10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
Separation of priest who ENTERED & People that prayed OUTSIDE
As people see smoke rising heavenward > outside praying
Ritual was a reflection of reality of prayers rising to God’s throne
11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
There appeared to him an angel of the Lord—Phrase occurs some 60 X’s in OT > denoting angel coming to aid or communicate divine revelation
Not given description of angel’s appearance [magnificent]
Not mentioned because focus is the Good News of coming Messiah
Angels don’t steal God’s glory!
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